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Will rolled over, clambering for the small toy in Lord Bancroft’s hand. “But bear says he tastes delicious.”

“Bear thinks everything is delicious,” Lord Bancroft countered, swinging his arm above his head. “He should try frog.”

Isla laughed. It was the first time she’d laughed since she’d stepped out of the changing room, and it felt wonderful.

“Frog, I tell you.” Lord Bancroft was virtually hidden beneath the boys’ flailing arms and legs. “Bear and fox would like frog so much better.”

Sam’s leg swung out, and Isla shifted a little to the left to avoid the melee. Her foot knocked over a couple of the wooden animals still on the floor, and when she reached for the closest one, she discovered that it was a frog.

“Frogs do taste delicious,” she said, raising the toy in one hand. “But bear and fox will only discover that if they catch him.”

Gathering her skirts in the other hand, she darted across the room. Behind her, the boys scrambled to their feet, and suddenly, they were chasing after her.

“We love frogs!” Will cried, with Sam hot on his tail.

Isla laughed and circled back around to Lord Bancroft. “Here,” she called, tossing him the wooden frog as he came to his feet. “I can run, but in this gown, wrestling is beyond me.”

“Uncle Simon has the frog!” Sam yelled, and as one, the boys tore past Isla to attack Lord Bancroft again.

“Good heavens! Whatever is happening in here?” At the sound of their mother’s voice, Will’s and Sam’s feet came to a stuttering halt, and their attention diverted to the door.

“Mother! Uncle Simon is here!” Will said breathlessly.

“And Miss Crawford,” Sam added.

“Yes, of that, I am fully aware,” Lady Maidstone said. “And I would think half the population of Little Twinning also knows it by now. I’ve never heard such a fracas.”

“I apologize, Martha,” Lord Bancroft said, looking not the least bit sorry. “It was my doing.”

Lady Maidstone gave him a long-suffering look. “Honestly, Simon. If Miss Tomlinson weren’t such a saint, you would cause her to leave her position. She’s the one who is left to deal with Will and Sam after you’ve turned them into human tornadoes.”

Lord Bancroft had the decency to offer the nursemaid a more sincere look of apology. “Forgive me, Miss Tomlinson. Next time, I shall take them outside and allow you some time away from the human tornadoes.”

“Taking them outside does not sound any more calm and decorous,” Lady Maidstone said.

“Of course not.” He winked at her. “Where would be the fun in that? I would simply be providing Miss Tomlinson with a well-deserved respite.”

Lady Maidstone set her hand on her forehead and groaned. “One day, you shall grow up, Simon. The boys may rue the day, but I shall cheer.”

Lord Bancroft smiled and dropped to one knee beside the twins. Placing an arm around each of them, he spoke to them in a low voice. “Boys, I need you to treat Miss Tomlinson especially well today. Mind her every word, and do exactly as she says the very first time she asks. Is that understood?”

The boys nodded solemnly. “Yes, Uncle Simon.”

“Well done.” He tousled their hair again and rose to his feet. “I knew I could count on you.”

“Will you come back to the nursery soon?” Sam asked.

“That all depends upon how well you listen to Miss Tomlinson today.”

“We will be very good.” Sam nudged Will.

“Yes, very good.” Will gave Isla a shy look. “Can Miss Crawford come back too?”

Isla sensed Lady Maidstone’s surprise, but she kept her attention on Will’s earnest expression. “If I’m still here the next time your mother allows a visit, I would love to come again.”

“You run fast,” Will said as though that fully explained the personal invitation.

Lord Bancroft’s cough sounded suspiciously like smothered laughter.