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the earldom’s finances. From the first, they’d agreed that the children were never to know that their future hung by such a slender thread.
    Despite the fact she had spent all her adult life putting right the problems her father had caused, Alathea had never been able to hold it against him. He was the most lovable, and loving, man—he was simply incapable when it came to money.
    Now he smiled, a sad, forlorn smile. “Is there anything I can do?”
    She hugged his arm. “Just keep doing what you’ve been doing, Papa—keep Jeremy entertained and out of mischief.” She drew back. “You’re so good with them—they’re both a real credit to you.”
    â€œIndeed,” Serena agreed. “And if Alathea says there’s nothing to worry about, then there’s no sense worrying. She’ll keep us informed—you know she always does.”
    The earl seemed about to speak, then muffled cries and thumps came from the front hall.
    The earl’s lips twitched. “I’d better get out there before Crisp hands in his notice.” He touched his lips to Alathea’s temple, stooped to kiss Serena’s cheek, then he strode out to the hall, squaring his shoulders and lifting his head as he crossed the threshold.
    With Serena, Alathea followed more slowly. From the dining room doorway, they watched the melee in the hall resolve itself under the earl’s direction. “He’s really a wonderful father,” Serena said as the earl ushered his sons out of the front door.
    â€œI know.” Alathea smiled at his departing back. “I’m really very impressed with Charlie.” She glanced at Serena. “The next earl of Morwellan will hold a candle to all comers. He’s an amazing amalgam of you both.”
    Pleased, Serena inclined her head. “But he’s also got a very large dose of your commonsense. Thanks to you, my dear, the next earl of Morwellan will know how to manage his brass!”
    They both laughed, yet it was true. Not only was Charlie handsome, unruffleably good-natured, never high in the instep, and always game for a lark, but he was, largely due to Serena, thoughtful, considerate and openly caring. Thanks to the earl’s influence, he was a gentleman to his toes and, as he also spent at least one session a week with Alathea in the estate office, and had for some years, he was at nineteen in a fair way to understanding how to successfully manage the estate. While he still did not know the level to which the earldom’s coffers had sunk, Charlie now knew at least the basics of how to keep them filling up.
    â€œHe’ll make an excellent earl.” Alathea looked up as Mary and Alice came clattering down the stairs, bonnets on, ribbons streaming, her own bonnet dangling from Mary’s hand. Augusta had slipped out earlier; Alathea glimpsed her littlest stepsister heading out to the garden, her hand in Miss Helm’s.
    Charlie, Jeremy, Mary, Alice, and Augusta—they were the ultimate reasons she’d invented the countess. Even if he discovered her deception, Alathea couldn’t believe her knight would disapprove of her motives.
    â€œCome on!” Alice waved her parasol at the door. “The afternoon’s winging—we’ve already ordered the carriage.”
    Accepting her bonnet, Alathea turned to the mirror to settle it over her top knot.
    Casting a critical eye over her daughters, Serena straightened a ribbon here, tweaked a curl there. “Where do you intend going?”
    Alathea turned from the mirror as the clop of hooves heralded the carriage. “I’d thought to go to Lincoln’s Inn Fields. The trees are tall, the grass green and well tended, and it’s never crowded.”
    Serena nodded. “Yes, you’re right—but what an odd place to think of.”
    Alathea merely smiled and followed Mary and Alice down the steps.
    Gabriel discovered the bronze