“I just noticed there is no stove. How are we to cook? How do Ipreparetea?”
“Everything can be done in the fireplace. You see this iron shelf? The fire is built right under it and we can place the kettle there, which is what I am going to dorightnow.”
“And for baking?” Motherasked.
“Heavy pots with lids. Place them in the embers and shovel more onthetop.”
Mother, exasperated, collapsed into a chair at the table. “Oh, I shall never manage. We are living in theMiddleAges.”
Lydia laughed. “Mother, just rest for the moment. I have stoked the fire, put on the kettle, and tea will soonbeup.”
“What can I do to help?” she asked,feebly.
“Nothing now. Take your time. You will soon get used to our new situation and will feel right at home before youknowit.”
Lydia busied herself preparing some porridge for breakfast and sliced some bread fortoast.
When breakfast was ready, she served her mother and then sat at the tablewithher.
“Mamma, did you enjoy lastevening?”
Mother looked up and smiled. “Yes, I did. I was engaged in the liveliest conversation with Her Grace. Just imagine—me, a vicar’s wife hobnobbing with aDuchess.”
“Yes, she seemed to be enjoying your company, as well.” Lydia wanted to broach this subject delicately, as she had no idea how her mother would react to it. “Edwin and I were chatting at the end of the evening and the subject came up of the difficulty they were having finding a replacement for the Duchess’s companion since Aunt Lavinia married and moved toOxford.”
“Yes, she spoke of herfondly.”
“And both His Grace and I had the idea that you might be just the perfect person to replace her. How would you feelaboutthat?”
Mother looked surprised. “Me? Replace Lavinia as the Duchess’scompanion.”
“Exactly. And it is a payingposition.”
“Oh…” She seemed genuinely surprised. “And what duties does that positionentail?”
“Primarily, just to be Her Grace’s companion. It is a very respectable position. It should not be at all taxing. The only comments Aunt Lavinia ever made about the job was that the Duchess could be short tempered, fussy, anddemanding.”
“Sounds rather like being a mother with a husband and threedaughters.”
“Mother, you made a joke.” Lydiateased.
Mother smiled. “Oh, but I was being veryserious.”
Lydia nodded. “And is that something that would interest you? If so, I shall inform Edwin later this morning, and as he has been enquiring of Her Grace if that would be suitable to her as well, they should be able to offer you the position latertoday.”
“It does suit me. I was beginning to wonder what I would do with myself, sitting around this cottage all day, with no husband and no children constantly demanding attention. I cannot see how a single, elderly lady would be any troubleatall.”
“Excellent. Then I shall tell Edwin and have an answer for you later thisafternoon.”
“What will it pay? Doyouknow?”
“I do not, but I shall enquire. It certainly will help this household with the additionalincome.”
Mother thought for a moment. “If it is sufficient, I might see about obtaining my own lodging. If you ask me, this little cottage is far too small for two independentladies.”
* * *
Lydia showedup early at the office, but Edwin was not there. She felt she had so neglected her duties previously that she immediately set to work in the orchard. She was determined to complete all the work before the firstfreeze.
