The British Billionaire's Innocent Bride. Susanne James

she, Daddy?’

      ‘I’m sure Lily has better things to do…’ Theo said. ‘Even if she isn’t going out.’

      ‘Of course I’ll stay—if I can be of any use,’ Lily said simply.

      The fact was, she already loved being here—enjoyed the atmosphere of this lovely home.

      Theo shrugged. ‘You’ve won, then, Alex. Lily can do the honours.’ He turned to look down at her. ‘Thanks,’ he said briefly.

      The next hour passed rapidly as Lily took control of a bathing session. There was a lot of splashing, and mucking about with toys, but Lily let them get on with it, not caring too much that she was getting soaked as well.

      She spotted their toothbrushes on the shelf, and handed them down to the children. ‘Scrub until I’ve finished counting up to one hundred and twenty,’ she said firmly.

      Finally, she decided that enough was enough. ‘Time’s up, boys,’ she said, taking one of the big white fluffy towels and holding it up. ‘Come on—you first, Tom-Tom.’ She lifted him out and held him to her, wrapping the towel around him snugly.

      ‘I can dry myself,’ Alex said, jumping out as well, and Lily thought what sturdy little bodies they had, and what lucky children they were—to be born into a family like this one—even if their mother had died. How could anyone go wrong, literally enveloped in all the luxury and love that was evident here?

      They scampered out of the bathroom ahead of her, and once they’d put on their pyjamas were ready to be tucked in for the night. Going into Tom’s room, Alex said cheerfully, ‘Tom-Tom and me have been sleeping in here together since Mummy went.’ He jumped into one of the single beds, and pulled the duvet up around him. ‘Because it helps him to go to sleep,’ he added. ‘And we always have milk to drink before we go to sleep.’

      Lily sat down on one of the low chairs beside the bed.

      ‘I have mine cold, and Tom-Tom has his warm,’ Alex went on helpfully.