Page 123 of The Lady and the Duke

Her mother looked over, with an exasperated look. “What is it,Lydia?”

“Jenny has told me some very troubling tales about Mrs. Forbes. I think it is unwise for you to move into her house. I know it is late to change plans, but it is for your own peace of mind. Jenny says Mrs. Forbes will treat you verybadly.”

Mother looked conflicted, and she fussed with the packing, and then said, “That must be complete nonsense. Cynthia has been nothing but the very best friend to me. Whatever Miss Jenny said must be in error. I am not going to abandon my plans at this late date and insult a fine lady. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to finish mypacking.”

Lydia knew better than to engage further with her mother when she had her mind set, so she left and took the trap back to thestables.

After she got the pony fed and settled, she left the stable to go over to the orchard to see if all the holes had been completed asplanned.

As she was leaving, she caught sight of Caroline standing near the entrance to the house, as though she was waiting forsomeone.

Once Caroline saw Lydia, she started heading toward her. Lydia stopped to waitforher.

“Good afternoon, Miss Caroline, are you having apleasantday?”

Caroline stopped before her but was silent at first. “And this is what you do?” she finally asked, waving her hand toward theorchard.

“Yes. The orchard had been neglected and I have been bringing it back intoshape.”

“Is that not the work of servants?” she asked with a decided sneer in hervoice.

“It takes someone with knowledge of horticulture to handle the job properly,” Lydia said. She was not going to allow herself to be bullied by thiswoman.

“And thatisyou?”

Lydia did not respond but studied her response. She decided to get right to the issue. “Miss Caroline. Do you have a problemwithme?”

Caroline did not seem to be expecting such a direct question andhesitated.

“Edwin… he talks about you all the time. It is always Lydia this…Lydiathat.”

“He isverykind.”

“He is not kind. He is infatuated. And I want it to stop. The Duchess has every intention that he and I shall marry. My family wishes it. His family wishes it. So this is a warning. Stay away from Edwin and do not try to entice him with your charms andwiles.”

Lydia could only laugh, which completely threwCaroline.

“You are laughing at me?” she shouted,indignantly.

“Oh, no, Miss Caroline. I am not laughing at you. I am laughing atmyself.”

Again Caroline did not know how to take her comment, and said, “I do notunderstand.”

“Of course, you do not. I am laughing at myself because at one point I fancied that he might be interested in me. But it is absurdly funny for me to think that Edwin would have any serious romantic interest in me, whatsoever. And thus I laugh atmyself.

“However, you, Miss Caroline, are sadly absurd, and not funny, because you care not for Edwin, but only foryourself.

“I, however, care only for Edwin and not myself. I want what is best for him. And, by the way, I think he is perfectly capable of deciding for himself what is in his best interests. And now, good day, MissCaroline.”