Page 140 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter33

Edwin returnedfrom London three days later. Lydia was in the garden with her basket harvesting the last of the cucumbers. She and the cook were poised to spend the afternoon making pickles—sweet, dill, relish, and bread andbutter.

She looked up when the carriage drew into the stable yard. As Edwin got out of the carriage he saw Lydia, waved to her, and shook his head. She knew that meant that he had been unable to secure the settlement until after themarriage.

That had to be a blow for Edwin. However, she still had plenty of work to do here, and it would not be that long before she would be heading off with Ellen to London. Lydia had to admit she was becoming excited by theprospect.

In the meantime, she figured Edwin would want to continue working on the drawings and floor plans. At least she hoped he would. Although she still had some apprehension about them working closely together. They had not spent much time alone since the engagementparty.

Lydia finished harvesting the cucumbers and lugged the large basket to the kitchen where the cook was waiting with crocks, cider vinegar, bags of salt and sugar, and jars of spices ready to start the picklingprocess.

They set to work right away, with Lydia slicing the cucumbers and the cook and her assistant boiling pots of vinegar, water and dumping in salt andsugar.

Lydia wiped her brow with the back of her hand. The kitchen was hot, and she had been slicing for nearly anhournow.

Edwin came into the kitchen and motioned for her tocomeover.

“So your trip was not successful?” sheasked.

“Not in the way I had hoped. No. But it was nice to be in the London townhouse. It has been a while since I was up there. And it let me realize I may not want to keep it after the marriage. It is far too expensive to maintain with staff, maintenance, andtaxes.”

“Then what about Ellen? She is planning to move there. Will she need to find another placetolive?”

“I will not be selling it right away. She will have plenty of time to see what she wants to do. She may decide she doesn’t even want to stay in London. And there is always the possibility that she may want tomarry.”

“Ofcourse.”

Edwin reached into his pocket and pulled out aletter.

“And I was asked to deliver thistoyou.”

“Oh.Thankyou.”

“It is from Daniel. He gave it to me just before I left.” Edwin looked up and surveyed the kitchen. “Smells nice in here. You are pickling,Isee.”

“Yes.”

“Very well. Perhaps tomorrow morning we can meet in the office and take a look at what can be done on our project with the limited funds availabletous.”

Lydia nodded. “I will bethere.”

Edwin turned and left. Lydia looked at the letter but decided not to open it just yet. There was still a lot of work to be done. She would save the letter and read it at home when she could give it her fullattention.

* * *

Lydia sat backin her chair as Gingersnap jumped up into her lap. Lydia rested her head against the back of the chair as she petted the purring cat. She pulled out the letter and looked at it. She was a little apprehensive as she opened it, as she felt she and Daniel had not parted well at the end of the engagement dinner. That kiss had takenitstoll.

Dearest MissLydia,

How different London is from the quiet of rural Shropshire. Both have their charms, as you shall soon discover. But how I love the bustle of London! While in the country, I feared I might start growing roots, sprout branches, and become like a mighty oak never to moveagain.

Caroline is ever so busy with plans for the wedding. The Duchess insists it be held at Honeyfield. I should prefer London, but since the bride and groom shall be living there, I guess it is the appropriate place to hold thefestivities.

It appeared that Caroline had not tried to poison Daniel against her—at leastnotyet.

And now, dear Lydia, it is time for me to muster my courage and apologize for my indiscretion in the garden the night of the engagement party. For I not only had a lapse in judgment when I kissed you, but I was then angry with you for chastising me. I should have known better, and I should have behaved better. I, please, beg for yourforgiveness.

And with that now out of the way, I want to say how much I am looking forward to your and Ellen’s visit to London. I have been studying the entertainments scheduled for January and am looking forward to suggesting any number of fine performances we might attend together. I will draw up a list of possibilities and shall post them to you once I know you have forgiven me for myindiscretion.