Idelle enjoyed organizing play-dates, particularly because one of her daughters was the same age as Lysander. August was always happy to participate and spend time with his sister, although he was more interested in keeping a close eye on his son than Idelle was with her daughter. After spending so long in Germany following the Grace Greengrass incident, he wanted to be sure that Lysander was still doing all right in socializing with other children.

He might have been more eager to abandon Lysander to his aunt's machinations had Idelle told him that the new girl's governess was Grace Greengrass. Should he talk to her? He didn't want to, but after his failing to successfully ask Miss Adebayo to court, August was starting to wonder if there was something seriously wrong with him. Luckily, there were brief pleasantries to exchange with his sister, giving him an excuse to avoid the question.

But then Miss Greengrass met his gaze, after suggesting the children go to the playroom, and August froze. If the children agreed, he would probably lose the opportunity to speak with her, an opportunity he was not sure existed.

"Only if Uncle August comes with us," Idelle's daughter, Amalia, said. "I've gotten so much better at charades since Christmas." Idelle chuckled to herself, and August smiled sheepishly down at his niece, breaking the lengthy and uncomfortable eye contact with Miss Greengrass. "I don't suppose you three would let me say no?"