Page 24 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter7

As promised,the coach arrived promptly at three-thirty. Lydia was more than a little nervous. She had participated in many social functions back home in Dorset, hosted by local families with no one of the peerage, no ministers, and no one of higher rank than her father, the vicar, and the local mayor—who was also a pig farmer. The old Duke Piddlehinton never entertained, and the local magistrate lived two towns over and eschewed socialfunctions.

As she got into the carriage, Lydia was surprised to see Dr. Winston seated inside. He nodded and tipped his hattoher.

“Miss Fernside, what a pleasure to see you again,”hesaid.

“Oh, Doctor. What a surprise, I did not think you would be pickingmeup.”

“I could not wait to see you. And I wanted to have a private word with you before we metfortea.”

“Certainly. Have you had a pleasant stay at Honeyfieldsofar?”

“Most delightful,thankyou.”

As the carriage got underway the Doctor fiddled with his hat, not putting it onimmediately.

“Miss Fernside, might I ask a delicate questionofyou?”

“Within reason,” sheanswered.

“I would like to enquire about your AuntLavinia.”

“I don’t know her very well, as we have only just met, but ask your question and I will try to answer as best as Iamable.”

“You see, Miss Lydia, I have taken quiet a liking to your aunt, and I was wondering what her status might be? I know, of course, that she is widowed, but does she have any suitors? Or is she not intending to marryagain?”

Lydia laughed involuntarily. “Forgive me Doctor —I am not laughing at you. But your question has taken me bysurprise.”

Lydia had to consider carefully what she wanted to say. She did not want to offend the Doctor, nor did she want to disparage her aunt. But at the same time, she did not want to paint an untruthful picture of hereither.

“DoctorWinston…”

“Oh, please, are we not good enough friends now for you to call meBernard?”

“Doctor Bernard then,” she said, “And you may call me Miss Lydia ifyoulike.”

“MissLydia.”

“I have so recently arrived here in Upton Magna that I cannot answer your questions with any certainty. As far as I know, no one is courting her. And as for her intentions, that I cannot say. Our relationship is rather formal, and she sees me more as a paid companion than as an intimate friend or closerelative.”

“But do you think she might be amenable toasuit?”

Again Lydia treaded carefully. “I do think she would hear your suit, but I cannot begin to imagine how she might reacttoit.”

The Doctor wasthoughtful.

“I hope that was helpful, but it’s all I can say having known her sobriefly.”

“I understand.Thankyou.”

As the carriage approached Honeyfield Hall, Lydia strained to look out the windows to see the full extent of the estate. They were entering through a long alley of trees that arched over the driveway and led to a circle in front of the house with a magnificent fountain. The house itself was three stories tall and constructed in a simple Georgian style of sandstone andmarble.

The carriage pulled up in front of the entrance, and in short order, a butler came out to escort them inside. He led the way to a drawing room on the first floor, overlooking a beautiful lake behind the house with a grove of well-spaced oaks and hawthorns. A delightful looking walkway skirted the lake and led into thetrees.

The butler left the Doctor and her alone in the room. Lydia stood at the window admiringtheview.

“Quite delightful, isn’t it?” Lydia recognized that it was not the Doctor ’s voice and turned to see who wasspeaking.