Oh, Cherry Ripe

“Nicely done,” Cherry said and affectionately touched Francine’s ear before meeting young Bromley’s already fascinated gaze and offering her hand. “I am so pleased to meet you, my lord.”

Instead of shaking her hand, he clipped his heels together and bent over her fingers, and Cheryl almost laughed. She did not, however, and contemplated him somberly until Francine asked innocently, “Freddy, since you are home, does that mean that Miss Parker is your governess as well?”

Freddy laughed out loud and ruffled her fair curls. “No, m’girl … I am too old for a governess.” He turned to Cherry and nodded towards Prancer. “You handle him well—I was never really able to get Mary to ride him, and he doesn’t seem to like men.”

“He certainly is full of spirit, but I think all he needs is consistent work.” She smiled back at Freddy. “Tell me, my lord, if you would, how do you happen to be home from Eton so early in the season?”

“Zounds—you do come to the point!” He chuckled and then met her gaze steadily. “I was sent home in disgrace.”

“Were you?” Cherry responded thoughtfully and then added, “How very exciting. What did you do—let a monkey loose in the dining hall?”

He laughed. “Egad! What a wonderful notion. No, far more common than that. I was caught climbing through my window … after hours.”

She eyed him a moment. “Well, that is breaking the rules to be sure, but one doesn’t usually get sent home—”

He cut her off. “For the third time and after a very severe warning. Dr. Hendricks is a right ’un, but he didn’t have a choice.”

“Freddy …” Felix shook his head in some disgust. “How could you get caught three times?”

This set off a round of laughter and teasing, and then Cherry asked, “Seriously …?”

“Aye.” Freddy sighed at that. “But when one considers that three out of perhaps ten or twelve nightly excursions in one month, one doesn’t feel so badly.” A broad grin covered his adorable face.

Felix touched his brother’s arm and pronounced him to be a ‘complete hand’.

“Now just a moment, gentlemen.” This surprised her, for she had during her London season become such a prankster. “Although we have had a bit of a laugh, we must consider that getting oneself expelled is not what a Bromley owes himself or his name.” Her tone was firm yet gentle as she eyed Freddy a warning and then Felix.

Felix found the ground fascinating and could not tear his gaze away as Freddy leveled a look at Cherry and apparently decided that anything she said was perfectly right with him. “Point taken, Miss Parker, but I can’t regret it, for if I hadn’t gotten caught and been sent down, I wouldn’t be here now … with you …”

“Aw, Freddy …” Felix complained as he watched his brother fall into infatuation.

“I am famished,” Francine announced, “and it is time for tea!”

~ Ten ~

“HERE, LET ME help you with that,” Freddy said solicitously as he jumped to assist Cheryl in moving the children’s writing table across the room.

She allowed him to do so and stepped back to view this handiwork thoughtfully. “That’s better,” she pronounced with some satisfaction, and then to the twins asked, “Don’t you think?”

Felix eyed the desk with the sun streaming in from the window, open books reposing invitingly on the desk, and shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose,” he conceded.

“Felix …” his sister said, shaking her head. “It is much, much better then being stuck in that dreary corner.” She turned to Cherry and added, “Our other governesses were afraid we would look out the window and not pay attention.”

“There is that.” Cherry laughed. “But I hope to make the lessons interesting enough that you will concentrate … most of the time.”

That drew even a reluctant grin from Felix, who then said, “You know, exercise is very important as well …”

“Yes,” agreed his sister.

“What did you have in mind?” Cherry allowed with a rueful smile.

“The pond … could we please go see the ducklings before the day is lost … please, Miss Parker?”

“Very well, ducklings are very good teachers … so, yes, to the pond.”

Felix eyed her suspiciously and said under his breath, “Wonder when she means to drop the hammer? Francie, this one is too good to be true.”

His sister ignored him—as did Cherry, who had heard every word. She sent them off to fetch their coats while she took up her cream-colored shawl.