Page 114 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter27

The eveningbefore the dinner at Honeyfield honoring the guests, Caroline and Daniel, Lydia was doing some minor sewing repairs on the dress she would be wearing. Her mother sat opposite her at the table. Lydia had noticed at supper that her mother had something onhermind.

“Lydia, my pet, I have something I would like to discuss with you,” she saidfinally.

“Yes, Mother?” She looked up from hersewing.

“Mrs. Forbes, as you know is a widow—as am I—and finding that she is all alone in her very large house, has asked if I should like to move in with her. She says I shall be such greatcompany.”

“Really? And how do you feel about that? Is that an idea you findagreeable?”

Mother hesitated but said, “I do. You know how cramped it is with the two of us living together in this tiny cottage. Just think, you could have all of this to yourself. Would you notlikethat?”

Lydia was not certain how agreeable it would be to live with Mrs. Forbes, but who was shetosay?

“I would miss you, ofcourse.”

“Yes, but I would still be at Honeyfield almost every day. I am sure our paths would crossfrequently.”

“And what about the trap and pony? How would wemanagethat?”

“Well, Mrs. Forbes has her own carriage, and she assures me I might have its use whenever I like. I should be driven to and from Honeyfield each day. And she has a housekeeper, and a cook, and even a butler. It would almost be like the old days at Piddlehinton with your father—before we fell on hard times. And I am sure you can manage the trap and pony by yourself. That is, if you choose tokeepit.”

Lydia thought about the proposal. It certainly would be nice to have the cottage to herself—that she had to admit. But she still had reservations about the suitability of theproposal.

“But Mother, are you not afraid you might tire of each other—with just the two of you livingalone?”

“Oh, no, dear. I shall be with Her Grace during the daytime, and it would only be for a few hours in the evening that Mrs. Forbes and I should be together. And wedofind each other quite agreeable. I foresee noproblem.”

“Very well, then. Do you know when you should like to move inwithher?”

“On my next free day. Mrs. Forbes… Cynthia… we use first names now… has arranged for her carriage to collect me and my luggage on that afternoon. I shall spend the remaining time here packing up my fewbelongings.”

“Very well. Let me know if I can help you inanyway.”

Gingersnap pounced on Lydia’s lap causing her to prick herself with the sewing needle. “Ah… cat!” she cried out. Startled, the cat jumpedbackdown.

* * *

Lydia was visitingwith Ellen prior to the two of them going down todinner.

“Are you excited about seeing London for the first time?” Ellen asked Lydia, sitting at her dressing table, as her personal maid was working onherhair.

“I am, but a little apprehensive as well. But quite honestly, I have no idea what to expect. All I have ever known are small rural villages my entire life. The biggest city I ever saw was when we passed through Shrewsbury on the way to UptonMagna.”

“Then, I shall take you in hand and we shall see everything together. By the time you leave, you shall be a seasonedLondoner.”

“You must advise me on what I should take to wear. I am not certain I will have theLondonlook.”

“Never you mind. We shall go shopping. I am sure you could do with a few newfrocks,no?”

Lydia grimaced. “If I can afford any at Londonprices.”

Ellen threw her hands into the air. “We have accounts at all the best dressmakers. Mamma just waves her hand when presented with the bills and says ‘Pay them.’ She will never know she is paying for an extra dressortwo.”

“Wicked,” Lydia said laughing. “And have you yet met our guests since theyarrived?”

“I have not. I know them, of course, but I was writing when they came and was not to bedisturbed.”