Page 67 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

Win tapped on the vehicle’s roof and the wheels set into motion.

Charlie looked out the window. “How long until we get there?”

“Not long at all. We are headed to the village nearby.”

Freddie snorted. “I hope we won’t see that mean old man. The one who didn’t want to touch us.”

“That is exactly where we are going. You need clothes of your own. Especially night shirts with your own initials and not mine.”

“But I like wearing your clothes, Uncle Win,” Charlie told him.

“You may wear those old clothes for your treks outdoors with Sera,” he said. “For when you roll about the grass or go fishing. You need clothes made to fit you to wear the rest of the time. In fact, we should be able to take some home with us today because we have special guests coming for tea tomorrow. I want you to meet them.”

Win glanced questioningly at Sera and she shook her head, letting him know she had not shared with the boys who was coming or her relationship to them.

“We can wear your uncle’s hand-me-downs when we bake tomorrow. We are going to learn about measurements in tomorrow morning’s lesson and then Cook has said we could bake some for the visitors’ tea.”

“Do we get to sample anything?” Freddie asked, a sly look in his eyes.

“That is a very clever idea,” Sera said. “We wouldn’t want your guests to have something not up to Woodbridge standards. Yes, I think each of you should taste what we make to make certain we can serve it with pride.”

They arrived in the village and it was obvious the tailor was expecting them, which led Sera to believe Win had sent word ahead. He fawned over Win and the boys and measured Charlie and Freddie with great care.

“I have a few adjustments to make to the garments you requested, Your Grace,” the tailor said. “You can pick those up in an hour. I will begin work on the rest of the wardrobe for them after that.”

“Then we will return shortly. Why don’t we stop at the bakery for a sticky bun and then walk about the village?”

The boys cheered his words and, soon, they had sticky buns in hand as they walked the few streets of the hamlet. Several people greeted them, with shopkeepers coming outside in order to get a word with their duke. Finally, they made their way back to the tailor’s shop and Sera insisted they try on their new clothes instead of hurrying home because Win had told them they could have their riding lesson upon their return to the estate.

The clothes fit them beautifully and she told them to change back into what they had worn to the village.

“We will save your new things for tea tomorrow. You don’t want to get them dirty or sweaty as you ride today.”

The tailor asked that they stop by again in a week’s time and he would have everything ready by then. The boys bounced up and down inside the carriage, excited about their new things and eager to get on Marigold again.

When the carriage pulled around to the back of the house, Freddie threw open the door right as it came to a halt, jumping to the ground. Charlie followed closely behind.

“I hope Charlie won’t always be the follower of the pair,” she said. “Freddie is such a leader, though. It will be hard for Charlie to assert himself.”

Win exited the carriage and held out a hand to her. “It is good they have such a tight bond. They will protect one another when they go off to school together, just as Percy and I looked after one another.”

“Was Percy always so shy?” she asked.

“Extremely,” Win confirmed. “But Minta has done wonders for him.”

“Minta was always my protector. She looked after me as Freddie does Charlie.”

They heard shouts and rushed to the paddock, where the boys were jumping up and down.

“Uncle Win! Sera! Sera! Uncle Win!” they heard as the boys rushed toward them.

“What is it?” she asked as Freddie almost bowled her over.

“We have ponies!” he shouted. “Our own ponies!”

They turned and ran back to the paddock and she looked at Win, arching her brows.

“I wrote to Jefferson, the local man who breeds horses, and sent the note with a footman this morning. I told him I was in need of two ponies for my nephews so that they might learn how to ride. He replied and said he would send them over. That was the true reason for our excursion into the village. I wanted the ponies to be waiting for them when we returned.”

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