Page 125 of The Lady and the Duke

Lydia turned to the workers and gave them specific instructions before leaving them to go withEdwin.

“I need your help with the greenhouse. I must place my order for construction materials very soon if I am to get the construction completed beforenextyear.”

“And how can I help you? I have no experience withgreenhouses.”

“I need to go over with you what plant materials we want to house eventually. The scope of the collection will determine the size of the greenhouse, and I need your advice on what you think we can manage, keeping the goal of the arboretuminmind.”

They headed to the office and wentinside.

Edwin plopped a large volume down on the table and began leafing through thepages.

“Here, can you make notes, please,” he asked. He pointed to a series of tropical ferns. “I have sources that can procure a number of these. How many do you think we will need? I have no idea how fast they grow or how much space they willtakeup.”

Lydia stopped writing. “Edwin, I think before we start to talk numbers we should have a diagram of the extent of the greenhouse. We need to know our space before we choose our plants. We need dimensions. How high is the ceiling going to be? What are the water sources? Are you going to have ponds and waterfalls in the landscape? I am sure you can see it all in your mind but we need to be exactinglyspecific.

Edwin stopped his page turning. “Ah, Miss Lydia, once again you humble me with your sensible thinking. Of course, I have hand drawings of what I want but I do need to be more specific, doInot?”

“It seems that a greenhouse on the scale you envision will need an architect to accurately design and build your structure. Then when you know the square footage and the basic design elements of the garden, then we can select and order theplants.”

“Tell me, Miss Lydia, what would I do without yourinvaluablehelp?”

“And are there not cost considerations? Have you a budget for thisproject?”

Lydia stood up and confronted Edwin directly. “Let me suggest that the two of us begin by designing a ground plan of the garden you want in the greenhouse. Then let us select the type of plants you want so we can determine the dimensions of the garden. Then I suggest you submit that to a greenhouse architect—if such a professional exists—and let him draw up preliminary plans and a cost estimate. Then we can move forward with theimplementation.”

“How sensibleyouare.”

“And I would think that is going to take a great deal longer than you might imagine. I am guessing it will take at least a year before you can startconstruction.”

“Then let us get underway with exactly thatscenario.”

“And you might want to consider working on your outdoor gardens in the meantime. There are plenty of opportunities to begin construction on those even during the winter, istherenot?”

Edwin’s face lit up. “Let us begin right away on the greenhouse planstogether.”

“Yes, we can do that, but I still need to tend to the new orchard and finish my planning for next season’s vegetablegarden.”

“Yes, yes, we can do all of that.” Edwin was so excited he went over and grabbed Lydia by the shoulders and pulled her to him and gave herakiss.”

“Oh,” she said as she reeled backwardafter.

Edwin realized what he had done in his exuberance and also took a stepbackward.

“Miss Lydia, forgive me. It was a result of my sudden excitement. I… I… forgive me, please. I wenttoofar.”

Lydia put her hand up to her lips. “Perhaps I became too excited myself. It was just the moment, wasitnot?”

“Absolutely. Again, please, accept myapologies.”

She nodded. But she was in extreme inner turmoil and said, “Please excuse me. I need a moment.” And she left theoffice.

Lydia had nowhere to go. But her first thought was to seek out Ellen. She ran to the house and went up to Ellen’s room andknocked.

“Come,” Ellencalledout.

Lydia entered and shut the door behind her and leanedagainstit.

Ellen looked up and was startled at Lydia’swildlook.