Page 88 of The Lady and the Duke

But now it was time to work. She continued her journey to the office and was surprised to see that Edwin had not arrivedjustyet.

She busied herself with a seed catalogue at the table and when she looked up she saw Edwin standing in the doorway. He looked, quite uncharacteristically,disheveled.

“Edwin.”

“Miss Lydia. I…” He hesitated, as he entered further into theoffice.

“Are you all right, YourGrace?”

He stopped. “Why do you call me that?” he asked, seeming to be bothered by hergreeting.

Lydia gathered herself and called upon her inner strength. “Because we will be working together now and it seems more appropriate to call you that, as we are now employer and employee.” She stood herground.

He reached his hand out toward her but didn’t move anycloser.

“Lydia… I, ah… I have something I need to saytoyou.”

“Very well.” Was she about to beletgo?

“The night oftheball…”

“Yes?”

“I was so very happy to see you. You looked radiant when you arrived and I could not wait until we would have the opportunity to dancetogether.”

“I didn’t think you wanted that, as you waited until the very end toapproach.”

“I got caught up. One of the cooks became seriously ill and I needed to attend to that. I didn’t want to disrupt the dance, so I made sure the situation was handledquietly.”

“Why did you not call upon Doctor Cooke forassistance?”

“It was too late by the time I got there. It is thought she had a fatal heartattack.”

“Andshedied?”

Edwin nodded. “I wanted to come to youearlier,but…

“I understand.” She was not going to be fired. But what didhewant?

“Lydia, I just wanted to say that I was upset and agitated when we danced. It had nothing to do with you. And I feel that you might have felt slighted after the dance as I left so quickly. But I needed to inform Mother and Ellen. The lady had been with the family for a long time, and we were all very fondofher.”

Lydia nodded, and her damped down emotions suddenly exploded once again into a frenzy of longing and expectation—the hurt justmeltingaway.

Edwin went around the table and stood in front of her. He reached out and took both of herhands.

“Lydia, I have a great warmth of feeling for you. I know this must come as a surprise, but I want you to know I hold you in great regard and esteem. Ever since you came into my life, I have not been able to stop thinking about you—talking about you to everyone. My mother is frantic to think that I might not pursue Miss Pamela Stafford, but I cannot helpmyself.”

Lydia could barely breathe. Her heart wasracing.

“Oh,Edwin…”

“I must ask; do you think it is at all possible you might have any feelings for me—howeverslight?”

Lydia nodded and lowered her eyes. “Yes, Edwin, it is possible,” she saidmodestly.

A smile burst forth upon Edwin’s face. “Oh, Lydia. My Lydia, will you allow me to think I might one day hope that you can find it in your heart to considermysuit?”

Lydia was in a contented silence, then said, “Yes, Edwin, you maysohope.”

“Oh,Lydia…”

“But now, don’t you think it is time to get to work on the pear trees?” she said, mostprofessionally.