Page 33 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter9

Lydia nervously awaitedthe return of her aunt. She sat in the sitting room with her foot up on an ottoman. Her uncle’s cane was by her side. She was reading the novel she had recently borrowed when her aunt returned fromHoneyfield.

“Good evening, Aunt Lavinia,” Lydia said, as her aunt stood to stareather.

“Niece, what has happenedtoyou?”

Lydia explained the fall, Jenny’s assistance, and the visit from DoctorCooke.

“Miss Jenny is, indeed, a most charming and helpful young woman. That was a good Christian act. Is your footbroken?”

“No. It is just a sprainedankle.”

“Well, that is a blessing.” She studied Lydia as she thought. “And how are you gettingabout?”

“I found Uncle’s cane in the study. I have been able to manage fairly well with that.” Lydia then brought up the subject she was dreading. “I am sorry I have not been able to finish the dusting in the library. I tried to straighten up a little, but the Doctor has said I must stay off the foot as much as possible, at least for the nextfewdays.”

“So you will be unable to do any of your daily chores?” she asked rathercrossly.

“Jenny said she would help me however she could. She can go to the market for me and help with any lifting or tasks here in thehouse.”

Lavinia took off her bonnet and busied herself with her shawl, then turned back toLydia.

“So I may not expect any meaningful work from you for a week or so. Is thatcorrect?”

“Yes, I am afraidso,Aunt.”

“Most inconvenient. How is the house to be managed? I imagine you expect me to take overandcare for youaswell?”

“Certainly not, Aunt. I can care for myself, and with Jenny’s help the rest of the duties should be takencareof.”

“We’ll see. Come, it is time for prayers. But I do not imagine you will be able to kneel,willyou?”

“No, Aunt.” Lydia had a brief moment where she thought she might be excused for prayers thisevening.

“Then you can sit in a chair. I do not believe the Lord will mind under thecircumstances.”

“Yes,Aunt.”

* * *

Over the nextseveral days Lydia was able to coordinate with Jenny so that all the errands and chores were covered. Jenny would stop by first thing in the morning so they could plan out the day. And if there were nothing that needed doing in the morning, Jenny would still come by every few hours just to see if Lydia neededanything.

Lydia, being young and fit, from all her walking in Piddlehinton, began to heal quickly. At the end of the first week, she no longer needed Jenny’s assistance. She was walking carefully, unaided, through the downstairs, and needed the cane only to climb the stairs. Besides being free to do all of her chores unaided, she longed to start taking her regular walks again. She had neglected walking since she arrived in Upton Magna and was determined to find some convenient local paths or trails where she might recommence her daily walkingroutine.

By the middle of the next week, she felt it was time to visit Dr. Cooke and have him evaluate her progress. Jenny had given her directions to Doctor Cooke’s office and she set out mid-morning and took her time, taking the cane along as an addedprecaution.

Doctor Cooke’s office was on the ground floor of his house on High Street. He had a waiting room and a consultation room. There were two people waiting to see the Doctor when sheentered.

After half an hour, Cooke invited her into theconsultationroom.

“Miss Fernside, what a pleasure to see you. How is the ankle? Have there been any problems?” he asked, as he offered her achair.

“Doctor Cooke, I am happy to report that it seems to be almost healed. You asked that I come for an examination, so hereIam.”

“Excellent. Let us takealook.”

He knelt down and carefully took her foot in his hands. He felt gingerly with hisfingers.