“That’s right,” Lady Haddington agreed. “But she’s doing all right these days. We were able to sit in the garden for tea. She asked after you, of course. She wanted to know how things were progressing with you and your new husband.”
“Progressing?” Lydia frowned. “We’re already married. What progress is there to be made?”
“Well, you know, marriage is not the only goal in a relationship such as yours,” Lady Haddington hinted.
“If you’re referring to the time we’ve spent getting to know one another,” Edward interjected, “it’s been going very well, Lady Haddington. Just today, the two of us were out for a ride, and I found Lydia to be a very adept riding companion. She has a natural ability on horseback. It’s a shame it wasn’t developed sooner.”
“Well, we thought you might be thinking a bit further ahead than simply getting to know one another,” Lady Haddington hinted. “After all, you must know each other fairly well by now! It’s been a few weeks since the wedding—how much time do two people really need?”
“Stop it, Mother,” Lydia said suddenly.
It was a relief to Edward to hear her speak up, even though he wasn’t certain what was happening. At least, he knew that she had the strength to advocate for herself. He had been sitting here wondering whether she intended to let her parents simply walk all over her. Apparently, she wasn’t going to do that, and he was glad.
Both Lord and Lady Haddington looked irritated at Lydia’s outburst.
“Lydia,” Lord Haddington said sharply, “there’s no need for you to speak that way at the Duke’s table.”
“Have you forgotten, Father?” Lydia asked. “I would have thought it would be easy for you to remember, since you were the one who arranged for this marriage. I would have thought you’d have come here with the idea in your mind that I am the Duchess of Westfrey now. This is my table every bit as much as it is his. What’s said here is for me to determine just as much as it is for him.”
“She really isn’t usually like this, Your Grace,” Lady Haddington said rather desperately. “She’s usually quite even-tempered and well-behaved.”
Edward had to laugh. “No, she isn’t,” he replied. “She’s outspoken and stands up for the things she wants. Perhaps you’re right that we’ve already spent enough time getting to know one another because it seems to me that I know your daughter better than you do! Do you really perceive her to beeven-tempered? That’s not the way I see her at all. She’s hot-headed.”
“Oh, Lydia!” Lady Haddington exclaimed. “What have you done to give His Grace such a bad impression of you already?”
“Did I say I had a bad impression of her? I find her most enjoyable. What I don’t enjoy is having to defend my wife at her own dinner table,” Edward said. “If you have nothing to say other than to criticize her behavior, perhaps you ought to be on your way. She’s done nothing that deserves reprimand.”
“Forgive us, Your Grace,” Lord Haddington apologized quickly. “It’s difficult when your children grow up and go out into the world on their own, you see. We’re used to caring for Lydia. We’re used to teaching her proper behavior and decorum. Of course, you’re right to point out that that isn’t our job any longer. Of course, that’s right.” He looked at his wife. “We’ll restrain ourselves. It’s just a bit difficult to stop acting in the role of parent.”
“And I’m sure that’s something you’ll discover for yourselves soon enough,” Lady Haddington added, a small smile returning to her face.
“Mother!” Lydia exclaimed.
“Oh, Lydia, really, wearestill your parents. And even if you haven’t announced anything formally yet—”
“What is this?” Edward interjected.
“She’s trying to find out whether or not I’m with child,” Lydia explained, shaking her head. “Mother, if that was information we wanted to share with people, we would do so, but until I come to you andtellyou a child is expected, you are to assume one isn’t.”
“Of course, of course,” her mother replied quickly. “I only wondered whether… well, we wouldn’ttellanyone, Lydia. It could remain a secret between you and me. I am your mother, after all. I’ve looked forward to sharing this moment with you all your life. Couldn’t you just give me a hint? Something to let me know if it’s happening?”
Edward stood up. He couldn’t bear to see his wife spoken to this way. It was too much. “I think we’re going to call an end to this dinner,” he asserted. “These questions are far too rude and invasive.”
“Edward—no, that really isn’t necessary,” Lydia said.
“It’s as they just finished telling us,” Edward explained. “This is my house. This is my table. I’m not going to have my wife spoken to this way under my own roof. Absolutely not.”
“Well, I do think we have a right to know if our daughter is going to be a mother,” Lady Haddington pressed.
“And if not,” Lord Haddington added, “the two of you really should have taken care of that by now. I wouldn’t like to think that you’re neglecting your duties to the dukedom.”
Edward couldn’t believe their audacity, but since they really wanted to know—
“Lydia and I have decided against having any children for the time being,” he said.
Lady Haddington gasped.
“What do you mean?” Lord Haddington demanded. “You mean you’re planning on waiting? But how long can you wait for something like that? You know, people are going to start to talk, Your Grace, if there is no child. People are going to question my daughter. We don’t want that.”
