“Ellen, there you are. How lovely you look this evening,” she said, as she kissed Ellen on thecheek.
“And you, Caroline. I would like you to meet my dear friend and sister, Lydia Fernside.” She turned to Lydia. “Lydia, this is Caroline Beaufort and her brother,Daniel.”
Lydia took Caroline’s hand. It was smoothandcool.
“Delighted to meet you,” Lydia said, as she gave a slightcurtsy.
“Miss Lydia, such apleasure.”
Then Lydia turned to Daniel. He was taller than his sister, but she could see the family resemblance. He had long curly blond hair and the same robin’s egg blue eyes. He had a full mouth and a most alluring grin. And he was, as Ellen had suggested, dressed mostfashionably.
Daniel leaned in and took Lydia’s hand, and without looking away from her eyes,kissedit.
“Miss Lydia, it is such a great pleasure to meet you. Edwin has been telling me all about your horticultural exploits, and how valuable you have been to hisprojects.”
“And Ellen has told me about your expertise at rowing,”Lydiasaid.
“Much exaggerated, I am sure. It is for me but a neglected hobby these days with my law studies being my mainoccupation.”
The butler and a footman came in with a trolley of iced champagne and he began serving theguests.
“If you will excuse us, we must pay our respects to the Duchess,”Danielsaid.
“Of course,” Lydiareplied.
Daniel and Caroline headed over to theDuchess.
Ellen pulled Lydia aside. “What do youthink?”
“Miss Caroline is most lovely,”Lydiasaid,
“AndDaniel?”
“Mostcharming.”
“And that is all?” Ellen asked, somewhatsurprised.
“It is early in the evening, and at this point, we have only exchangedpleasantries.”
It was then that Edwin came into the room. He surveyed the scene and stood aside, not ready to intrude himself into the conversation between the brother, sister, and hismother.
Oliver offered Edwin a glass of champagne. Lydia watched carefully to see if she could read what Edwin’s reaction to Caroline might be, but he gave noindication.
After a moment or two, Caroline and Daniel left the Duchess. Caroline went over to chat with Edwin, and Daniel came over to Lydia andEllen.
Daniel addressed Ellen, “I understand you will be traveling to London in theNewYear.”
“Indeed that is so,” Ellenresponded.
“It should be the height of the social scene. Are you planning toparticipate?”
“Occasionally. However, I am more interested in getting my first novel published and that will be my focus while I amthere.”
Daniel nodded approvingly. “A female novelist. How verybrave.”
Ellen did not seem to take well to that remark. “And how is that brave? I am not scaling any mountains or entering intobattle.”
Daniel laughed. “I did not mean any offense, Miss Ellen. I was simply admiring the clarity of yourvision.”
