Page 14 of The Lady and the Duke

Suddenly Lydia found herself alone with her trunk, three cases, a lunch basket, and her travel valise. The sun was glaring, and her bonnet provided little protection. She shaded her eyes with her hand and nervously scanned her surroundings. She had no idea where her aunt lived. All she had was her address on a piece of paper. She would need to ask a stranger if they could direct her. But what was she to do with her luggage? She couldn’t just leave it here in the road in front of the inn. Perhaps the innkeeper would allow her to store it inside until she could arrange for itstransport.

Once again she felt her eyes tearing up. This was not the welcome she had hoped for, and she regretted ever leaving Piddlehinton. But there was nothing to be done about it but take a deep breath and moveforward.

As she was turning to enter the inn and request storage of her luggage, she spotted a young woman in a green dress running toward her and waving. Lydiastopped.

As the woman approached she laughed and said, “You must beLydia.”

Lydia felt a wave of relief washoverher.

“Yes,Iam.”

“I am so-o-o sorry to be late. I spilled coffee on my dress and had tochange.”

“And who are you?” Lydia askedgiggling.

The woman waved her arms frantically in the air. “How absolutely stupid can one be? I am Jenny Lovell. Your aunt asked me to greet you and help you to yournewhome.”

Lydia smiled broadly. “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Jenny Lovell. And as you must know by now, I am LydiaFernside.”

“Of course, you are.” Jenny leaned in and embraced Lydia. “I just know we are going to be fastfriends.”

“Do you work formyaunt?”

“Oh no, I live next door with one horribly stupid and bumbling brother and a fairly decent mother and father. No sisters, so I shall look upon you tobemine.”

“I should like that. I’ve left two sisters behind so I shall be in need of another.” Lydia liked this new personimmediately.

“So, let’s get you home, shall we?” Jenny asked. She looked around and waved to a young man passing by. She called out. “Thomas!”

The man turned and started toward them. “Jenny… good afternoon. And how are you this fine andgloriousday?”

“Stop flirting, Thomas Allen. We needyourhelp.”

Thomas’s smile disappeared and he tipped his hand to his forehead in a kind of salute. “How may I be ofservice?”

“This is my new friend, LydiaFernside.”

Thomas’s smile instantly reappeared as he studied Lydia. “Thomas Allen,"hesaid.

Jenny continued. “We need you to recruit a few more lads to help us take this luggage to Lavinia Daw’s house. There will be a beer for each of youafter.”

Thomas nodded. “I think I can round up a few louts to help. There are always a few malingerers at the alehouse.” He turnedandleft.

“Is my aunt at home?” Lydiaasked.

“No, that is why she asked me to greet you. She’s with the Duchess today, as she often is. She’s her companion,youknow.”

“Yes, I believe I did know that. But I didn’t know how often she was inattendance.”

Thomas and two other men approached and began to gather up theluggage.

“Lead on,”Thomassaid.

Jenny turned to Lydia. “Come. Let’s take you to yournewhome.”