Page 128 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter30

Lydia admired her own strength.The interaction with Edwin had been painful, but not devastating. She had survived. She would continue to survive. She had to ask herself if she even wanted to consider another man. But it was too soontotell.

However, she was to attend the opera this evening with the handsome Mr. Daniel. She still had the gown from the ball, which with another necklace would be quite suitable for theevent.

She did enjoy having the cottage to herself now. But once again, she had had to pick up a dead mouse that Gingersnap had brought inside as his contribution to the familymaintenance.

As she was dressing for the evening, Lydia tried to imagine what she might be able to feel for Daniel. There was no doubt he was handsome, personable, and of a good family. But she needed to consider whether he was genuinely interested in her, or was he only distracting himself with a dalliance while staying at Honeyfield? It mattered little at the moment; for she was going to spend what she expected would be a pleasant evening with him. And there was no harm in getting to know this young manfurther.

The Beaufort carriage arrived at the appointed time and Lydia greeted Daniel as he came to the door tofetchher.

“Miss Lydia, how charming you look. I hope you will enjoy yourself thisevening.”

“Thank you, Mr. Daniel. I fullyexpectto.”

“What is the name of the opera we shall be hearing this evening?” Lydia asked once they were underway in thecarriage.

It is an Italian opera by a composer named Rossini. It is called theBarber of Seville.It is a comedic opera with very fine music, Iunderstand.”

“You have notheardit?”

“No. But I did know of it when I was inLondon.”

Lydia was curious to see if Daniel would reveal anything about the pending engagement, but she did not pry, and he did not offer anyinformation.

The coach ride was tedious and bumpy, but they finally arrived in Shrewsbury and went directly to the inn where they were to havedinner.

“Miss Lydia, how ever did you become involved with Edwin’s arboretum?” Daniel asked as he nodded to the waiter to fill up the wineglasses.

“I have always been interested in gardening, and my experience with my family’s orchard prompted me to get the Honeyfield orchard intoshape.”

“And it has developed fromthere.”

Lydia nodded. “And you, Mr. Daniel, with your busy law studies, are you able to pursue any leisureactivities?”

“Very few these days. My studies do take up the majority of my time, but I do go drinking with the lads when I am able.” He leaned in. “I do like my wine,youknow.”

Lydia nodded. “Yes, I have noticed.” She tried not to sound judgmental. “But if you had more free time what would you like topursue?”

“Ah, I may have hinted at it before, but I do love to explore strange lands. I have a fellow student whose father is with the East India Company and he suggested we might want to sign on after we finish ourstudies.”

“That sounds exciting. Is that something you might enjoy? But it seems like it might be dangerous?Notso?”

“I would say adventurous rather than dangerous. But there is always the unexpected wild tiger or rampaging elephant,saywhat?”

Lydialaughed.

“No. No. And the British civil service is actively recruiting adventurous lads for service inIndja, don’t ja know,” he said with an exaggerated poshaccent.

Lydia realized she was enjoying herself. It seemed Daniel had a sense of humor, and shelikedthat.

Daniel checked his pocket watch. “Oh, my. We must be going. Time has totally gotten away from me, and we do not want to be late for thecurtain.”

Daniel quickly paid the bill and they hustled across the street to the GrandOrpheum.

After being quickly seated in their box the lights faded, the overture started, and Lydia settled into her seat. Daniel reached over and took her hand, which she allowed. He leaned in andwhispered.

“It is an English translation from the Italian, so you should be able to follow along quitenicely.”