Page 37 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter10

When Lydia wentto awaken Aunt Lavinia at four forty-five the next morning, she was shocked when her aunt said she intended to sleep in. Did that mean morning prayers were cancelled, as well? For a moment Lydia just stood in front of her aunt’s door, unsure whether to go back to bed herself or to start the morningchores.

She did not want to put her aunt in a bad mood, so she decided not to take a chance, and she dressed and went downstairs to add coal to the stove and ready breakfast for when her aunt would finallycomedown.

After doing her preparations in the kitchen for breakfast, Lydia started making a stew for her dinner, which she would simmer slowly on the stove during themorning.

Aunt Lavinia came into the kitchen. “Would you be so kind?” she said, as she held out a letter. “I have no stamps. Perhaps you could stop by the post office and post this for me thismorning?”

“Of course, Aunt.” She took the letter and put it in her apronpocket.

Once again there was a lightness about her aunt, and Lydia began to think that this might be the perfect opportunity to bring up her intended walks, and Ellen’s letter, while she was still basking in the glow of Doctor Winston’sletter.

“Aunt, did you want to attend to prayers before breakfast?” Lydiaasked.

Lavinia raised her eyes to the ceiling and thoughtaboutit.

“No, I think not. I am a bit peckish and ready forbreakfast.”

“Very well, please go sit, and I will bring your breakfastrightaway.”

“I would very much like some of that special quince jam Mrs. Lovell gave me atChristmas.”

“Ofcourse.”

Lydia served her aunt who was once again reading Doctor Winston’sletter.

Lydia served herself breakfast and sat down at thetable.

“Aunt, might I haveaword?”

Lavinia looked up. “Yes, dear, whatisit?”

Lydia saw her response as a good sign and launched into herquestions.

Lydia was not above stretching the truth just a little and she began by saying, “As you know Doctor Cooke has said my ankle has mendednicely.”

“I am mostpleased.”

“He also suggested that regular exercise would do me a world of good and would help strengthen my ankle and make it less likely that I would sprain it again. I took constitutional walks daily at home and he thought that would be an excellent solution, and has offered to show me some of the local walks I mightenjoy.”

Lavinia frowned slightly. “You would go walking with the Doctor? Is that quite proper? I assume you will bechaperoned?”

Lydia squirmed slightly in her chair. “No, I don’t believe that would be necessary. He is a perfect gentleman and has a sterling reputation in the community, asyouknow.”

“I must echo the Duchess and say, ‘what is the modern worldcomingto?’”

“Please, Aunt. He only intends to introduce me to the walks, and then I shall take my daily constitutional on my own after that. Remember it is for my health and well-being. He is a busy practicing doctor and is most graciously offering to assist me in hissparetime.”

Lavinia considered as she spread her toast with jam. “Very well, then. As long as it is not to be a regular occurrence. However, if he was to declare his intentions, and you were an engaged couple, I don’t see that a walk in the country would be seen as animpropriety.”

Lydia was taken aback. “Engaged? Aunt, we barely know each other. The thought of an engagement is the farthest thing from my mind atthistime.”

“Well, it is something you need to be considering at your age. Most young ladies in your situation would be most eager to find a husband before they wither away tonothing.”

Lydia couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh, Aunt, I am hardly about to shrivel up and blow away at a meretwenty.”

“I am sure you do not want to be a companion under my roof for too long, as happy as I am to haveyouhere.”