Page 38 of The Lady and the Duke

“Are you? Happy to have me here?” Lydiaasked.

“Of course, my dear. Why would you even ask such aquestion?”

Lydia didn’t want to answer that, and instead asked, “There is one morematter,aunt.”

“Yes?”

“I received the most charming note from MissEllen.”

“EllenTempleton?”

“Yes. She has invited me to visit. She is looking for a companion to go riding with her. And as I have never ridden before, she has invited me to come, at my convenience, and take lessons from her with the hope that we can go riding together on a regular basis. Apparently, the Duke has no time to accompany her and she longs for a riding companion. Will you give me permission to visit her? I need to reply to her letter as soon aspossible.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I would need to ask the Duchess and get her permission before I couldgivemine.”

“But if she gave permission would youagree?”

“Possibly. I will speak to her today.” Lavinia added, “That is very nice of Mistress Ellen to invite you. It would be considered an honor and I would be inclined to give my permission if the Duchessagrees.”

“Thank you, Aunt. I would be mostgrateful.”

“But what about your chores and duties? I hope they would not beneglected.”

“Of course, not Aunt. I would be most diligent in keeping up myobligations.”

Lavinia finished her breakfast and rose. “It is almost time for me to leave. Please don’t forget to mail that letter for me. It is mostimportant.”

“Rest assured, Ishall.”

* * *

Before postingAunt Lavinia’s letter to Doctor Winston, she penned one to Ellen to send at the same time. She did not want to be rude and not answer Ellen’s letter promptly. In it, she explained that her Aunt needed to obtain the Duchess’s permission before she could agree to let Lydia visit. With that knowledge, she expected Ellen might put pressure on her mother toacquiesce.

And as she would be going to the post office, she also penned a note to Doctor Cooke suggesting several times she would be available for their introductory walk together. She would drop that off at his office and also visit the market for some neededprovisions.

While Lydia did not like to think she gossiped, she did like to relay pertinent bits of information to Jenny, so she stopped by the Lovell house on herwayout.

“There you are,” Jenny said, “I thought perhaps you’d forgottenaboutme.”

“What are you taking about? I saw you just yesterday afternoon,” Lydia said, defendingherself.

“But you know I have been dying to know what your aunt said about accepting Ellen’sinvitation.”

“Come to market with me. I have several errands and I will tell you everything—including my aunt’s reaction to her letter from DoctorWinston.”

Jenny squealed. “Let me get my basket and letusgo.”

“Hello, Lydia Fernside,” Jenny’s brother, Graham, leaned over Jenny’s shoulder and greetedLydia.

“Mr. Lovell. Good morningtoyou.”

“Nah, not Mr. Lovell. I am Graham. Don’t youremember?”

“Of course I remember, but I am beingpolite.”

“Balderdash. None of that formality around here. We are just country bumpkins, with no breeding and nomanners.”

Lydia laughed. “So you make abundantlyobvious.”