Page 129 of The Lady and the Duke

After the overture, the curtain went up and the most delightful antics followed. Lydia found herself thoroughly enjoying the escapades of the barber and realized she was now anticipating her journey to London even more, with the prospects of more delightful experienceslikethis.

“You seemed to enjoy yourself,” Daniel said as they settled into the carriage for thetriphome.

“Oh, yes, Daniel, I certainly did.” She then proceeded to tell the whole story of the opera and emphasized her joy at the music. She was entranced by her first operaexperience.

The journey back to Honeyfield was shortened for Lydia by the fact that she fell asleep, her head resting against Daniel’sshoulder.

“Miss Lydia, we are home,” Daniel whispered to her, as he roused her fromhernap.

“Oh, Daniel, how rude of me. Did I fall asleeponyou?”

“You did, and it was my great pleasure to serve as yourpillow.”

“I am so embarrassed. Forgive me,Daniel.”

He laughed. “It was not so bad, except for thesnoring.”

Lydia was shocked. “I did not,didI?”

“No, no, I am jestingwithyou.”

“Oh, thank heavens. That would be the last straw. You would have to take me out back andshootme.”

“Fear not. No executions thisevening.”

He led her toherdoor.

“And the most pleasant possible dreams the rest of the night,” he said, tippinghishat.

* * *

“Oh,Lydia, what am I to do. What am I to do?” Mother fussed and dug into her reticule, seated at the cottage table as Lydia served them tea. It was early morning and her mother was on her way to be with theDuchess.

“Calmly now, tell me what the problem is?” Lydia asked as she sat at the table opposite hermother.

Mother could not look Lydia in the eyes. “Mrs. Forbes—Cynthia—exactly as you predicted. A monster. She actually demanded I get down on my hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floor. Can you imagine?” Lydia reached over and put her hand on her mother’s. “It has been nothing but the most vile working of me—as if I was nothing more than a common navy. And if I do not agree to her demands, she bans me from the dinner table and makes me eat in the kitchen. Or gives me nothing to eatatall.”

Lydia did not want to drag this lament out. “Do you want to movebackhere?”

Mother looked at her sheepishly. “If I may? I know it is a terrible imposition. And I would not mind sleeping in the sitting room. You may keep yourbedroom.”

“No, Mother. You should have the bedroom. It is no hardship for me to sleepinhere.”

Her mother’s face filled with relief. “Oh, youaremy angel. How can I ever thank you? And I was thinking, if you don’t mind terribly, I should like to move that sweet chest from the sitting room into the bedroom. I did not have enough drawer space when I was here before. I know you keep a few of your delicates in there, but might it not be possible for you to store them in a suitcase that you can slip underyourbed?”

Lydia sighed. “Yes, Mother, whateveryouneed.”

“Excellent. Then I shall require the pony and trap for later so that I may retrieve my belongings from the vile Widow Forbes while she is out at her luncheon party. You can arrange that for me, canyounot?”

“Mother, I shall beworking.”

“But Edwin will not mind you taking a few minutes to help your poor old mother, no?” She stared at Lydia with her guilt-inducinggaze.

“I will do what I can. If you tell me what time you will require the trap I will inform the groom to have it ready foryouthen.”

“Eleven-thirty. Mrs. Forbes’s luncheon is at noon. She will surely not be home until late afternoon, as luncheon always involves several rounds of cards. That should give me plenty of time to get my things andleave.”

Mother had asked Lydia nothing about what had transpired with her since Mother had gone off to live with the Widow. And Lydia thought that just as well, as she did not feel like relating the information about the pending engagement. Her mother would surely know all about that from the Duchessalready.