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“He’s always been the one with the knack for handling difficult babies. He probably fears you’ve knocked him off his pedestal.”
“Oh, dear. I suppose that’s why he decided to stay back at the house with Gus.”
“Yes, he said he intended toget the nursery sorted.I shouldn’t be surprised if the nursemaids quit by the end of the day.”
“Good God, I hope not. You’ll make me spend all my time in the nursery.”
“With Angus,” Sabrina drolly replied.
“Gus will likely yell his poor little head off the next time he sees me, in which case I will happily cede my position to Angus.”
“I certainly hope not. This is the first time my little angel has slept through the night, which means it was the first time Graeme and I slept through the night since he was born. When we awoke this morning, Graeme leapt out of bed in absolute terror, convinced something was wrong with Gus. He bolted upstairs to the nursery without even putting his breeches on. He frightened poor Abby—that’s the junior nursemaid—out of her wits.”
Kathleen almost choked. “Did she scream? I thought I heard a scream this morning.”
“She most certainly did. Fortunately, Hannah had already taken Gus into the other room to bathe him,” Sabrina said, referring to her maid. “Unfortunately, Abby’s screech brought Grant running upstairs too, also sans breeches. He thought someone was being murdered, so there was no time to waste on clothing.”
By now, Kathleen was wheezing with laughter. “Were they at least wearing their smalls?” she managed.
“Thankfully, yes.”
“They must have made quite the impressive sight, though. Kendrick men are splendidly . . .”
She’d been about to saywell endowed, but realized what an inappropriate term that was under the circumstances.
“Well built,” she finished.
Sabrina waggled her eyebrows. “You have no idea.”
Kathleen had to admit she’d like to catch a glimpse of Grant Kendrick wearing only his smalls.
“Hannah, however, was not impressed,” added Sabrina. “She gave the lads a good scold for scaring the nursemaid and told Graeme that fellows running about in their skivvies was not how proper folk behaved. She also called them carrot-topped madmen, larking about in their unmentionables. Needless to say, the twins meekly apologized and slunk back to their rooms.”
Kathleen laughed. “I must say that Lochnagar seems a rather unusual household.”
“Well, I do hope to convince my spouse to keep his breeches on, at leastoutsideour bedroom.”
Kathleen pressed a dramatic hand to her chest. “Is this truly my cousin Sabrina? The most perfectly polite, perfectly correct woman in London?”
“It’s the Kendrick influence. It tends to addle one’s brain.”
“As well as other parts, apparently.”
Sabrina raised her eyebrows. “Now who’s being the naughty one?”
“Guilty as charged. That’s why I’ve been foisted on you, old girl.”
“I, for one, am exceedingly grateful for the foisting. As much as I love my life, Lochnagar can a bit overwhelming, even with the help of our truly wonderful staff.” She pretended to shudder. “I still get nightmares thinking about the state of our water closets when we first arrived. Add in smugglers, wood rot, crumbling stonework, stubborn tenants, chimneys that smoke . . .”
“And a husband and baby to care for. You’ve been run off your feet, haven’t you?”
“I will admit that I’m grateful to have your help, especially with the gardens.”
“Well, I’m as good with gardens as I am with babies, so never fear,” Kathleen stoutly said.
“Your baby-tending skills are a most welcome bonus. And I’m so grateful that Grant has decided to stay, too. Graeme needs his help.”
Kathleen’s foot seemed to catch on a small stone. “Um, he’s staying?”
