“Oh, Jenny. He is not. I knew in my heart that any romance between us was impossible. He has family responsibilities he mustrespect.”
“And does that include the dreadedStafford?”
“Perhaps. I do not know. I have not seen her lately. Perhaps she finally understood Edwin’s not too subtlemessage.”
“Then where is he to findawife?”
“London? I know they have a townhouse there. Perhaps he will accompany Ellen after the first of the year and go wifeshopping.”
“Oh, Lydia. I am so sorry. And how are you still able to live and work there? It must bedreadful.”
“But it is my livelihood. I cannot just give that up. Besides, right now we rarely see each other. He is focused on building the pond and I am working on the orchard and garden. Our paths rarelycross.”
“But they willeventually.”
Lydia nodded. “Yes, they will, and I believe we are both adult enough to be able to work together in a professionalmanner.”
Jenny studied Lydia. “Are you being entirely honest with me? How can you not be affected by his presence—by the memory of his declarationtoyou?”
“Then I shall just have to find out, willInot?”
* * *
Mother was very chattythese days. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her new position with the Duchess. She had given up, for the time being, the notion that she might find her own accommodations. It was so convenient to be able to just take a short walk and be at Honeyfield with no need fortransportation.
“What would you think about a trap and pony?” Mother asked one morning duringbreakfast.
“You meanforus?”
“Yes. We both need to go into town and get about. I should like to make some local friends and it would be ever so useful if we were free to travel as weliked.”
“But where would we keep a pony? We have nooutbuildings.”
“Oh, Her Grace said we could use the stable for both the pony andthetrap.”
“You talked to her about this before you talked to me?” Lydia asked, a littleannoyed.
“I needed to see if it was feasible before I spoke to you. And as we both have incomes now, might it not make life a lot easier for bothofus?”
Lydia thought about that and quite liked the idea. It would certainly make life easier for her. She could market, and visit Jenny with muchgreaterease.
“Actually, Mother, I think that is a splendid idea. I shall ask Edwin where we might obtain both and how much they will cost. I assume you are willing to split thecosts.”
“Of course, my dear. Although, you do make more than I do,” she added withanedge.
“Then let us see how much each of us uses the trap and we can make adjustments ifappropriate.Yes?”
Mothernodded.
* * *
It had beenseveral weeks since Edwin had spoken to Lydia about how things were to be between them. Lydia was not to be deterred and threw all her efforts into her work on the orchard and thegarden.
Lydia had seen little of Ellen, but taking a break one morning she saw Ellen heading toward thestable.
“Ellen,” Lydiashoutedout.
Ellen stopped and looked over. “Lydia, it has been far too long. Come riding with me. I have been so engrossed in my writing I have totally neglected my poorhorsey.”
