“Hello,” I said, feeling rather awkward. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”

Olive flung her arms around my waist. If my corset hadn’t already been cinched so tightly, she would have knocked the breath out of me. “Are you going to stay with us?” she asked. My heart went out to this child, who had already lost both parents at such a young age.

I squeezed her in response and said, “That is for your uncle to decide.”

Lord Henry looked at me with surprise. “Oh, I thought you knew I was offering you the position. You do want it?”

I didn’t know why I hesitated. I needed a job and a home, and this was my last option without starting my search anew. This was also the most beautiful house I’d ever seen and I’d already begun picturing myself living there. The only question was my nagging suspicion about Lord Henry. I studied his face again, and aside from his eyes, I saw nothing of the bandit. His way of walking, his mannerisms, even his voice were all different. The resemblance must have been my imagination.

“Why, yes, of course I do,” I said at last.

“Then we should discuss details such as salary and schedule. Children, you can get to know Miss Newton better at dinner.” He pried Olive’s arms from around me, then patted her on the head before escorting me back to the morning room.

As we walked, he said, “We dine informally at home unless we’re entertaining, and I do very little of that. You will join us, of course. That will be a good opportunity for the children to practice conversation. You’ll keep to a normal school schedule on weekdays and will have Saturdays and Sundays free, aside from any social events where you would be needed as chaperone.”

It was more generous than I could have imagined—almost too good to be true. When he told me my weekly salary, I wanted to pinch myself. Back in the morning room, he informed Mrs. Talbot that I had accepted the position. “Please show Miss Newton to her room,” he instructed. He gave me a slight bow, squeezed my hand, and said, “Welcome to the family, Miss Newton,” before leaving me alone with Mrs. Talbot.

I collected my bag, then Mrs. Talbot took me upstairs to a pleasant little room at the back of the house. It was simply furnished with a bed, wardrobe, desk, and dresser, and had its own bathroom. “I suppose we should send for your belongings,” she said.

“I had my trunk held at Grand Central.”