Page 57 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“It will help you bond with your pony as you share it,” he explained. “You want to be friends with your ride.”

They took turns getting on and off Marigold, who stood patiently as if she hadn’t a care in the world. After both boys felt comfortable sitting on her and could point out the various parts of equipment, Win told Harrison to take over. Win then led Sera to the fence and, without warning, clasped her about the waist and lifted her to sit atop it. Then he joined her.

“We’ll have a perfect view from here.”

“I had thought I would teach them to ride but I think it is good to allow Harrison to do so,” she said, trying to make conversation so she could stop thinking about how good Win smelled.

“Yes, it is good for them to see they can learn from others. Besides, Harrison is a wonderful teacher. He couldn’t have been more than sixteen when he taught me how to ride when I was young. I am glad he was named head groom at Woodbridge during my years away.”

He fell silent and they watched Harrison use a leading rein to take Freddie about the paddock. The joyful look on his face made Sera’s heart sing.

Charlie also got his turn and looked just as happy. Both boys were given three turns apiece on Marigold as Harrison walked the mare around the paddock.

“That’s enough for today,” Win called out, jumping down from the fence and reaching up for her.

Sera held her breath as he lifted her and then placed her on the ground, his hands remaining on her waist as he stared into her eyes a moment. Then he smiled and released her.

He was far too charming for his own good.

They told Harrison goodbye and Charlie said, “I’m hungry.”

“It must be close to teatime,” Win proclaimed. “Sera wanted you both to have some cake today.”

“Cake?” they squealed in unison.

“Yes, cake. It was quite moist and delicious last night. Be glad Sera and I saved some for the two of you and did not eat it all.”

As they approached the house, he suggested, “Let us cut through the kitchens so I may speak with Cook.”

The entered and the room grew quiet. Sera supposed a duke never went to his own kitchens—and Win had done so twice today.

“Cook, that cake at dinner last night was marvelous. Could we have that with our tea? And sandwiches, too. We are quite hungry. The boys and Miss Nicholls and I will take tea in the drawing room now. Milk for the boys, please.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll see to it at once.”

Sera wanted to protest but when she saw how the boys’ eyes lit up at having tea with the duke, she kept silent.

Instead, she said, “We will go upstairs then to wash up and change our clothes. After all, we have been outside for several hours. I know my gown is stained from the grass and our cloud watching, plus we’ve touched all those horses. We need clean hands in order to take tea.”

Charlie grumbled good-naturedly and Freddie nudged him. She followed them from the kitchens and had them take the back staircase.

“Why are there two stairs?” Freddie wanted to know.

“Servants usually take this back staircase, while those who live in the house take the other set. These are closer to where our rooms are and more convenient.”

“There are a lot of rules,” Charlie said, blowing out a breath in frustration.

She got the boys to their room and laid out clean clothes for them to put on after they had washed. They scrambled out of what they wore and came to the basin, taking turns washing up.

“Can you dress without me?” she asked. “I also need to wash and change.”

“We are big boys,” Freddie said proudly. “We can do it, Sera.”

“All right. Go to the schoolroom and practice writing some of our rhyming words on your slates when you finish. I will be along soon.”

She returned to her cramped room and as she removed her gown, she realized she would be responsible for washing her own garments. She hoped the grass stains would come out of her gown.

Quickly, she performed her ablutions and claimed a clean gown, then folded hers and dunked it into the wash basin to soak. Hopefully, that would make the stains come out more easily when she scrubbed it.

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