Page 66 of The Lady and the Duke

Lydia sat at the far end of the sofa and facedReginald.

“Tell me, where would we have gone if we were to walktoday?”

“I have shown you two walks, and I have two more in mind to show you. One is along a tributary to the river where there is a lovely aspect of an early eighteenth century grain mill. It is charmingly set, and I am sure you would enjoy it. The second is a bit of a climb up what is the closest thing we have to a mountain in our rather flat area ofShropshire.”

“Both soundinteresting.”

“Perhapsnexttime.”

There was an awkward pause. Lydia could not busy herself making tea, and the Doctor had run out of discussion about thewalks.

“Well, then, perhaps I should leave you to your day. I am sorry about the walk,” he saidstanding.

Lydia stood as well. But she felt she needed to be a better hostess. And she realized she was never going to entice Reginald if she was not moreforthcoming.

“Oh, no, it is raining far too hard for you to leave just yet. Please sit a whilelonger.”

Reginald sat back down, and Lydiafollowed.

“Tell me more about the mathematical puzzles you so much enjoy of an evening. I should like to know moreaboutthem.”

Reginald brightened up. “How fortuitous—I just happen to have a copy of one of my latest subscriptions in my coatpocket.”

He reached into his coat and pulled out a small periodical, which he opened. Lydia scooted closer across the sofa so she could see. He flipped through pages until he came to a goodexample.

“Here, this is an easy puzzle. You might enjoy this one.” He held the periodical so she might see where he was pointing. “There, you see…” and he began to explain the puzzle in detail. He showed her all the elements and how the puzzle could be solved using various approaches to theproblem.

Lydia nodded and made the occasional comment, but the entire process was going right over her head and she had no idea what he was saying, and no understanding at all of the puzzle or theprocess.

“And that is exactly how you reach the conclusion,” he said, proud of his accomplishment. “Shall I show youanother?”

By now the force of the rain had eased into a softdrizzle.

“Oh, thank you, Reginald, but to be quite honest, my mind does not work like yours does. I am afraid I do not have the same capacity to understand thatyoudo.”

“Oh. Very well.” He looked out the window. “Ah, the rain is letting up. Perhaps I should leave before it starts upagain.”

“I am sorry about missing our walk, Reginald. I do look forward to it another time,” Lydia said as shestood.

Reginald fumbled to get the periodical back into his pocket. “Perhaps next week at the same time? Weather permitting, ofcourse.”

Lydia smiled and extended her hand. Reginald took it and held on to it as he gazed into her eyes with a look of longing. He did not let her hand go, and after a moment, Lydia had to awkwardly withdraw her hand and take a stepbackward.

Reginald seemed perplexed and cleared his throat. “Yes, until next week then. And thank you again for thebiscuits.”

He picked up his hat and hurried for thefrontdoor.

“Good day, Miss Lydia.” He bowed slightly, put on his hat and retreated outthedoor.

* * *

Aunt Lavinia wasas near to giddy as Lydia had ever seen her. She had already changed her dress twice that morning, and she had not even had her tea yet. She fussed with her cap, continually trotting over to the mirror to adjust it and tuck strands of hair underneath. Then she would turn from the mirror and snap back suddenly, as though to catch a glimpse of herself as others might see her. Those others being Dr. Winston, ofcourse.

The good Doctor had arrived last evening at Honeyfield and the Duke had allowed Dr. Winston the use of the carriage this morning to pick up Aunt Lavinia and take her to her attendance on the Duchess. He was to call for her in fifteenminutes.

Lavinia was so used to walking to work she didn’t know what to do with herself as she waited for the carriage. She went to the window and looked out at the street but there was, as of yet, no sign of the carriage approaching. She went back to the mirror to checkherhair.

“Aunt, do not forget your reticule. And will you not want your handkerchief?” Lydia suggested, as she held out the items for her aunttotake.