Page 39 of The Lady and the Duke

Graham kissed his sister’s neck. “I like her. She is my kind of lass. Saucy and not about to take any rotfromme.”

Jenny turned to him. “She is w-a-a-y above even your wildest hopes and dreams. So be a gentleman anddisappear.

“Whatever you say. Good-bye, deliciousLydia.”

“Good morning,” Lydia saidlaughing.

Jenny took Lydia’s arm and they set off for theirerrands.

Lydia filled Jenny in on all of the latest news. She was hoping she might get a glimpse of Doctor Cooke when she delivered the note, but he was with a patient so she left it in his letter box and they headed for the post office and themarket.

“Those cauliflowers look very nice,” Jenny said pointing to a barrow acrosstheway.

Lydia turned to look, after placing carrots in her basket. And, as she turned, she bumped intosomeone.

“Excuse me,” she said, and then looked up to seeEdwin.

“Good morning, Miss Fernside,” he said tippinghishat.

“Oh, Edwin, what a pleasant surprise. I was just going to mail a letter to your sister. Perhaps you would give it to her for meinstead?”

“Certainly,” he said. “She tells me she is trying to tempt you to go riding with her. She so terribly berates me for ignoring her. I hope you will be able tojoinher.”

“My aunt needs to get the Duchess’s permission before she will givemehers.”

Edwin smiled, “Oh, I would not worry about that. I have a small but dwindling influence with my mother and I am certain I can persuade her toagree.”

Edwin turned to Jenny and tipped hishat. “Miss…”

“Oh, excuse me,” Lydia said, “This is my new and already lifelong friend, JennyLovell.

“Miss Lovell,”hesaid.

“Your Grace,” Jenny said andcurtsied.

Edwin nodded inreply.

Lydia continued, “She lives next door to my aunt and has been a life saver on far too manyoccasions.”

“Yes, I heard about your accident. You seem to have recoverednicely.”

“Yes, thank you,Ihave.”

Lydia was slightly embarrassed to be speaking so openly with Edwin in public. She hesitated and tried to think what tosaynext.

Edwin held up the letter Lydia had given him. “I shall deliver this personally as soon as Ireturnhome.”

Lydia finally thought of something to say. “Edwin, have you planted all the trees you received the day I visitedHoneyfield?”

“Thank you for asking. I have—mostly. I still have a few to plant. Which reminds me, you still owe me a conversation about your gardeninginterests.”

“Oh, sir, I hardly think my small activities would be of any interesttoyou.”

“They certainly would. Do you have a garden at themoment?”

“Not yet, as I have only just arrived in Upton Magna. I still need to persuade my aunt to let me dig up a space in the back garden to put in avegetableplot.”

“Let me have a word with her. I am sure she can be persuaded to see the sense in a good vegetable garden, especially since you are willing to tendtoit.”