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said she had done well by these children, which now seemed likely. It would explain why, as President, he was so reluctant to allow anyone to interfere with Lady Dearing. Perhaps that was why he had avoided any discussion of her and her controversial methods at meetings.
    It made Jeremy’s current dilemma all the more difficult.
    “We do,” he agreed, then cleared his throat again. “Do the children attend Church?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “And—forgive me for asking—how are the children regarded by your neighbors? Sometimes there is a prejudice against foundlings.”
    “Not everyone approves, of course, but most follow the lead of our good vicar and his wife, who have been most kind to the children,” she said with a smile. A real one this time, no polite facade. It lit up her eyes.
    “I am glad to hear it.”
    Her smile deepened. A breeze from the window lifted her hair, brought a hint of her perfume his way.
    He turned his head aside. “May I meet the children now?” he asked quietly.
    “Of course.”
    She preceded him out of the room and he followed, focusing on everything but her. But the image remained to taunt him: her smile, the ruffled golden curls. Luscious breasts, trim waist, feminine hips, all discreetly, elegantly swathed in lace and fabric but mutely beckoning him. A woman made for loving: for touching and kissing and caressing and . . .
    And she might be Arlingdale’s mistress.
    Even if she was not, her tarnished reputation and his role as an inspector made such thoughts grossly improper, even dangerous.
    But he continued to wrestle with them as they entered the library and headed for the open French doors. Before they reached them, a young woman with light brown hair dressed in a sober brown dress burst in from outside. The governess?
    She looked distraught.
    “What is it, Miss Burton?” Lady Dearing asked.
    “I am so sorry,” said the governess, wringing her hands. “I would not have let it happen for the world. I needed to visit the—the—and I thought they would be safe—and—”
    “What is it? Is something wrong?” asked Lady Dearing, her voice still calm but a fraction higher in pitch.
    Miss Burton swallowed, her face pale, her eyes imploring her mistress’s forgiveness.
    “Please forgive me, L—my lady! The children have disappeared!”

Chapter 5
     
    Livvy could have screamed.
    Out of the corner of her eye she saw the grim disapproval in Sir Jeremy’s expression. How could the children do such a thing, just when it looked as if she’d won him over?
    “Please calm yourself,” she told Jane, keeping her voice tranquil. “Where were the children last seen?”
    “On the south lawn, but that was almost a half hour ago. We have been searching ever since. I did not wish to disturb you while you were speaking to Sir Jeremy.”
    “It is not the time to worry about what is done. We have to decide how to proceed now.”
    “There’s one more thing, ma’am. Cook says the sandwiches prepared for the children’s nuncheon are missing, along with some of the bread and cheese that were in the larder.”
    Livvy recalled the noises she’d heard outside the library doors. She’d set them down to the wind, but . . .
    She turned to Sir Jeremy, squaring her shoulders. “Do you recall when the shrub rustled on the terrace? I fear one of the children was hiding behind it and overheard our conversation.”
    “Are you saying they ran off rather than allow Mary to come with me?” he asked grimly.
    “They do not know you. Perhaps they fear you. I realize it does not excuse their naughtiness, but—” She swallowed, bracing herself for his anger.
    “The important thing is to find them now.”
    She nodded.
    “Shall I have someone make inquiries in the village?” asked Jane.
    “Not yet.”
    She took a deep breath, half-closing her eyes. Panicking about Sir Jeremy would do the children no good; for their sakes, she had to deal with the situation as if he were not present. To