Page 43 of The Lady and the Duke

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Lydia wasin the back garden starting to prune the lower branches of the fruit trees, as high as she could reach without a ladder. Jenny appeared from around the side of thehouse.

“Lydia, what did your aunt say about riding with Ellen?” sheasked.

“She gave me permission. It seems Edwin interceded on my behalf as hepromised.”

“Did you doubt hewould?”

“Not at all. And Ellen invited me for my first lesson on Wednesday. But there’s aproblem.”

“Dopraytell.”

Lydia explained theconflict.

“What are you going to do?” Jenny asked as she bundled the pruned branches together forLydia.

“I must change the appointment with Doctor Cooke. I was thinking of taking a note over to his office later. Want to accompany me? Then maybe I could treat you to that cream tea at Twistivants I promised you on the day Iarrived.”

“Sounds splendid. When do you wanttogo?”

“Mid-afternoon?”

“I can do that. Stop by when you are ready toleave.”

* * *

Lydia and Jennyentered Doctor Cooke’s office, expecting to see patients waiting. Lydia had written a note to leave for the Doctor explaining the scheduling conflict and suggesting several alternate dates and times for theirfirstwalk.

But to their surprise the waiting room was empty. The Doctor called out from his consultation room, “Please come on in. I am not with a patient at themoment.

Lydia and Jenny peeked in throughthedoor.

“It’s just us, Doctor Cooke. I was actually just going to leave this noteforyou.”

“Then deliver it to me right now. I am free for the timebeing.”

He stood up, smiling, and offered chairs to the twoladies.

“We don’t mean to disturb you,” Lydia said, as she offered him theenvelope.

“Tell me what is in it. I would much rather hear bad news from yourcharminglips.”

“What makes you think it isbadnews?”

“Unless you have an illness or an injury there is no reason to send me a note unless you need to cancel our walk on Wednesday. And if you were ill you would not write me, but would show up in my office or send your friend here to fetch me for ahousecall.”

Lydia had to laugh. “You are most instinctive. You could make a living as a gypsy fortuneteller.”

“I think I wouldrathernot.”

Lydia hung her head. “I am sorry to say that, yes, I must reschedule our walk for Wednesday.” She explained in detail herpredicament.

“That is perfectly fine,” Reginald said. “What about the same time a week later? As I said, Wednesday is the day I amclosed.”

“That would workperfectly.”

“Provided Miss Ellen does not snatch you away to go riding with her again,” the Doctoradded.