Page 64 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter16

Jenny came runningup to Lydia before she could even get inside thefrontdoor.

“Lydia, what did I just see? You riding with Edwin on his horse, in broad daylight, through the center of Upton Magna? I certainly hope Doctor Cooke did not see that deliciousspectacle.”

Lydia laughed. “Oh, Jenny, how you exaggerate. He was simply bringing me home because the carriage wasunavailable.”

“I saw you all snuggled up to him with your head on his shoulder. It looked to me like a lot more than a simpleridehome.”

“Come inside,” Lydia insisted. “I don’t want the entire village to hear all about yourobservations.”

They went inside the cottage, and Lydia removed her bonnet and set down the notebook with hernotes.

“And just so you know, I took Doctor Cooke a tin of biscuits, as you suggested, and we arranged another walk forWednesday.”

“Did he seem receptive? Was he eager to see youagain?”

“He seemed pleased,” was all Lydia wouldoffer.

“How was your ride today?” Jenny asked as she followed Lydia into thekitchen.

“You will stayfortea?”

“Oh, yes. I need to know everything. I have a feeling you are keeping secrets from me,” Jenny said, as she put down her shopping basket, and hopped up on the kitchen table as Lydia filled thekettle.

“The ride did not happen today. Ellen was not well. Female issues, Isuspect.”

“So what did you do allmorning,then?”

“Edwin greeted me and we studied and made plans for the orchard and vegetablegarden.”

Jenny gave Lydia a quizzical look. “Lydia, is hecourtingyou?”

Lydia was startled. How could Jenny believe such a thing? Or was Jenny seeing something that she was missing because of her rigid belief in her unworthiness as an equal toaDuke?

“Oh, Jenny, that is quite ridiculous. First, he is an aristocrat, with a mother pushing for him to marry Pamela Stafford. And secondly, he has been a total gentleman, with no indications, whatsoever, that he is romantically interested in me in any way.” Although she could not mention the subtle looks and touches that sometimes occurredbetweenthem.

“But I would remind you that Miss Stafford is also not an aristocrat, but rather a wealthy merchant’s daughter,” Jennyinsisted.

That gave Lydia pause for thought. “That is as it may be. But the keyword there is ‘wealthy.’ Perhaps, if I had money, that might be another matter. But I do not.” Lydia poured the hot water into theteapot.

“Then you are telling me that there is no indication, whatsoever, that the Duke is interested in you in any way?” Jennyasked.

“Well, not entirely. He is interested in me as a fellow gardener, horticultural enthusiast, and as a friend of hissister.”

Jenny stared at her. “Humph. I think you are undervaluing yourself,Lydia.”

“However, there is one promising development,” she said as she opened the tin of biscuits Jenny lovedsowell.

“Yes?”

“Edwin has offered to pay me for my assistance to him with thegarden.”

“Pay? How much? Lydia, that is quiteremarkable.”

Lydia pouredthetea.

“We are to discuss the terms on Friday. He wants me to help him at least twiceaweek.”