Page 64 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Chapter Twenty

Sera slept poorly,tossing and turning most of the night. She finally got up, feeling drained.

She had decided she would have to ask Win to hire a governess for the boys. Now that the pair knew they wouldn’t be shoved aside and taken from Woodbridge, they wouldn’t have a need to act up. The sooner Win found a governess for them, the more quickly they could adjust.

And the better it would be for her.

She was growing too close to Freddie and Charlie. If she stayed much longer, the hurt would only grow deeper. She would take today and savor it. Tomorrow, as well, at least until Minta and Percy showed up for tea. Determination filled her. She would leave with her sister and return to Kingwood tomorrow afternoon. Her things would already be packed, making it convenient for her to go on to London. She knew if she asked, Percy would send her to Aunt Phyllis and Uncle West. Though Sera had no intention of going to anytonevents, she would have put physical distance between her and Win.

It was the emotional distance she worried about.

She dressed, forgoing her corset. Last night, Sara had brought hot water up at eight o’clock. The servant had told Sera she was surprised she had lasted as long as she had and that she might make it until the end of the week. While the maid had helped Sera from her corset, she didn’t like the girl’s attitude and had decided she would not wear a corset because it would mean asking the maid for help.

A light knock sounded at the door and she answered it, admitting Sara to the tiny room.

“Here’s your water, Miss Nicholls. I see you’re already dressed.”

“Yes, I won’t be needing your help after all,” she said firmly.

“Oh.” The girl looked at her. “Them boys didn’t cause a bit o’ trouble yesterday. Everyone’s talking about it. And you. How did you make them behave?”

She didn’t like to hear that she was an object of gossip. “Freddie and Charlie are pleasant children. I don’t think they will be misbehaving much in the future. Thank you for the water,” she said dismissively.

The servant looked put out and flounced from the room.

Sera finished getting ready and then crossed into the schoolroom and then the boys’ room. They were already up and getting dressed.

“Are you excited about feeding the chickens this morning?” she asked. “And collecting the eggs? It is a big responsibility but I know the two of you will do a wonderful job each day.”

“I hope I don’t drop any,” Charlie worried. “That would get pretty messy.”

“Accidents will happen occasionally,” she said. “The important thing is to take your time and be careful.”

She led the boys down the back stairs and to the kitchens, where Cook awaited them. She handed each boy a basket.

“Stay here and have a cup of tea, Miss Nicholls. I’ll take these two in hand.”

“All right, Cook.”

A maid handed her a cup and saucer and indicated a small table in the corner where she could sit.

“Want something to eat, Miss Nicholls?” she asked. “We’re so happy you’ve come. Them boys were a handful but it only took you a day to get them straightened out.”

“I will wait and eat with my charges. Thank you for the tea, though.”

She sipped on the brew as she watched the workers grow busy. Soon, Cook returned with Freddie and Charlie, each boy carefully toting a full basket of eggs. They gave them over to Cook and Sera joined them.

“How did they do?”

“Right nice, Miss Nicholls. They’re polite boys. The chickens scared ’em a bit but I taught them how to scatter the feed so that the birds don’t gang up on ’em. They were good with the eggs, too. Took their time just as they should.”

“That is high praise from Cook,” she said and both boys grinned broadly.

“I’ll send breakfast up to the schoolroom now,” Cook promised.

“Can we eat here?” Freddie asked. “We’re already in the kitchens where the food is. It’s the right thing because then no one has to take it up all those stairs.”

Sera nearly burst with pride, hearing Freddie talk about doing the right thing. Win’s lessons were already taking root with his nephews.

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