Rules for Reforming a Rake Read Online Free PDF Page A

glanced up in surprise. “They know how to tend children, that’s for sure. They helped me raise my five boys after my husband died and did a fine job of it. But they don’t come from genteel families. They’re not the sort one would look for in a nanny. True, they speak softly and are well-mannered. I was hoping your mother might take them in as housemaids should the positions become available.”
    Daisy folded her arms across her chest as a plan formed in her mind. “I’m certain we’ll have many openings before this month is through. In the meantime, your nieces would do me a great service by helping me with the children. I desperately need assistance and don’t mind that they can’t read the Greek classics or speak as finely as the Queen. We’ll regain two of the Farthingale nannies by the end of the week, and I expect they’ll want to keep your nieces on.”
    “Thank you, Miss Daisy. They’ll be quite pleased.”
    “Have them report to me first thing tomorrow morning. And... ah, no sense burdening Mother with the little details. I’ll instruct Mrs. Taft to add them to the list of household retainers.”
    Daisy allowed the children to finish their treats before marching them up to her room and instructing them to wash their hands. She turned the chore of washing into a game that even Harry enjoyed. Then she sat the youngest children on her bed, pulled up a chair, and began to tell them a story.
    “Can we listen, too?” her twelve-year-old cousin, Lizbeth, the eldest of the children, asked.
    “Of course.” She waved her hand, motioning for the older ones to come closer, which they did with squeals and giggles. This small band of older cousins ranged in age from nine to twelve and were still considered too young to be allowed in the company of adults. They were at that awkward age, too young for more sophisticated conversation and too old to be forced to play with the younger children. She was pleased when they scooted closer, eager to listen to her read a story to the little ones.
    “Tell us about the gentleman you met today,” Lizbeth said, tossing back her blonde curls while taking a seat next to her.
    Daisy felt the heat of a blush creep up her neck. Goodness, how much had the children seen? “Oh, I don’t think—”
    “Please, please, please!” Lizbeth persisted, an eager sparkle in her green eyes. “Harry met him, too.” She was joined by the others in a chorus of begging.
    Daisy let out a soft groan. “Very well.”
    Lizbeth cheered. “Harry liked him. We saw him hug the man.”
    She wondered what else her cousins had seen Harry do to the man. “Yes, well...”
    “He seemed very nice. Is he a war hero?” Lizbeth cast her an impish grin.
    “What’s that?” four-year-old Charles asked with a sniffle, because it was a well-known fact that all little boys had runny noses. It mattered not if they were the offspring of a duke or a dustman. If they were little, their noses ran.
    “Someone who’s very brave,” Lizbeth answered.
    “The gentleman’s name is Lord Gabriel Dayne and he’s not a war hero, but his brother, Alexander, is one. I’m sure Alexander saved the lives of many young men and made lots of families very happy.”
    “Was Uncle Harrison with him?” Charles asked, referring to Harry’s father, who had died in battle last year.
    “Unfortunately, no.” She glanced worriedly at Harry, but he seemed to be fine for the moment. “Alexander and Gabriel are grandsons of our neighbor.”
    “Grandmama Eloise?” Harry asked with a sniffle, his nose also perpetually running. Daisy withdrew the handkerchief tucked in her sleeve and efficiently cleaned his pudgy face.
    “Yes,” she answered with a nod. Eloise had been wonderfully generous with the boy, often allowing Daisy to bring him along on her afternoon visits. Harry had grown quite attached to their kindly neighbor. “Lord Gabriel has been sick for a very long time—”
    “But he got better,” Lizbeth said,