Page 66 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

“Our errand is a surprise. And we need to stop in the foyer for something before we leave.”

“Maybe it’s getting a meat pie,” Freddie said, his eyes lighting up.

The boys scrambled from their chairs and hurried out the door. Sera rose and she and Win followed.

“I suppose no meat pies are involved.”

He chuckled. “You would be correct in that assumption.”

“Then where are we going?”

Win smiled enigmatically. “Ah, you will simply have to ride along and discover where at the same time my nephews do. But first, we stop downstairs.”

By the time they made the turn for the final landing, she saw Freddie and Charlie had stopped there. Both boys looked over their shoulders apprehensively. Sera glanced down to the foyer and saw a bevy of servants lined up, looking up expectantly.

Charlie wore a pained expression. “Are we in trouble?”

“Not at all. Continue down the stairs and we’ll stop at the bottom.”

The boys took the stairs slowly, their heads turning back and forth as they saw all those gathered. When they reached the bottom, Win placed a hand upon both their shoulders.

Sera had an inkling of what he planned to say and hung back.

“Thank you all for gathering here,” he said in his commanding voice, which carried easily. “I have a brief announcement to make.”

He glanced down and smiled fondly at his nephews and then back at the crowd.

“Some of you have met these two and haven’t had the most favorable impression of them. This is Freddie and Charlie Sawyer. They are the sons of my brother, the late Duke of Woodmont.”

A murmur rippled through the servants.

“These boys behaved terribly when they first arrived at Woodbridge. While I know they may slip in the future and get into a bit of mischief, their days of being incorrigible have passed. They were frightened. They had left the life they knew in London. They had lost their beloved mother. And they were taken away by a stranger. Me.”

Win paused and looked down. Sera saw he squeezed their shoulders. “They know now that they have come home. That Woodbridge is a safe place where they will grow up and become men. They will receive all the love and attention they need and will no longer need to misbehave in order to garner attention.”

Freddie spoke up. “We aim to be good. Sometimes, though, we do get into trouble. Mum always said trouble found us.”

“His Grace was much the same way,” Farmwell said with a smile. “And yet look how well he turned out.”

Everyone chuckled at the butler’s words.

Win glanced out at the crowd. “You will address them as Master Charlie and Master Freddie.”

Farmwell spoke for all. “We can certainly do so, Your Grace.” He looked at the boys. “We are happy to have you at Woodbridge.”

“Thank you,” Freddie said softly and Charlie echoed his brother’s words.

“That will be all now,” Win told the group. “Back to your tasks if you would.”

The servants began dispersing, with a few coming up and saying a few words to the boys. Once everyone had gone, Win led them outside to the carriage. He assisted Sera up and she sat opposite of the forward-facing seat, not wanting to be in close proximity to him. Charlie joined her and Freddie sat opposite them.

When Win entered, he sat where she predicted and proclaimed, “This won’t do. Trade seats with Sera, Freddie.”

“Why?”

“Because Sera’s belly gets a bit queasy when she rides backward.”

She was touched he remembered but was reluctant as she moved to take her place beside him.

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