Page 29 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter8

“Iwant to hear absolutely everything,”Jenny said the next morning when Lydia returned the borroweddress.

Lydiablushed.

Jenny took Lydia’s arm and dragged her up the stairs to her bedroom. Lydia sat on the edge of Jenny’s bed as Jenny hung the dress in the armoire. Then she turned and faced Lydia, armsakimbo.

“So? I am waiting for every last detail.” She went over and sat next toLydia.

“There really is not that much to tell. The Doctor and I had tea with theduchess.”

“And the Duke? Was hetheretoo?”

“Briefly. He had a wagonload of trees arriving and could not stay. But he was very much the gentleman and welcomed me warmly,” Lydia said, leaving out a lot of significant details and her more intimatethoughts.

“Is he as handsome up close as he isfromafar?”

Lydia blushed again. “Yes, he is quitehandsome.”

“Is he burly, or is he agentleman?”

“I would have to say, he is a bitofboth.”

“How so,” Jenny asked, scooting up closer toLydia.

“He is a man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, but he is also, kindly, accommodating, and seems to take a genuine interest in the person he isspeakingto.”

“Oh, my, that Pamela Stafford is one luckywoman.”

“Yes, I recognize that name. I believe the Duchess mentioned that she and her family were coming to dinner. Whoisshe?”

“One snooty, pompous, hussy who craves a title and has plenty of family funds to back it up. Her father is a beer baron with property, cash, and holdings in shipping, and is investing in these new ventures called railroads. Have you heardofthem?”

“I have,” Lydia said, somewhat subdued by this news about Pamela Stafford. “Is she alocalgirl?”

“No, she comes from Manchester, or Leeds, or some suchplace.”

“Is shepretty?”

“I haven’t seen her, but I’ve heard she certainly thinks so ofherself.”

Lydia was suddenly a little shocked. “We should not be talking like this. It is not right. I never likedgossip.”

Jenny stopped. “Yes, you are right.” She paused. “But it issuchfun.”

Lydia stood. “Thank you for lending me the dress. It wasverykind.”

“Oh, no. You are not getting away so easily. You must tell me more about your tea.” Jenny reached up, and grabbing ahold of Lydia, pulled her back down ontothebed.

“I did meet Ellen, thesister.”

“Oh, yes. And howwasshe?”

“Very lovely. She was most welcoming, and asked that we meetagain.”

“There you go. Then you will most certainly meet the Duke againaswell.”

“He doesn’t like to be called by his title. He asked to be addressed asEdwin.”