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Agnes had decided to take advantage of the lovely weather three days later by going to the park with her brothers. The sun was bright, and a gentle breeze teased the leaves of the trees, making it the perfect day to be out of doors.

“But I want to take it home,” George protested, his face scrunched up in a pout, the snail safely cradled in his small hands as if it were a precious treasure.

“I refuse to share a carriage with that thing!” Harry cried out in horror, taking a step back as if the mere thought of being in close quarters with the snail was the most dreadful thing imaginable.

“Do not fret, dear. We are not taking it with us,” Agnes whispered, trying to soothe Harry’s fears without alarming him further.

“I heard that, Agnes,” came George’s sharp retort, his young ears missing nothing, not even the whispered exchanges meant to go unheard.

Philip snickered at the unfolding drama, tucking the book he had been reading and rising from the bench. Harry glared at his older brother. Amidst this, Agnes found herself struggling to maintain her composure, the corners of her mouth twitching with suppressed laughter. Many of the afternoons they spent together looked like this, but each was unique and treasured.

“Well, you heard correctly, George. The snail cannot come home with us,” Agnes stated firmly, her voice leaving no room for negotiation.

“But—” George began, his protest cut short by Agnes’s gentle interruption.

“Wouldyoulike to be taken to a strange place full of strangers, Georgie?”

“No. I want to remain with Harry. And you, and Mother, and Philip,” George replied.

“That little snail feels the same,” Agnes pointed out. “This is its home. It probably has its family here, too. It wouldn’t want toleave either,” she added, watching as understanding dawned in George’s eyes.

Reluctantly, George set the creature down, his actions slow and thoughtful. Harry’s sigh of relief was loud, and this time, Philip couldn’t contain his laughter. “I must confess that I had been looking forward to seeing how Harry would share the carriage with the snail.”

“Do not be mean, Philip!” Agnes gave him a nudge, while Harry folded his arms and stormed off to sit on the bench that Philip had vacated.

“To think that I wasn’t invited to this interesting affair,” s familiar voice interrupted the moment, causing a sudden silence to fall over them.

Agnes whipped around, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Theodore standing there, a playful smirk on his face.

“You came, nevertheless,” she responded dryly.

The smile on Theodore’s face did not falter as his curious gaze traveled from one giggling boy beside her to the next. Agnes went on to introduce the children to him. “This is Philip Travers, Marquess of Winfield. Lord Harry Travers,” she beckoned Harry from his seat, “and Lord George Travers.”

Philip puffed his chest out when he was introduced, standing straighter in a very obvious attempt to appear more manly andworthy of his title, before bowing politely. George copied his brother, and Harry was more composed and reserved.

“Boys,” Agnes continued, “This is the Marquess of Gillingham.”

George gasped. “Your husband.”

“Future husband!” Harry corrected, smiling as if he had scored a point higher than his brother.

Theodore’s brows rose and he met her eyes. “Do not mind them,” she said quickly. “People talk, and they hear.”

“Mama said you are going to be her husband,” George said.

Agnes cleared her throat. Theodore did not look perturbed in the least. In fact, he laughed. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, gentlemen.”

The boys stood straighter at his address. Before there was room for further conversation, George took a hold of Theodore’s sleeve and asked, “Have you come to help me catch some fish, My Lord?” Before Theodore could respond, George added, “It is this way. Come along now.” He started in the direction of the Serpentine, his enthusiasm catching.

Agnes half expected Theodore to resist, but he surprised her when he followed the boy with an amused grin on his face. Too curious to remain behind, she followed with Harry and Philip in tow. Watching Theodore pluck a stick from the grass by the lakeand poke around in the water was a sight she had not anticipated witnessing that day.

“Do you feel the fish?” an excited George leaned over a crouching Theodore’s shoulder, squinting into the lake. “I want an enormous one,” George added, his demand specific and filled with the earnestness only a child could muster.

“Me too!” This excited squeal came from Harry, much to Agnes and Philip’s shock. They turned identical expressions of surprise in the direction of their squeamish brother.

“What? Fish is food. I can tolerate that,” Harry shrugged at their stares.

“Are you the same boy I saw with his face turning green at the sight of a snail earlier?” Theodore asked, and Agnes realized he had watched them for a while before joining them. He poked in the water a few more times and straightened. “It appears the fish are not in this water.”