“Besides,” Ginny said then, smiling, “you love to go to the seashore, and I heard Tante say that she is taking you to Brighton next week. You will like that, won’t you?”

Both children brightened; the tension in Franco’s face eased and he turned to his father as if for confirmation of the promised treat.

It was a small reaction, but that her son filtered any of her promises with his father’s corroboration still pierced her to the heart. Would Franco always be so wary of her? Had she ruined any hope of his ever trusting her again?

Ruffling Franco’s dark hair, Steve assured him that it was true. “Tante Celine and Pierre are taking you on the train to Brighton.”

“Will Miss Prendergast go, too, Papa?” Franco’s gaze was hopeful, a reminder that he had formed an admiration for the lovely Lorna since she had been so much in Pierre’s company of late.

It rankled that her own son would prefer Lorna to her, but Ginny betrayed nothing of her feelings as she said, “If Pierre should invite her, I am certain she will go, too.”

“Then I shall talk to Uncle Pierre and tell him to invite her,” Franco said, “for she likes to play with us.”

“Perhaps because she is still so near your age,” Ginny couldn’t resist saying, and saw the amusement spring into Steve’s eyes at her spiteful comment.

It wasn’t true, of course, for Lorna Prendergast was nearly twenty, but still too young for Pierre in Ginny’s opinion. She was beautiful, well-mannered, and certainly came from an excellent background if her mother’s demeanor was any indication, but Ginny found Lorna to be far too immature and overindulged to care much for her company.

It was obvious that Lorna resented her as well, though that had more to do with Steve than anything else. After all, the girl had made it quite plain that she had been interested in Steve as more than just an escort from New Mexico to London. There were times Ginny felt very much like boxing her ears, but as her father was good friends with Sam Murdock, Steve’s partner, that would never do. Too bad. It might help knock some sense into her head if Lorna realized that the world did not revolve around her own desires.

Yet even feeling as she did, Ginny was glad that Franco enjoyed Lorna’s company; it was important for a child to feel wanted and appreciated.

“Come,” she said impulsively, rising to her feet with Laura in her arms, “let’s go for a ride in the park. Your papa has a fine new phaeton and pair of matched bays that need to be exercised. Shall we?”

“May we take Silky with us, Maman? Oh, and a basket, as we did last time? I love to feed the swans on the lake.”