She worked hard for at least an hour pruning branches. It was hot, sticky, tiring work—with a fair share of scrapes and scratches onherarms.
She looked up, at one point, and saw Edwin on his horse, obviously heading out to where the pond was being constructed. He saw her and waved but didnotstop.
Lydia was slightly disappointed, as she had hoped that they might have a few moments alone together. She very much wanted to reestablish that wonderful moment when he offered her his affection. They had had no opportunity to revisit that precious moment since it had occurred. And she wondered if he might be trying to avoid it happeningagain.
However, she was not about to let those thoughts keep her from the work she neededtodo.
She worked all morning and, aside from taking a few breaks for water, she worked until it was time to break for lunch. As she knew Edwin was totally engrossed in the work on the pond, she did not expect to see him again until the end oftheday.
She had brought some bread and cheese and a few strips of bacon from breakfast to be her lunch, and she sat alone in the officeandate.
As she was eating she saw Ellen, head to the stable, but it seemed she had not gone there to ride, as she returned shortly and went back to the house. Their paths were not to cross today itseemed.
Lydia sat for a moment after her repast and recouped her energy before heading back out to theorchard.
She worked hard again all afternoon and was determined to show Edwin she had done a good day’s work. By mid-afternoon, she had completed all the pruning she had planned for the day and she spent the rest of the time gathering up the pruned branches to break apart as kindling for the house’s manyfireplaces.
Near the end of her work, she saw Edwin return on his horse and head to thestable.
She needed to speak to him about her mother’s position with the Duchess, so she wandered toward the stable and waited for him tocomeout.
“Oh, Lydia,” he exclaimed, as he saw her. He took his hat off as hecameover.
“Edwin, how is the work on the pondgoing?”
“Very well, although the clay soil is more difficult to excavate than I had expected.” He looked over toward the orchard. “It looks like your work isgoingwell.”
“Yes, it is. I am determined to complete all the work by late September. And I wanted to confer with you about what other trees you want to order so we can have them delivered and planted before the firstfreeze.”
Edwin ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, we must do that soon. I have an excellent source for trees and they can deliver quickly, so we should have plentyoftime.”
“Excellent. And did you speak to your mother about taking my mother on as her companion? My mother is quite agreeable to theproposal.”
Edwin grimaced slightly. “I am so sorry. I have not. She went to bed directly after dinner and I was up and out at the pond before she arose thismorning.”
“Iunderstand.”
“However, I shall make every effort to speak to her thisevening.”
Lydianodded.
He put his hat back on and said, “Miss Lydia, I hope you have a pleasant evening,” and he turned toleave.
This could not be all, Lydia thought. So formal,socool.
She spoke up. “Edwin, one more minute,please.”
He turned back toher. “Yes?”
She could see there was no warmth in his eyes. He was guarded andstiff.
She lowered her eyes before she spoke. It took all her will power to ask, but she knewshemust.
“Edwin, that afternoon in your office…” She felt certain he would understand her reference without her having to state itfully.
He nodded but saidnothing.
“I know I left town abruptly after your words, but those words have stayed with me all these weeks. Are we not to discuss our intentions further? You have said nothingfurther.”
