“It is no trouble. I am happy toescortyou.”
“Thank you, dear friend, but it is not necessary. I shall use the brief time to contemplate the lovelyafternoon.”
“As you wish. Then allow me to arrange for the carriage. But first I must say my good-byes to you. I shall be leaving tomorrow and it is unlikely I shall see you again before Idepart.”
“I hope this is not the end of our friendship,” Lydiaadded.
“That is my hope as well. And there is a good possibility it will not be the end. I have every intention of corresponding with Mrs. Daws, and if circumstances develop as I hope they might, then we shall certainly meetagain.”
Bernard disappeared and Lydia was left alone in the entryway. No one was about, so she exited the house and stood to wait on the steps for thecoach.
As she looked around the fine property she saw Edwin in the distance working with several men unloading trees from a wagon. She never expected to see a duke doing manual labor. He was a most surprising man. And she had to admit to herself, very attractiveaswell.
But she had to sigh as she realized that the distance between their stations was so far apart as to beinsurmountable.
As she was watching Edwin work, he looked up, and seeing her, waved. She waved back, and much to her surprise he started walkingtowardher.
She suddenly became embarrassed. She did not want to distract him from his work, and didn’t feel it necessary for him to come and bid hergood-bye.
“Off so soon?” Edwin asked as he approached. He wiped his dirty hands together to knock off the soil from thetrees.
“Oh, your Grace, I must. Your mother became tired and left for a nap. That left only the Doctor and me, and he graciously showed me aroundHoneyfield.”
“Come now, Miss Lydia, what did I tell you about calling meEdwin?”
“Yes. Edwin, itshallbe.”
“Did you enjoy your tour of thehouse?”
“I did. It is such a lovely home. Oh, and I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen. How sweetsheis.”
“I thought you two mightgeton.”
Just then the carriage drove up and the footman jumped down and openedthedoor.
“Thank you, Edwin, for your hospitality. It has been a genuinepleasure.”
“And I hope we will meet again soon. I would love to hear more about your interest in gardening,” he said, taking her hand and helping her into the carriage. The footman then closedthedoor.
“Good-bye,” she said and waved, as the carriage started up and rounded the fountain before disappearing down thedrive.
As she rode home, Lydia was still flush with excitement. She wasn’t at all tired but was energized by the splendid afternoon. And she couldn’t stop thinking about Edwin. It was an impossible situation, but he didn’t make itseemso.
