A steady thunk, thunk told me that a sulking Rollo was kicking his heels against his chair legs. Although I understood Lord Henry’s reasoning, he hadn’t done me any favors. It would tax my skills to work with two such different pupils, especially when one of them resented having to take lessons. It also made delivering my article even more difficult. At this rate, I’d never get away from the house.

Rollo came to my rescue. “Can’t we at least go out and see what happened?” he begged.

Lord Henry hesitated, and before he could deny the request, I hurried to say, “I doubt he’ll be able to concentrate while he’s so curious. Perhaps I could make it his writing exercise. He could write an essay on the aftermath of the riot.” Worried that I sounded overly eager, I added, “That is, if you don’t think it’s too dangerous. We would stay within sight of the house.”

“I would like to read this essay when it’s written,” Lord Henry said.

Rollo bounced out of his seat. “So I can go out?”

“After you’ve finished eating and when Miss Newton is ready.”

Rollo immediately set to wolfing down the rest of his breakfast with great enthusiasm, his sulk entirely forgotten.

Flora drifted into the room, dressed in a morning dress but with her hair still loose. “You’re up early,” her uncle remarked dryly.

“I had such a restful night, there was no need to linger in bed.”

“A restful night?” Rollo asked with a snort, and Olive giggled.

Flora turned around from serving herself from the sideboard. “What’s so funny about that?” she asked.

“You didn’t hear anything odd last night?” Rollo asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Was there anything to hear?”

“Only a huge riot that came up the avenue, with hundreds of people shouting and throwing rocks and setting fires.” He waved his arms vigorously as he spoke.

“There was no such thing. Stop making up stories. That’s so very childish.”

“There was a riot,” Lord Henry said. “Our house escaped unscathed, but our neighbors lost some windows.”

“You’re in on it, too,” she accused.

“Really, there was a riot,” I said. “You must sleep very soundly not to have heard it. Mrs. Talbot even went into your room to ensure your safety.”

“Rollo’s school is closed for the day because of the damage,” Lord Henry added. “He’ll be having lessons at home. I believe you already have your reading for the week.”

“I do?”

“The book your aunt lent you?” At her blank look, he prompted, “You’re supposed to go with Miss Newton to discuss it on Thursday.”

“Oh, yes, that,” she replied, her cheeks tinting delicately with pink.

“You forgot about it completely,” Rollo chortled.

“I did not. I merely set aside time this week to read it.”