Louisa peeked out from his other side. “Charlotte, is that your dog?”
Just stopping herself from rolling her eyes, she glanced at Daisy. “Yes, and unfortunately she is not nearly as well behaved as yours.”
“Well, Matt—I’m sorry—Lady Charlotte, my brother, Lord Worthington, but I’m sure it’s all right if you call him Matt. He trained Duke. Matt can do anything.”
Charlotte looked impressed. “Can he indeed? Well, I wish he’d train Daisy. You wouldn’t believe the trouble she caused when the children were on their way to Town. Here the rest of them come now.”
Before Matt could glance around, he was surrounded by a sea of children.
“Matt?”
He looked down to see Mary. “A pleasure to see you again.”
She tucked a confiding hand in his.
Theodora looked daggers at Mary. “Who’s she?”
Worthington tried not to groan. “Theodora, this is Mary. Here, take my other hand. It’s just as good. Maybe even better.”
Mary moved closer to him. If Patience was correct about the length of time Grace had had guardianship, Mary probably didn’t remember her father. At least his sisters had him as a father figure.
“Who is she and how do you know her?” Theo demanded.
Louisa scowled. “For goodness’ sake, Theodora. Do stop. She is a friend’s sister and if you don’t behave, I’ll tell Mama.”
Theodora grumbled.
“Oh, do you have a mama?” Mary asked as if it was a novel idea.
Theo frowned. “Everyone has a mama.”
Shaking her head, Mary stared at Theo. “I don’t. I used to have one, but she died. I don’t remember her because I was too little.”
Theodora stopped walking. “Who takes care of you?”
“My sister and Nurse and Miss Tallerton.”
Glancing at Louisa, Theo drew her brows together. “I don’t think I’d like to have my sister take care of me.”
Mary nodded her head. “Well, if it was Charlotte, I’d agree, but it’s Grace.”
Matt, tired of tripping over them as they leaned forward to talk, said, “Tell you what. You can both be on one side of me as long as you hold hands.”
They looked at him with identical frowns. “No.”
Thankfully, they’d reached the Park. “There you go. Off with you.”
The girls darted away, and Matt stretched his fingers. For little girls, they had strong grips. “Why did I have to fall in love with the only single woman in England who had charge of her seven brothers and sisters?”
He followed them at a leisurely pace. The dogs were playing together and some of the children as well. The two eldest sat together on a bench, heads together talking. It could be worse. And then came the sound of unhappy shouting. The older boy—what’s his name? Matt’s gaze followed the contretemps. Walter, that’s it—was fighting with another lad.
Good bottom, glaringly abroad.
Walter needed to keep his arms in closer to his body. At least that was something Matt could remedy. Smiling, he took off toward the fight. This was the answer to his problems. He’d show Grace how much she needed his help with the children.
* * *
Grace had been in her office since she had finished breakfast. Shortly before noon, she heard a commotion coming from the front of the house.
