Chapter35
When she was finally alone,Lydia realized she had so many questions about London that she decided the first order of business was to explore the house she wasstayingin.
When Nancy came in with a fresh jug of water Lydia asked. “Nancy, could you give me a tour of the house? I have only ever lived in a cottage in the country and I would like to see how such a grand houseoperates.”
“Oh, Miss, I could not do that. But I shall speak to Mrs. Samuels, the housekeeper. I am sure she would be happy toassistyou.”
“Thank you,Nancy.”
The maid left and Lydia settled down by her window to read Daniel’sletter.
It contained, as she suspected, a revised list of entertainments. It also contained abriefnote.
DearestLydia,
Welcome to London. I hope you are not overwhelmed by its manysplendors.
As you will see from the attached, I have selected several events you might enjoy. Study them and I shall call on you tomorrow morning shortly after breakfast to sound you out on what you might enjoy. Shall we say teno’clock?
Everyours,
Daniel
She did not think a written reply was needed as he would be stopping by earlytomorrow.
There was a knock on the door and it was opened by a plump older woman in a severe darkdress.
“MissLydia?”
“Yes.Comein.”
“I am Mrs. Samuels. Nancy tells me you wish to tour thehouse.”
“If I may, and it is not aninconvenience.”
Mrs. Samuels nodded. “I would be happy to show you the house. When would you like todothat?”
“Is nowconvenient?”
“It is.” Mrs. Samuels held the door for Lydia. “Comethen.”
Mrs. Samuels had a large ring of keys attached to her belt that clinked as she walked down the hall in front of Lydia. She did not seem to be very forthcoming, and it was clear Lydia would need to ask questions if she wanted to learn anything. They began by exploring the three floors of family’squarters.
“How long has this house been in the Duke’s family?” sheasked.
“At least three generations, I should say. I have only been here five and twenty years. But I have heard stories of pastmasters.
“And you knew the present Duke when he wasyoung?”
That seemed to lighten Mrs. Samuel’s face. “Aye, he was a charmer, he was. A lively lad, filled with curiosity and not without a fair bit of mischief as well.” Shesmiled.
“Can you tell me a mischievous story about him?” Lydiaasked.
Mrs. Samuels considered, and then said, “Perhaps I should not tell you this, but it seems to be a harmless enough story, and I have heard His Grace tell the story to others, so I do not believe I would be betraying atrust.”
By this time, they had reviewed each of the family’s floors and they were headed down to the servant’squarters.
“It was just in here,” Mrs. Samuels said, opening a pantry door off the kitchen and leading Lydia inside. “This is one of the pantries. It is where the jams were kept at the time. It was late autumn, just after the harvest at Honeyfield. And a load of new made jams and jellies had been sent up for the London house. We had just placed them allinhere.
