“I am tired from the journey, I should like to retire,” Caroline said, as she looked toward Edwin, expecting him to offer to escort her. But he made no movementtowardher.
“And I shall accompany you, my dear,” Danieloffered.
He took her arm and they stopped by Ellen andLydia.
“It was a great pleasure meeting you, Miss Lydia,” Daniel said as hebowed.
“And you,” Lydia said as she stood. “Miss Caroline,” she added andnodded.
The brother andsisterleft.
“I am going to stay awhile,” Ellen said, “I wish to finish my coffee, and perhaps Ishallread.”
Edwin came over to Lydia. “Miss Lydia…” He offered his arm. “Might I escort you back to yourcottage?”
Lydia looked at him, puzzled by his offer. She walked alone day and evening and he had not offered to escort her before. Perhaps it was the formality of theoccasion.
“If you like, but I am quite capable of making my way homealone.”
“But it would be my pleasure,” headded.
It was a clear, starry night, but this late in the summer there was a slight chill in the air. Edwin walked beside Lydia. They were both in silence until Lydiaspoke.
“The Beaufort family seems to be very pleasant. However, I feel sympathy for the poor Earl with hisinfirmity.”
“Yes, he doessuffer.”
“And Caroline seems to be a charming young woman.” Lydia looked over to see how Edwin might react, but it was too dark to make outhisface.
“Yes, my mother is much takenwithher.”
That was a strange reaction, Lydia thought. “And how long will they be visiting?” sheasked.
“A week or so I believe. They had wished to spend some time at their estate, but their house is not open and so they requested to staywithus.”
“And is Mr. Daniel a close friend ofyours?”
Edwin looked over at Lydia. “Not close, but we have a longacquaintance.”
They walked on in silence until they reached the cottage. It was strange to think that she would soon be all alone here, 0nce her mother moved in with Mrs.Forbes.
When they reached the cottage they stopped and turned to each other. Lydia had not left a candle burning so it was totally dark, except for the starsabove.
Edwin reached out and took one of Lydia’shands.
“You know; it is all my mother’sdoing.”
“What is?” Lydia asked, her heartfluttering.
“This whole event. It is acharade.”
“I don’t understand,” Lydia said, shakingherhead.
Edwin hesitated. “I have said too much. Good-night, MissLydia.”
He turned and quickly walked away. Lydia stood in the dark breathless. She felt the night close in around her. She was slightly shaking. Was it the cold or was it something else? She turned and went into the cottage and lit a candle. Her mother would behomesoon.
* * *
