Ellen considered what he said. “No offensetaken.”
Lydia was watching as Edwin chatted with Caroline. He was smiling as she put her hand on his arm and she leaned in to to speak intimatelytohim.
Daniel turned to Lydia. “I understand that you recently moved to UptonMagna.”
“That is so. And I feel most fortunate to be comfortably settledherenow.”
“Will you be traveling to London with MissEllen?”
“I shall, but just for a month. My work with Edwin keeps me busy here, but as it will be the slow season, he says he can part with me for a fewweeks.”
“Then the two of you must be our guests when you are there. I have a most excellent cook who does wonderswithlamb.”
Lydia nodded. So far she had seen nothing in this young man to intrigue her. She looked over his shoulder and caught Edwin looking over at them. He seemed to be distracted from Caroline’s conversation. And was that a troubled look, she askedherself?
Ellen turned to Daniel and asked, “Are you acquainted with BartleyEvans?”
Daniel thought for a moment. “I think I have heard of him. I believe he is an acquaintance of a fellow of mine at the Temple. Why doyouask?”
“We have been in correspondence, and he is working to find me a publisher for my novel. And I was just wondering if you might know of him byreputation.”
Daniel shook his head. “I am sorry. I know little about him other than we have a mutualacquaintance.”
Daniel turned back to Lydia. “Tell me, do you enjoy the opera or thetheatre?”
“I am so sorry to be such a country bumpkin, but I have been exposed to neither. However, I am quite fond of music and have attended a few concerts in my father’s parishchurch.”
“Then I look forward to introducing you to many new wonders when you come toLondon.”
“That indeed soundsdelightful.”
Oliver announced. “Your Graces, My Lord, ladies and gentleman, please follow me, for dinner is soon to beserved.”
“Shall we?” Daniel asked, offering one arm to Ellen and one toLydia.
As they were exiting the room, Lydia glanced over to see Edwin leave Caroline and go over to escort his mother into dinner. That surprised her—but it also pleased her—until she watched as he then offered his other arm to Caroline as they were leaving. And she saw thatthatpleased the Duchessverymuch.
In the dining room, some of the leaves of the large table had been removed, and the party was greeted with a smaller, more intimate table. There were delicate flower arrangements that had been strategically placed so as not to impedeconversation.
Daniel, Lydia, and Ellen were the first to enter. Ellen broke free from Daniel and went directly to the table, examining the name cards at each place. Lydia saw her switch one card with the card from the setting across thetable.
The rest of the party arrived and each person searched for their place at the table. Lydia was seated on one side of the table between her mother on her left and Daniel on her right. Ellen was sitting opposite her. Lydia had to smile as she realized that Ellen had switched the name cards so that Lydia would be sitting next to Daniel rather than between Caroline and the Earl. However, she was not pleased that Caroline was sitting to the right of Edwin at his place at the head of thetable.
After the first wine was served, the footmen served a brown soup from a tureen to eachguest.
Mother turned to Lydia and whispered, “I was noticing how dark you have become being in the sun every day. You should take precaution, or you will lose your lovely faircomplexion.”
“Mother, this is not the time,” Lydiawhisperedback.
“I am just saying is all.” Then she turned to converse with the Duchess who was already in conversation with the Earl, seated toherleft.
Daniel turned to Lydia and asked, “What is your favorite recreational activity, MissLydia?”
“I very much enjoy walking. There are many fine walks through the estate and, I must say, I look forward to the day when our new pond is stabilized, for I do enjoy a cool paddle in hotweather.”
Daniel laughed. “Oh, yes, the pond. Father told us about the reason the pond on our estate wasfailing.”
“Yes, I believe Edwin is very embarrassed about that. However, once our pond is filled your pond willreturn.”
