Page 38 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“I took the liberty of preparing the governess’ room, Your Grace. Just so that it would be ready for the next arrival.”

He frowned, not wanting Sera to stay in the servants’ quarters.

“Thank you for doing so, Farmwell. If my things could be taken there now, I would like to meet Freddie and Charlie.”

“Of course, Miss Nicholls. If you will come with me.”

“I’ll come along, as well,” Win said. “I should be the one to introduce you to them,” he said stubbornly.

Sera didn’t comment. She merely followed Farmwell into the house, where she was introduced to Mrs. Farmwell, a frantic look on her face. When the housekeeper heard Sera was a governess, tears sprang to her eyes.

“Oh, it is very good to have you at Woodbridge, Miss Nicholls. Let me take you to the schoolroom where the boys are.”

“I can do that, Mrs. Farmwell,” he said. “It is this way, Miss Nicholls.”

He led her up three flights of stairs, wondering if she were ever going to speak to him again. They arrived at the door to the schoolroom and he paused, his hand on the door.

“I realize you are doing me a tremendous favor. Remember that if you are unhappy in any way, you do not have to stay.”

“I understand, Your Grace,” she said formally.

Win looked at her large eyes and sweet lips and wanted to kiss her again. Fighting the urge—and succeeding—he opened the door.

The boys sat at the table where he had learned his alphabet and done sums with a tutor before leaving Woodbridge for school. They looked guilty the moment they saw him. Standing in the room were both his steward and valet, both with stern looks on their faces.

“You may leave,” he told the pair and they exited quickly.

Turning to the boys, he said, “This is Miss Nicholls. She is to be your new governess.”

Freddie and Charlie exchanged a look which he couldn’t read. Win knew something unspoken was said between them.

Sera came toward them. “It is polite to stand when a lady enters the room, even if she is a governess. And you certainly want to always stand when you meet a new acquaintance, be it a butcher or the king.” Her tone was firm but friendly.

The orphans came to their feet and studied her.

She moved to them and knelt so that she was eye level with them, a small but clever move on her part.

She smiled warmly at them and said, “I am Seraphina Nicholls and am very happy to be here with you. Would you introduce yourself to me?”

“I’m Freddie. Freddie Sawyer. This is my brother, Charlie.”

Sera thrust out her hand and a startled Freddie merely looked at it.

“Shake hands with me, Freddie,” she said easily.

The boy did so and she added, “I am pleased to meet you.” Releasing his hand, she offered hers to Charlie. He eagerly took it and shook it, a little too hard, in Win’s opinion.

“I’m Charlie. I’m six,” he told her.

“I’m six, too,” Freddie quickly said.

“Let’s sit and become better acquainted, shall we?”

Sera took a seat at the table and the boys sat opposite her.

“Are you going to sit, Your Grace?” Freddie asked.

“I will stand, thank you.”

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