Lydia stood up and took her cup to thekitchen.
“Mother, it is time for me to go to work and I am sure the Duchess must be eagerly awaiting yourattendance.”
“Yes, yes. Shall we walk up to the housetogether?”
* * *
After informingthe groom of her mother’s needs, Lydia’s first task was to examine the newly planted trees. She walked around the various trees and was pleased to see the wells around the base of the trees were still damp and all the trees looked healthy. She would be sure to water them all again thisafternoon.
Lydia started toward the office but saw Daniel walkingtowardher.
“I was keeping my eye out for you this morning,” he said, as he came up to her. “Were you tired by the long carriage rides lastevening?”
“Not at all,” she said. “I was exhilarated by the opera and have been hearing the music in my head allmorning.”
“Then you enjoyedyourself?”
“Very much so. Thank you, Daniel. I had awonderfultime.”
“I am so glad. And might I entice you to another event? My family is going to be hosting a dinner party next week at our estate, which we are opening up. I would be so grateful if you could attend as myguest.”
Lydia knew all too well what the purpose of that party was to be—the announcement of the engagement. And she had expressly told Edwin she did not wish to attend. But this invitation was from Daniel, not Edwin, and Daniel could have no way of knowing she did not wish toattend.
Lydia lowered her head. “Thank you, Daniel, that is most kind, but I am going to need to decline the invitation. I am the chief bridesmaid for my dear friend Jenny’s wedding and I believe we have arranged an engagement party for her on thatevening.”
Daniel smiled. “But I have not told you for which evening our dinner isscheduled.”
“Ah,” Lydia said. “You have caughtmeout.”
“What night is your dinner party?” heasked.
Lydia smiled sheepishly, and admitted, “There is no party yet. We have not set the date yet. I am sorry to have liedtoyou.”
“And why would you not wish to attend ourevent?”
Lydia could not betray her brief romantic interlude with Edwin, as he was so soon to announce his engagement to Daniel’s sister. And she did not want Daniel to think that she was indifferent to him, so she said, “I have only one dress suitable for such a fine occasion and you have seen it twice. I would be embarrassed to be seen in it yetagain.”
Not very convincing, she knew, but it was the best she could think of in the spur of themoment.
“I have just the solution. And I do not want you to take offense, but I have a dear cousin who never wears the same gown twice and she has dozens and dozens of gowns that I am sure might fit you. I could have her send a couple along and you could see if one might be suitable for you. Is that something you wouldconsider?”
Lydia could see there was no way for her to get out of attending the dinner now. She would just need to swallow her pride andaccept.
“Yes, that sounds like an elegant solution. But is there time? Which evening is yourevent?”
“Next Thursday and my cousin is coming down the day before. She can bring the gowns with her and you can select one and have plenty of time for anyalterations.”
Lydia acquiesced to the inevitable. “Very well, I shall attend as yourguest.”
Daniel beamed. “I am pleased. I will write my cousin this very afternoon and let you know herresponse.”
“Thank you,Daniel.”
Lydia took an inward sigh. There was nothing she could do but to attend thedinner.
Daniel thanked her and left. Lydia carried on to the office where Edwin was already working on thegroundplan.
“Good morning, Edwin,” she said as she went to the other side of the table and stood looking down athiswork.
