Page 12 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter4

The next morning,the clouds, cold wind, and rain had disappeared and there was a freshness in the air. Lydia opened her casement window and stood to admire the brightsunshine.

She went to the dining room for a light breakfast and Doctor Winston nodded to her as she entered. He offered to share his table with her but she chose to sit alone as she wanted to enter an entry into herjournal.

Waiting in front of the inn for the carriage to arrive with fresh horses, Lydia got into conversation, once again, with the professor. He reminded her of her father, as they were of the same age, and he too had rosy cheeks and a pleasantsmile.

“How nice that we shall be traveling all the way to Upton Magna together,” he said. “I am sorry I was not of much company yesterday, but I am afraid Mrs. Butley put me off with her pryingquestions.”

“I quite understand,” Lydia said, “she seemed to disapprove that I was neither married nor engaged atmyage.”

“Then let us have a pleasant travel day with light banter, or none at all, as we feel in the moment,” the Doctorreplied.

The carriage finally arrived, their luggage was loaded, and they were soon on their way for the next leg of their journey. Fortunately, they had the carriage to themselves and they alternately gazed at the countryside, chatted, or retreated into theirbooks.

They stopped at an inn for a light noon dinner and this time Lydia accepted the offer to dine with theprofessor.

During the conversation over Dover sole, boiled potatoes, and peas, Lydia asked, “Was Mr. Templeton a goodstudent?”

“Oh yes, a fine student. He graduated with honors, although he seemed much more interested in horticulture than the classics. He was always bringing in cuttings, seedlings, or small packages of seeds into our tutorials. Many were the times when I would discover a dead plant or dried dirt between the cushions of the sofa. When focused on his studies he often became absent minded—not unlike me—and would leave without collecting all of hisbelongings.”

“So he is a man of the natural world?” Lydiaasked.

“More specifically, flora. He was never one to dissect frogs or collect bugs onapin.”

“I too love to garden. I am hoping my aunt will have space to put in a garden if she does not have one already.” She was almost on the verge of tears, once again. “We have the most beautiful orchard back home. I shall miss that mostawfully.”

“Do not fret, my dear, every place has its own charms and I am sure you will find yourself right at home before youknowit.”

“Thank you, Dr. Winston, you aremostkind.”

After their meal, they continued their travels in silence for a short while before Dr. Winston suggested, “I have an idea, why not come visit me during my visit at Honeyfield, and I can introduce you to the Duke and his mother, the Duchess. She is somewhat indisposed, but I am certain we can all have tea together someafternoon.”

“That would be lovely. But I will need to consult with my aunt first to see what her needs will be before I can commit. After all, I am going there toserveher.”

“Certainly. But it would be a great treat to see you again before I go back toOxford.”

After their repast and the recommencement of their journey, the Doctor soon drifted off into an afternoon nap and Lydia picked up her journal to make an entry, but the carriage was shifting and bouncing too much to write legibly and she soon put the journal aside and enjoyed the vistas outside thewindow.

Lydia had rarely travelled far from Piddlehinton so it was a treat to see other areas of the country. The rolling hills, streams, rivers, and vast fields, moors, and wooded areas delighted her. Soon she found herself dozingaswell.

And then, while it was still light, they arrived at their next destination—The Golden Hind Hotel and Pub. The inn was on a lively rushing river and the soothing sound of water led Lydia to believe she would sleep soundly thatnight.

“If you are free and so inclined, shall we share the evening supper in the dining room?” the Doctorasked.

“Certainly, Dr. Winston, I would bedelighted.”

“And I would like you to be my guest. I know traveling can be expensive. The Duke has kindly sent me my traveling expenses, and they are way in excess of my modest needs, so I hope you will accept myoffer.”

“Very kind. I will accept,thankyou.”

Lydia was directed to her room. It was quite small, with a rather suspect bed, but the window at the back of the hotel opened onto the river that provided a lively and most pleasingsound.

Lydia removed her bonnet, opened her traveling valise, and removed her journal and wrote the entry she’d not been able to write in thecarriage.

It was still an hour until she was to meet the Doctor for dinner, and, as she was tired, she lay down on the bed for ashortnap.

When she awoke it was completely dark. She struggled to light a candle and checked the timepiece her father had given her as a parting gift. It was two o’clock in themorning.