Read Online The Frog Earl by Carola Dunn - Free Book Online Page B

you don't care to come, I daresay you will be so obliging as to help Mrs. Forbes with her work.”
    They left a very pink-faced baronet attached by a strand of wool to an agitated chaperon. Simon was hard put to it to restrain his mirth until the drawing-room door closed behind them.
    Mimi chuckled, but then said guiltily, “I hope he doesn't make poor Mrs. Forbes too uncomfortable. I've used her badly, I fear, for she is never at ease with visitors in the best of circumstances. Now why, I wonder, is Sir Wilfred so set upon not seeing my tadpoles?”
    “That's a good question. I suspect he is afraid for his dignity. He'd be bound to be noticed by your servants, and doubtless the tale would spread.”
    “Oh yes, he'd hate that. I really must try to get him to the scullery.”
    “What the devil are you about, Princess?”
    She laughed merrily. “I cannot tell you.”
    “Then you have a purpose?”
    “Now that would be telling.” She pushed open the kitchen door. “Cook, we won't be disturbing you now?”
    “Nay, lass, come on through. There's nowt doing in t'scullery this while.” She curtsied to Simon, who smiled and nodded.
    Crossing the kitchen, he noted that it was high-ceilinged, light and airy, with an impressive, new-looking closed stove. The colonel, it seemed, was as solicitous of his servants' well-being as of the plight of unknown orphans, a trait Simon appreciated after being responsible for the crew of HMS Intrepid . The stone-flagged scullery, with its iron pump and zinc-lined sinks, was spotlessly clean.
    Mimi went straight to a Crown Derby casserole sitting on a draining board near the window. “Here they are.”
    “They must be the most expensively housed tadpoles in the world.”
    “But they don't seem very happy.” She peered anxiously into the bowl. “I think those two are dead.”
    “Very. You need to give them clean water, I expect. See how murky it is? What do you feed them on?”
    “Bread crumbs.”
    “Well enough, but they'd probably like a bacon rind to nibble on, maybe even some minced beef. Remember frogs are carnivores.”
    “Yes, of course, I had not thought. Did you keep tadpoles when you were a boy?”
    “No, I was never allowed to. I had a pet frog at school, though.” Simon had forgotten Leaper, who had won several wagers for him. The memory cheered him. “He was a splendid jumper and I was very fond of him. I was going to let him go down by the river, but he had an unfortunate encounter with a cat.”
    “How sad.” She touched his hand in sympathy. “I don't want any more of these tadpoles to die. How shall I change the water without letting them escape?”
    “Hmm, let me think. If we pour off the dirty water through a sieve, then we'll catch any that slip out.”
    “Do you mean to help me?”
    He grinned at the mingled surprise and caution in her voice. “Don't worry, I shan't claim a reward.”
    A fiery blush mantled her golden cheeks—like a stormy sunset, he thought. At that moment the door to the kitchen court opened and a skinny lad in the dress of a groom appeared.
    “Jacko!” She seemed delighted at the interruption.
    Halting on the doorstep, the boy touched his hat. “Beg pardon, Miss Mimi, I di'n't know as you had comp'ny. I just come to take a peek at them tadpoles.”
    “Come in, Jacko, you can help us. This is Mr. Hurst. We're going to change their water.” She explained Simon's plan.
    “Right, miss. I'd best draw some water in a bucket so's we c'n fill up the dish right away.” He went to the pump and started to work the handle.
    “I'll ask Cook for a sieve.” Mimi went into the kitchen.
    Simon quickly reached into the casserole and scooped out the two dead tadpoles. The pathetic little scraps lay on his palm. “What the devil shall I do with these?” he demanded.
    “Stick 'em down the drain, sir, quick afore she comes back,” Jacko advised approvingly. “They'll wash down wi' the dirty water.”
    They exchanged a smile at their