Page 97 of The Lady and the Duke

“Yes, for now. However, I see other areas where you might also be useful. We can discuss that later.” He was ready to go but had a further thought. “Do you wish me to send someone to pick you and your mother up beforedinner?”

“It is such a lovely day; I think we shall walk. It will give her a chance to become acquainted with theestate.”

“Very well. Until thisevening.”

He snapped the reins and the horse took off down the road towardHoneyfield.

* * *

Mother was havinga lie down in the bedroom when Jenny appeared later thatafternoon.

“Oh, Lydia, it is so great to see you,” she boomed out as she came throughthedoor.

Lydia put her finger to her lips. “We must be quiet. Mother is havinganap.”

Jenny hunched her shoulders and grimaced. “Sorry. I shall be like a little mouse.” Jenny looked around the cottage. “How ever are you going to manage—the two of you in such a smallspace?”

Lydia sighed and sat down at the only table. “We shall because wehaveto.”

Jenny came over and sat next to her. “I am so sorry about your father. Are you recovering fromtheloss?”

“Jenny, one does what one must. Mother needs me and I stepped up. I have no time to grieve. Now I am back here, and I must earn my living, take care of Mother, andcarryon.”

Gingersnap came over and, looking up at Lydia, meowed wanting her supper. Lydia reached down and scratched her head. “Soon, sugar.” She turned back to Jenny. “Tell me about thewedding.”

Jenny smiled. “It was very nice. There were not a lot of guests. No one came from Oxford, and your aunt’s few friends came along with my family and Edwin and Ellen. Her Grace barely acknowledged the event. She was still upset to be losing your aunt as her companion. There was a small orchestra, champagne, and a modest reception. The bride and groom spent the night at Honeyfield and left for Oxford the nextmorning.”

“Sounds pleasantenough.”

“But everyonemissedyou.”

“Would you like some tea?” Lydiaasked.

“No, thank you. But is there anything I can do to help youunpack?”

Lydia looked around the room. “We didn’t bring that much. I only had a few things I took with me to Piddlehinton, and Aunt brought over the rest of my belongings from her place before they left. And mother won’t let anyone else touch her things. I think we shallmakedo.”

Jenny lowered her head and was quiet for a moment. Then she looked up and looked Lydia in the eyes. “I have something I need totellyou.”

“Verywell.”

“You may notlikeit.”

“Oh, dear. Then you best speak itrightout.”

“It’s about Doctor Cooke…andme.”

“What?” Lydia sat up a littlestraighter.

“The night of the ball, Reginald and I danced a few dances. It was most agreeable, and it seemed to be so for himaswell.”

“Yes, I saw you dancing. You seemed to be enjoyingyourselves.”

“We were. And after you left, I ran into the Doctor one day on the way to the market. He asked if he could join me and I could see no reason todiscouragehim.”

“And?”

“We ended up having tea again at Twistivants. We conversed. We smiled. And one thing led to another and he invited me to a concert that was being held in Saint Andrew’s parishchurch.”