Page 99 of The Lady and the Duke

Chapter24

Mother grumbled allthe way to Honeyfield house. She was upset that Lydia had not accepted Edwin’s offer of a ride. It was inelegant to walk to dinner, she complained. It made her feel like she was being treated like acommoner.

“But Mother, we are,” Lydiaremindedher.

“We are not. Your father was a well-respected vicar with his ownparish.”

“I thought you would enjoy the walk after being cooped up in a carriage for several days. And I wanted you to see how lovely theestateis.”

Mother grumbled to herself but saidnomore.

Oliver greeted them at the entrance and led them to the sitting room. Ellen was seated at the pianoforte playing a Mozart sonata. Edwin was standing at a French window looking outside, and Her Grace was seated in a wingchair with a glass ofsherry.

Edwin turned when they entered and went overtothem.

“Welcome. Welcome. Have you settled comfortably into yournewhome?”

Lydia smiled and took the hand that Edwinofferedher.

“We have,thankyou.”

Edwin turned to her mother. “Mrs. Fernside, I should like to introduce you to my mother and mysister.”

He led Mother to the Duchess, as Ellen came over to greetLydia.

“Darling Lydia, how happy I am to have you back. We missed you so very much at the wedding. And I have been lonely on myrides.”

Lydia beamed. “And I have missed all of you, as well.” She spoke softly, as she asked, “And Mr. Evans, has he returned toLondon?”

Ellen hesitated briefly before saying, “Alas, he has. But we correspond, and I have every expectation of seeing him again when I move to London in thespring.”

“So, it has become serious between the two of you,hasit?”

“Semi-serious, I should say. I mean for nothing to deter me from my writing. That shall be first for me, wherever I amlocated.”

“Goodforyou.”

Lydia looked over and saw that Mother was seated in a chair pulled up close beside the Duchess. They seemed to be engaged in a closeconversation.

Edwin came over to Ellen andLydia.

“It seems our mothers have hit it off. They are ardently discussing the lapsed morals of modern day society.” Helaughed.

Lydia turned to Ellen. “You play very well on the pianoforte. It is the first time I haveheardyou.”

“Thank you. It is something I enjoy very much.” She took Lydia’s arm, “And I just wanted to give my condolences on your father’s passing. Do you miss himterribly?”

“Very much so,thankyou.”

Oliver came back into the room and announced. “Your Graces and guests, dinner is ready to beserved.”

“Shall we?” Edwin asked as he went to his mother to assist her into thediningroom.

Edwin was most attentive to Lydia’s mother during dinner. However, Lydia managed to divert Edwin’s attention at onepoint.

“Edwin, I want to thank you for preserving my job for me while I was gone. I am mostgrateful.”

“And I greatly appreciated your letter explaining the situation with your father and your need to leaveurgently.”