Page 65 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“We won’t be in the way,” Charlie said. “We can eat over there, where Miss Nicholls was having tea.”

When Cook looked doubtful, Sera added, “I don’t think His Grace would mind. We promise to stay out of your way.”

“Very well. Go take a seat,” Cook said.

The boys scampered off and Sera thanked the older woman. “I also have a favor to ask of you, Cook. Tomorrow, I will be teaching the boys about measurements. I’d like them to help me bake a few things and put our lessons to use.”

“You want to come bake? With those two?” Doubt flashed in Cook’s eyes.

“Yes, I did quite a bit of baking before I came here. I would want to make an apple cake and some scones. Would that be possible? Pick a time when it would be convenient.”

“After I get breakfast out to everyone would be best, I suppose.”

“Very well. The items will need to be served to the guests coming for tea tomorrow afternoon, along with whatever else you were going to include.”

“For the marquess and marchioness?” Cook pursed her lips. “It would have to be very, very good in order to serve to them.”

“The marchioness is my sister,” Sera revealed. “She has eaten my baked goods many times.”

“Oh! Well, knock me over with a feather,” Cook declared. “All right, Miss Nicholls. You may have time in my workplace tomorrow morning then.” She narrowed her eyes. “But watch those boys like a hawk,” she warned.

“I will, Cook.”

She joined the boys and they ate their breakfast. Sera didn’t eat as much as she usually did, conscious of being uncorseted, which usually hid her body to a degree.

“What are we learning today, Miss Nicholls?” Charlie asked.

“Thank you for addressing me properly,” she said, noting he had not called her Sera since they were in the kitchens full of bustling servants.

“I want to do maths again,” Freddie said.

“That is for tomorrow. Today, we will work on reading and writing all morning. Then another riding lesson, I think. Afterward, we can wander the estate and see what is here.”

“We know lots about the place,” Charlie said. “Freddie and I went all over when were with them Birdwells. We’ll show you around.”

“Very well.”

They finished eating and returned to the schoolroom. They had been hard at work for a few hours, with both boys making considerable progress, when Win arrived.

“Uncle Win!” they cried, leaping to their feet and going to hug him.

“What have you been doing today?” he asked, leading them back to their seats.

They told him about the chicken duties first, which Sera thought was sweet, and then they showed him what they had been working on since returning to the schoolroom.

“Since you were literally up with the chickens, it sounds as if you have already put in a full morning despite it being only ten o’clock.” Win looked at his nephews solemnly. “Do you think you could possibly tear yourselves away from your studies? I have an important errand for us to run.”

“Yes!” Charlie cried.

“What?” Freddie wanted to know. “What kind of errand?”

He looked to her. “Have the boys done enough with reading and writing?”

“For now. I will pick up again later this afternoon. We were going to ask Harrison for another riding lesson, however.”

His eyes twinkled. “That will work perfectly for what I have in mind. Come along, everyone. You, too, Sera. The carriage is waiting. We should go downstairs and see where it will take us.”

“You aren’t telling us?” Charlie asked, somewhat disappointed.

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