Page 76 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter19

It was ridingday with Ellen, but there was so much going on in her life at the moment it was difficult to focus. Aunt Lavinia and Bernard were at the estate agent’s this morning discussing the sale of her house. Jenny had been stressing all week over her gown. Ellen was totally focused on her birthday ball, and there were hours and hours of planning yet to be done for thewedding.

Not only was there to be her ride with Ellen this morning, but afterward, she and Edwin were to begin work on the orchard. And just now, she was rummaging through her drawers searching for the clothes she wanted to take toworkin.

But then she heard the Duke’s carriage drive up and she needed to rush. She had not fed the cat and dashed down the stairs to the kitchen to find some meat scraps to throw intoherbowl.

The footman was knocking at the door and Lydia rushed toanswer.

“Miss Fernside, are you ready?” the footmanasked.

“Yes. Just one moment, please.” she pleaded. Leaving the front door open, she grabbed her reticule, a book she wanted to show Edwin, and a scarf Ellen had lent her, which she wanted toreturn.

“Thank you for waiting. It has been a harried day,” she said to the footman and followed him to thecarriage.

It was not until they were almost to Honeyfield that she realized she had forgotten to bring her work clothing. Maybe Ellen could lend her something to wear for the afternoon. There was too much going on for hercomfort.

The butler greeted thecarriage.

“Miss Ellen is awaiting you at the stable,” he said. “Do you need assistance?” heasked.

Lydia wanted to say, “Yes, I need help organizing my life,” but she said instead, “No, thank you, I knowtheway.”

“Verywell,Miss.”

Lydia made her way to the stables. As she passed by Edwin’s office she glanced inside to see if he was present, but the office was empty. He would not be expecting her for severalhours.

“Oh, Ellen, what a morning. I am in a tizzy with all that is going on. Howareyou?”

Ellen smiled. “A similar tizzy I suppose. Not only are we organizing a ball but also working on Lavinia’s weddingparty.”

“Yes, I am doing much the same atmyend.”

“I am afraid our ride must be short today, as I have far too much going on to take alongride.”

“I understand. And I must work on the orchard today, as I did absolutely no work the last time I was here because of DoctorWinston.”

The groom brought out thehorses.

As they were mounting Lydia asked, “You have not said—are you inviting some special young man to be your partner at thedance?”

Ellen grimaced. “Mother is trying to set me up with the son of the Marquess of Huntley. I met him once about a year ago and he was all pimply, sweaty, and thin as a sapling. And I swear his chin was nearly nonexistent. All he could talk about were his hunting hounds, with names like Baldok, Crimmer,andSith.”

“Then refuse her and invite who you like. Is there anyone youwouldlike toinvite?”

Ellen shook her head and sighed. “Oh, Lydia, I just want to go to London and write. I do not want any of this ridiculous aristocraticcountrylife.”

“Then by allmeansgo.”

Ellen led with her horse and they set off on agentletrot.

“It is not so easy,” Ellen said. “I do not come into my inheritance until I am one and twenty. Until then I am a captive of Mamma’styranny.”

“Well, you have your horse,” Lydia joked and took her horse into agallop.

Their ride was short and, when they got back to the stables and dismounted, Lydia asked Ellen if she had any work clothes she couldlendher.

“I do not believe so, but come back with me to the house and I will see if I might haveanything.”