Ellen stood between the desk and the window. “Yes, is it not a lovely place to work? I do look forward to getting back to mywriting.”
“But did you not finish your novel? I thought you wanted to show it topublishers.”
“I have just a chapter more to write, and then I shall be finished. In any case, I need to send it to a copyist so that I might have copies to leave with publishers if theyrequestit.”
“It is a lovely room,” Lydia said, as she gazedaround.
“Are you ready for tea?” Ellenasked.
“Iam.”
“What do you think of London so far?” Ellen asked as they went down the staircase to the firstparlor.
“It is both exciting and overwhelming. I feel like I am in another country where I know none of the customs and recognize nothingfamiliar.”
“You will become accustomed to it before youknowit.”
They entered the parlor and Ellen was surprised to see Bartley Evans standing at the tea table with a largesmile.
“Bartley,” she exclaimed and rushed toward him. “I was notexpectingyou.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said. “I have so been looking forward to seeing you, and then I saw you come into the house and disappear. I was uncertain what I should do. So I decided to just wait, as your people said they would be serving you teainhere.”
“I am so pleased you did not rush away,” Ellen said, as she took hold ofBartley’sarm.
He turned his attention to Lydia. “Miss Lydia, it is a pleasure to see you again. I look forward to hearing all the news about progress on the Honeyfieldarboretum.”
Lydia smiled and nodded. “And it shall be my pleasure toinformyou.”
A door opened and several footmen entered with the tea service, followed byHammond.
There was the tea itself, plus small cakes, peeled cucumber and shrimp paste sandwiches, a pot of clotted cream, and strawberry andapricotsjams.
After Hammond served the tea he came over to Lydia and presented her with a letter on a small silverserver.
“This came for you this morning, Miss,”Hammondsaid.
Lydia took the letter. It was from Daniel. “Thank you,” she said and slipped the letter into her pocket. This was not the time toreadit.
Ellen and Bartley were in a bright conversation and were oblivious to Lydia until Ellen suddenly realized her manners and turned to Lydia, and asked, “You received aletter?”
“I did. FromDaniel.”
“And what does he havetosay?”
She patted her pocket. “I have not read it yet. But I expect it to be about scheduling some entertainments while we arevisiting.”
Bartley spoke up. “Miss Lydia, I would like to request both of your presences at a dinner party I shall be giving at Rules in a week and a half. It should be well attended and I am expecting a number of West End celebrities from the world of theater, dance, and the concert stage. I hope you will both accept theinvitation.”
Ellen played coy. “We will need to check our calendars, but if we can squeeze it in weshall.”
Bartley seemed to see right through her little tease. “I do not know what other engagement you might possibly have, as all the very best people will be atmyparty.”
Ellen was not about to be played by Bartley. “Ah, but I may be planning such an event myself. It all depends on the date of yourparty.”
“The twenty-third.”
Ellen touched her forehead as though she might be calculating dates. Then she looked up. “Yes, I believe we shall be able to attend.” She turned to Lydia. “Unlessyouhave something scheduled forthattime?”
Lydia laughed. “You know Idonot.”
