Page 144 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter34

Doctor and Mrs. Cookehad delayed their honeymoon. Winter was not the best time to travel, so they decided to take a trip to Italy in the spring and summer. That gave Jenny a completely new set of interests to get excitedabout.

Lydia’s first visit with Jenny, as Mrs. Cooke, was at hernewhome.

“Welcome, Miss Fernside, do come in,” the maid said, as she answered the door. “Mrs. Cooke is expecting you. If you will just follow me,please,Miss.”

It was somewhat disorienting to be seeing Jenny in her new home. It was finer and more formal than her family home, and Lydia had to wonder if the new circumstances would change Jenny inanyway.

“Lydia!” Jenny shouted, as she sprang out of her chair and rushed over to embrace Lydia in a bear hug. “What do you think of this stuffy old house? Is it not ahorror?”

It had not changed Jenny so far, Lydiarealized.

“I cannotwaituntil I can start redecorating. This place needs light, color, air.” She twirled in a circle pointing to all the room’s many perceivedfaults.

Then she suddenly stopped. The maid was standing attentively at the door to the sitting room. “Tea. Yes. I must order tea.” She turned to the maid. “Janet, we will haveteanow.”

“Yes, Mrs. Cooke.” She turnedandleft.

“How about that? I do not have to do anything for myself. I just ring this little bell and… poof, itappears.”

“You seem to be doing well,” Lydia said. “Are you enjoyingmarriedlife?”

“I suppose you mean…” Jenny gave a lascivious smile and waggledherhand.

Lydia blushed. “Oh, Jenny, no. I did not mean thatatall.”

“Well, it is al-l-l good, let me tell you.” Jenny suddenly threw her hands up in the air again. “Oh, come—sit. No point in standing about. Tea takes no time in this household. I believe the cook keeps the kettle on a constant boil. Tea in amoment.”

And surly enough, the door opened and Janet came in with the tea tray and placed it on the table next to Jenny’schair.

“Are you excited about Italy?” Lydia asked? “How are you going? Through France bycarriage?”

“No, we are taking a boat from Southampton to Naples. I think a sea voyage will be almost as much fun as Italyitself.”

Lydia sighed. “Oh, Jenny, it sounds wonderful. How Ienvyyou.”

“Then marry your Duke and travel theworld.”

Lydia shook her head. “You know that cannot be. He is engaged to an Earl’s daughter. What could he possibly wantwithme?”

The door opened and the face of Doctor Cookepeekedin.

“Hello, ladies. Just wanted to say hello betweenpatients.”

“Oh, Reggie, how nice.” Jenny sprang up from her chair and ran over and threw her arms around her husband’s neck. She gave him multiple little kisses all overhisface.

Lydia could not help but reflect for a brief moment that it might have been her living in this house and giving the doctor little kisses. But she did not regret that it wasnotso.

“Miss Lydia, it is grand to see you again. I understand you are soon off toLondon.”

“I am—and greatly looking forward to it. It is to be my firstvisit.”

“Have an enjoyable stay.” He turned to his wife, “I must go—Mrs. Bridge’s bunions.” He rolledhiseyes.

Jenny reached out to him as he left. Lydia could see that they were truly in love. She returned to herchair.

“Tell me—is Mr. Daniel to be in London when you are?” Jennyasked.