Chapter37
Lydia had removedher ball gown and was dressed in a simple robe over her nightdress. She was sitting on a sofa in her room reading when there was a knock atherdoor.
“Yes, come in, please,” shecalledout.
Ellenentered.
“Are you all right? I was so worried when David told me you had left. Did youbecomeill?”
She came over and sat down next to Lydia onthesofa.
Lydia’s shoulders slumped and she lowered her head. “No, Ellen, I am quite well. I just… I… I have to be honest and say I am really not enjoying Londonverymuch.”
Ellen reached out and put her hand on Lydia’s arm. “Oh, my dear, I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do to brightenyouup?”
Lydia hesitated but decided to tell Ellen. “I saw Daniel at theparty.”
“Yes, as did I,” Ellen added. “However, he didn’t speak a word to me and seemed to be avoiding me. I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but now that youmentionit…”
“I think Caroline must have gotten to him. I feel quite certain she does not want Daniel to have anything to do with me because she is jealous. She has probably told Daniel some terrible lies about me, and now he has cutmeoff.”
“Is that what it is? Hmm. Well. She is just going to have to deal with me then, for I shall not have themeanb…”
She hesitated. “I cannot find a polite word for what she is. No sister-in-law is going to make dispersions against my dearest friend. I care not if her father is the Earl of Albermarsh. I am the daughter and the sister of the Duke of Shropshire—and a Duke beats an Earl in my book any day oftheweek.”
They bothlaughed.
“I will tell you what. I believe tomorrow is to be a sunny day, let us go for a drive in the Barouche with the top down in Hyde Park. We shall see and be seen by everyone. We shall stun them all with our radiant beauty. What do you say? Let us make a morning of it, and then have lunch afterward atWiltons.”
“Soundsdelightful.”
* * *
Ellen had beencorrect about the weather. It was not only sunny but also mildly warm, with no breeze. Even though it was still several months away, there was just the faintest hint of spring intheair.
Ellen had insisted they dress up in their finest day dresses, and they each carried a parasol to shade them from any complexion harming rays. Even though Lydia pointed out that her complexion was already battered by months of hard work inthesun.
“It is about the look, not the actual effect,” Ellenhadsaid.
At ten-thirty Ellen and Lydia climbed into the newly washed and polishedBarouche.
“Hyde Park,” Ellen instructed thedriver.
They set off at a nice pace toward the park and soon entered onto the carriageway. Because it was such a beaconing day, many other ladies and gentlemen had chosen to take a turn around the park. It was almost like a summer morning it was socrowded.
Of course, Lydia knew none of the gentry passing by in their carriages, but Ellen did, and she waved, nodded, and smiled at mostofthem.
The carriage drive was a circle through the park and after they had circled twice, Ellen suggested. “I think another turn around the drive would be considered ostentatious. Shall we head over toWiltonsnow?
“I know it is a bit early, but I would like a bottle of champagne and half a dozen oysters. Shall we indulge ourselves just a little? I should like to boost your spirits before I need to leave for Edwin’s wedding in afewdays.”
That little reminder did not lift Lydia’s spirits but deflated themfurther.
Ellen could see she had upset Lydia and said. “Oh, dear, I have said the wrong thing, haveInot?”
“It is quite all right. It is true. Youareleaving for the wedding in a few days, and I shall be left alone in London while youaregone.”
There was no doubt about it. Lydiawasfeeling sorry for herself, and she hated when she did that. And that made her even moremorose.
