“So what can you tell me about them?” Lydiaasked.
“I have to admit, Miss Caroline is quite the beauty. A bit full of herself, but very well educated and accomplished in all the ladylike arts. My spies in London tell me she has her eyes set on ourEdwin.”
“By spies do you meanBartley?”
Ellen laughed. “Why, yes, I do. He is very useful in so manyendearingways.”
“I have a terrible feeling that you shall not be at all available in London, but shall be dallying with Mr. Evans all day and everyevening.”
“That is why you are going with me. To help me restrainmyself.”
“But your writing? Shall you have no time for that inLondon?”
“I hope to finish what I am working on before we leave. And it is my intention to use Mr. Evans to help me find a publisher. And then, when I am a famous authoress, I shall spend my mornings in bed—my afternoons writing—and my evenings being the toast ofthetown.”
The maid finished with Ellen’s hair. Ellen turned to Lydia, “Would you like her to touch your hair up? She has some sweet flowers she could workintoit.”
“That sounds nice,” Lydia said and took Ellen’s place at the dressingtable.
“You have told me about Miss Caroline, but what about Mr. Beaufort,” Lydia askedshyly.
“Oh, the Earl is quite distinguished,” Ellen said with asmile.
“I did not mean that Mr. Beaufort,” Lydia scolded, “and youknowit.”
“Oh, you mean Mr. Daniel Beaufort…” Ellenteased.
“Yes, Ellen. Do not be sodense.”
“You will find he is quite presentable. He is studying law in the Temple. He rowed competitively at Cambridge, and he keeps his haberdasher happy with his expensive style of dressing. And as for his looks—you shall see quite soon foryourself.”
The maid finished Lydia’s hair. Lydia turned her head as she studied herself in themirror.
“You look lovely,” Ellen said. “Shall we godownnow?”
* * *
The Duchessand Mother were seated in a corner of the sitting room conversing with the Earl as Ellen and Lydia entered. The other guests had not yetcomedown.
“Mamma,” Ellen called out, as she headed acrosstheroom.
Her Grace looked up. “Oh, Ellen, you look lovely, my dear. And Miss Lydia, your mother, the Earl, and I were having the most delightful chat about crockery. Did you know that bone china is actually made with bone ash—really? I do not think I shall ever be able to drink a cup of teaagain.”
“Until you are thirsty, Mamma,” Ellen reassured her. “Good evening, Your Lordship, I trust you had a pleasant journey down fromLondon?”
“We did. Thank you, my dear,” theEarlsaid.
“And this is my friend, Lydia Fernside, My Lord. She is working closely with Edwin on hisarboretum.”
“It is a great pleasure, Your Lordship,” Lydia said,curtsying.
“Miss Fernside,” The Earl acknowledged, but he did not rise, and she could see why. With his bulk, he barely fit into the chair. And she could see by the way he stuck out his leg, and the cane resting against the chair, that he probably sufferedfromgout.
“Play something for us, my dear,” the Duchess askedEllen.
“I promise I will—after dinner. But first I want to introduce Lydia to our guests when they arrive.” And at that precise moment,theydid.
Lydia watched as the sister and brother entered the sitting room. Caroline, was indeed, lovely. Her blond hair was simply set and her perfect complexion made her face seem radiant. Her pale blue eyes caught sight of Ellen and she flashed a generous smile, as the two came overtowardthem.
