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to sneak by. Anna was too young to feint well, but the game amused them all as Lily tidied the room and assessed what clean clothes they had.
    Laundry was an urgent necessity, but the most awkward. Unless there was an unseen laundry woman, the maids must do it, and they'd resent the extra work. Laundry was never a pleasant task.
    Charlotte returned with two books for herself and an alphabet one that Sir Benjamin had sent for the younger children. "I think it was his, mama, and he won't like it damaged."
    It was lovely, with colored illustrations for each letter. If he'd learned his letters from it years ago, he'd handled it with care. He might be angered by damage to something he valued. She told the younger children not touch it without her permission and put it in a drawer.
    Charlotte's books were a copy of Robinson Crusoe and one on birds, also prettily illustrated. She sat on the bed to look at it, and the others crowded around her. She began to read to them.
    She was a good, kind girl.
    "What's happened to Michael?" Lily asked.
    "He and Sir Benjamin are playing chess."
    Lily frowned over that. Michael knew how to play, for a teacher at his school had taught him, but he'd be little challenge. They'd never had a set at home. Perhaps Sir Benjamin would enjoy improving his game.
    All was calm for the moment, so she put more wood on the fire, found her sewing bag, and sat to darn one of Michael's stockings.
    Sir Benjamin brought Michael back up. "Your son plays chess well, Mistress Gifford."
    "But I still lost," Michael said, cheerfully enough.
    "With practice, you may soon beat me, young man. Mistress Gifford, may I invite you to dine with me this afternoon?"
    "Dine with you?" She saw hurt and hurried on. "I would be pleased to do so, sir, but I must attend to my children."
    "I'm sure Michael and Charlotte can attend to the younger ones for a while. They eat here?" He frowned around. "It might be worth opening the schoolroom. Set a fire to take the chill off. I fear it might be dusty...."
    Lily had to hold back a broad smile. He was anticipating a long stay.
    "What an excellent idea," she said. "That would be a better place for them to play and eat. But it must not make extra work for your servants. My children and I will clean it."
    "Perhaps I should hire more...." That was clearly a thought spoken aloud, but Lily silently applauded it. "I'll order a fire made up there immediately, and I will enquire about the hobby horse," he added to Tommy.
    "Thank you, sir!" Then Tommy astonished Lily and perhaps himself by running over to hug Sir Benjamin's legs. "I'm so glad you found us, sir!"
    The poor man seemed frozen, unable to think what to do, so Lily pulled Tommy off him, offering an apologetic smile. She wished it were easier to read his expression.
    He cleared his throat. "So am I, lad. I'd forgotten all about that hobby horse. So, I will see you for dinner, ma'am? At one? I eat in the library, but if you would prefer the dining room..."
    "Not at all, sir. Your library is a lovely room, and to be sitting at a large dining table, just the two of us, would not be comfortable."
    He smiled widely, which exposed his lower teeth even more. Perhaps she reacted, for he quickly pulled his lips tightly together, but for a moment there, he'd been delighted.
    Perhaps it wouldn't be difficult to woo Sir Benjamin Brook.
    "Why is your mouth like that, sir? It's not very nice."
    Lily whirled on her daughter. "Susie!"
    "No, ma'am, don't chastise her. There's nothing wrong with an honest question. The honest answer, my dear, is that I was born this way, just as some are born with a twisted foot or a bent spine."
    "Oh," Susie said. "Then I'm very sorry for it, sir."
    "Thank you, my dear."
    He left, and Lily decided not to berate the child. Above all, she wanted them all to be comfortable with him. Especially if he was to become their father.
    That prospect was so desirable she couldn't think clearly about it, especially with all the dangers it