Page 62 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“Can we read the storybook now?” pleaded Charlie. “Read your favorite one to us.”

“All right. Come to the table.”

He sat in one of the terribly tiny chairs, a nephew on each side of him, leaning close. Charlie’s hand rested on Win’s forearm. He placed the book on the table in front of him so they could see the illustrations. Taking a moment, he glanced up at Sera, who had taken the seat opposite all of them. Her encouraging smile helped steady him.

Opening the book, he located the story he wanted to read to them.

“This is calledCinderella.”

“What’s it about?” Freddie demanded, impatient as always.

“A beautiful, hardworking girl. An evil stepmother. And a ball held at a castle where the handsome prince falls in love with Cinderella.”

His gaze met Sera’s and he smiled.

Win cleared his throat and began. “Once upon a time...”

*

Sera sat entrancedas she listened to Win’s low rumble. She was so proud of the decision he had made. Telling the boys was the right thing to do. He was modeling his own philosophy and by doing so, Freddie and Charlie would know they would always have a home.

“And they all lived happily ever after,” he said, finishing the fairy tale.

“I’d like to be able to turn a pumpkin into a carriage,” Charlie said. “Or mice into horses. That would be fun.”

“But then you would have to have a place to store both the carriage and the horses,” Win said.

“And feed them,” Freddie added. “Horses must eat an awful lot. They’re bigger than people.”

“They do,” Win agreed. “Like hungry little boys,” he growled and tickled Freddie, who squealed.

Charlie’s fingers quickly found Win’s belly and began tickling him. Then Freddie did the same.

“Attacked on both sides!” he shouted. “It’s not fair.”

She couldn’t help but beam, seeing how happy the two boys were.

And seeing the joy on Win’s face.

A maid with a tray appeared in the doorway and her jaw dropped at the sight. A second one bumped into her and almost dropped the tray she carried.

“B-b-begging your pardon, Your Grace,” the first servant got out. “We’ve the boys’ dinner.”

“Thank you,” he said. “Place it on the table, please.”

The servants did as requested and quickly left the room. Sera knew they would be chattering—and speculating—the entire way back to the kitchens.

“Eat up,” Win encouraged.

She didn’t think after all Charlie and Freddie had eaten at tea that they would be hungry but she was quickly proven wrong. She supposed growing boys were always hungry.

Once they finished their meal, they went to their bedchamber. Freddie cautioned them to stay behind.

“Charlie and I can get ready ourselves,” he declared. “We will tell you when we are ready.”

“We’ll wash behind our ears,” Charlie said, smiling. “We won’t forget.”

After the two exited, he looked and her and sighed. “Things have changed quite a bit—and for the better.”

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