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The seriousness of what lay ahead was mind-numbing, but if she did not have to face everything and everyone alone—if Lord Bancroft were at her side throughout it all—perhaps she could do what was required of her.

“Then, yes,” she said. “I’ll play my part. And for the record, I’m absolutely sure I’m going to need your help.”

“We shall see to your wardrobe right away,” Lady Maidstone said. “You will have to learn the correct forms of greeting and table etiquette, an elegant curtsy and acceptable subjects of conversation. Oh, and you must practice your penmanship every day.”

“Oh dear,” Isla said. “This is going to be like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant.”

Lord Bancroft gave her a perplexed look. “What is a fire hydrant?”

Isla moaned. She was in so much trouble. “Who are we kidding? I’m going to have to remain mute from the moment I arrive in London.”

“That would certainly add a new level of difficulty to the challenge,” Lord Bancroft said. “But it might work.”

“Absolutely not,” his sister said. “We shall simply add current word usage to your daily studies.”

Isla must have appeared as overwhelmed as she felt, because Lord Bancroft’s expression changed from quizzical to concerned.

“I daresay that would be helpful,” he said, “but Miss Crawford has something else she must do first. Could you spare her for an hour or so before she begins her training?”

Isla had absolutely no idea what Lord Bancroft was talking about, but if it bought her a little time to regroup, she was all for it.

“Certainly,” Lady Maidstone said, looking almost as surprised by Lord Bancroft’s announcement as Isla felt. “I shall use the time to go through my wardrobe with Maggie. I am sure we can find some gowns there that would look quite splendid on Miss Crawford.” She nodded as though it were decided. “Whenever you are ready, Miss Crawford, you may come to my chamber to make your choices.”

“Thank you,” Isla said. “You’ve been incredibly kind.”

“On the contrary,” Lady Maidstone said. “If we are correct, your willingness to act will save the lives of countless people, including my husband and brother. You are the one who should be thanked.”

An uncomfortable weight settled on Isla’s shoulders. Regardless of her long list of inadequacies, there was no room for mistakes with the task ahead.

“Come,” Lord Bancroft said, rising to his feet.

Startled, Isla stood. “Where are we—”

The slight shake of his head cut off her question. “I shall deliver Miss Crawford to your chambers shortly, Martha,” he said.

Curiosity shone in the lady’s eyes, but she nodded. “Very well.”

“I daresay you’d best locate Maggie and warn her of what you have planned, my dear,” Lord Maidstone said, vacating his chair. “Meanwhile, I shall set about drafting a missive to Monteagle, encouraging him to invite all four of us to dinner.”

“Thank you for taking that on, Maidstone,” Lord Bancroft said.

Lord Maidstone inclined his head. “Given that my assignment is undoubtedly the easiest of this entire scheme, I shall endeavor to ensure that our places at Monteagle’s table are guaranteed.”

Guaranteed. The word carried with it an exactness that was about as far from Isla’s capabilities right now as it could be. Battling her mounting apprehension, she barely felt the light brush of fingers at her elbow. She darted a glance at Lord Bancroft. He nodded, and with a firm but gentle touch, he steered her toward the door.

She followed his lead, remaining silent until the parlor and the Maidstones were behind them, and they were approaching the staircase.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“The nursery.”

She stumbled to a halt. Had she totally lost her mind? She had no memory of scheduling a nursery visit. “Are Sam and Will expecting us?”

“No.” His smile was fleeting. “I have not known you long, Miss Crawford, but I recognized the look on your face in the parlor. It was the same one you exhibited when we spoke in the grove of trees yesterday morning. On that occasion, I was the one in need of time in the nursery to clear my head. I thought in this instance, perhaps you might benefit from it.” A flicker of uncertainty entered his eyes. “After all that was just handed you, a spinning-top competition might be just the thing to turn trepidation into laughter. Better than a lesson on seventeenth-century protocols, at least.”

To Isla’s horror, tears pricked her eyes. She had friends who’d known her for years who would not have been so sensitive to her feelings. She blinked a few times and fought for control of her emotions. “That’s very kind of you, my lord, but I don’t want to reward your thoughtfulness by making you feel bad.”

He frowned. “Would you rather not go to the nursery?”