Chapter36
Lydia was surprisedwhen she had not heard from Daniel for several days—either by post on in person. She used her time to explore the immediate local, and she persuaded Ellen to drop her off at Fortnum and Mason one afternoon on Ellen’s way to meet Bartley. Before leaving her, Ellen instructed Lydia how to take a cab back to BelgraveSquare.
Lydia wanted to get the shopping for her mother out of the way and free her mind from the obligation. She found the rose water, but could not find the blue organdy her mother requested—not even after going to several fabric shops in the area. She was not surprised, as her mother’s dress was more than a few years old, and the fabric probably no longerexisted.
Her errands completed, Lydia managed to find a cab and return to the house. She sequestered herself in her room and set out to write to her mother and Jenny. She thought about writing Edwin but decided it was not a good idea unless it was to be purely a business letter, and she had no occasion to write such aletter.
It was nearly dark by four o’clock in January and Lydia rang for Nancy to add more coal to the fire and to light several lamps intheroom.
Lydia heard a carriage draw up in front of the house and assumed it was Ellen returning. And she thought nothing further of it until a while later there was a knock at her door and Ellencamein.
“Was your shopping successful?” sheasked.
“Partially so,” Lydiareplied.
“I have some news,” Ellen said, sitting in a chair at the table where Lydia was writing herletters.
Lydia sat up and gave Ellen her full attention. “Oh, please,tellme.”
“I have finished the novel and Bartley is having it copied for me. Then he is going to submit it to his father forpublication.”
“Will he publish it do youthink?”
“I certainly hope so. But, of course, he needs to read itfirst.”
“Your Mr. Bartley has been true to his word, hashenot?”
“He has been the perfectgentleman.”
“And is there more developing between the twoofyou?”
Ellen inclined her head. “Perhaps.”
“Are you being coy? You have never kept anything from me before. Is there a romanceaswell?”
Ellen smiled. “Yes, I believe so. He has not come out and said as much, but I do believe it tobeso.”
“I am very happy for you. From everything I have seen, he appears to be a fine, upstanding,youngman.”
“And I so much enjoy his poetry as well. We make a good couple. His father is publishing his first volume of poetry, and if he publishes me, then we shall become one of London’s premiere literaryteams.”
“Oh, Ellen, howsplendid.”
Ellen strode over to the window and looked out as the gaslights were being lit in the streetbelow.
“Have you heard from Daniel? I have not been aware if he has called byornot.”
Lydia answered quietly. “He has not. But I suspect he is getting caught up in his sister’s pendingwedding.”
“Ah, the wedding… yes. I expect you arecorrect.”
“Once you get your novel copied, might I be able to read it?” Lydiaasked.
“Would you rather not wait until it is published and I can give you asignedcopy?”
“Oh, no. I have waited too long to discover your genius. Keep me no longer insuspense.”
Ellen laughed. “Oh, very well, but do you really want to spend your few weeks in London reading a novel when you can be out exploring the delights ofthecity?”
