Page 54 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

He wondered what had occurred with the flour barrels and decided it was better not to ask.

“Good. Then it’s a clean start with us,” she declared.

“Cook here feeds the chickens and brings in the eggs every day,” Win said, wondering where this was going but pleased that the boys were making a strong effort to behave.

“I would like Charlie and Freddie to do those two tasks each morning, Cook,” Sera revealed. “Routine is important. So is caring for something other than yourself. I thought they could feed the chickens and be given baskets to collect the eggs. They need to be given a bit of responsibility.”

He liked the idea of having the boys contribute in a small way to the household.

“Would you mind relinquishing those tasks to the boys, Cook?” Win asked.

She looked at the pair. “I think it’d be good for ’em,” she proclaimed. “But there’s more to it than you might think.”

Cook explained how to scatter the feed and watch so no one chicken dominated the yard.

“I won’t tolerate fights between my chickens,” she pronounced.

Then she said she would help the boys gather eggs tomorrow morning. “You can’t rush things. You must be careful—else an egg will crack.” Looking to Sera, she said, “Have them downstairs at half-past six, Miss Nicholls. The eggs must be gathered then in order for the household to be fed its breakfast.”

“I will do so,” Sera promised. “Thank you, Cook.”

The servant returned to the kitchens.

“Why do we have to do her job?” Freddie complained.

“Because she has a far greater job,” Win said. “She is feeding an entire household. That is dozens of people, both below and above stairs.”

“That means both servants and those who live here or are visiting Woodbridge,” Sera clarified.

“Having a small but important task allows you to contribute to the running of the household,” he explained.

“That means we’re a part of things here,” Charlie said, pride evident in his voice and on his face.

“It is good to have some responsibility by the time you are six,” Sera said. “As you grow older, we can add to that. You might, for example, help to feed and curry your horses.”

“Curry?” Freddie’s nose crinkled.

“It’s a word that means to brush a horse,” she said.

“Then why not say that?” Freddie asked.

Sera smiled mysteriously. “Because horses are special. You are going to find that out now. Do you know where the stables are?”

The boys nodded.

“Then run to them. His Grace and I will follow at a slower pace.”

Ready to release more energy, the two took off.

Win shook his head. “I have never met more energetic boys—and I was one.”

Sera began following and he fell into step beside her. He longed to offer her his arm or take her hand but forced himself to keep his hands at his sides.

“You are good with them, Sera. Very good.”

“I like them,” she said softly. “They are sweet boys.”

“I believe you are correct in thinking they were acting out because of all the things that happened so suddenly, changing their lives forever.”

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