Chapter2
Henry Howell walkeddown the alley toward where Lydia was, once again, attempting to get into her novel. At his approach, shelookedup.
This was her beau, she contemplated. Yes, he was handsome in a regular way, but he had a pinched face and a slightly pained expression that never seemed to relax. He had a full face and a stocky body. She could easily foresee him adding many additional pounds as he aged. And while portly husbands could be considered prosperous, as far as she was concerned, she tended to favor a leaner gentleman who did not need to have the waist of his trousers let out every sixmonths.
At three and thirty his hair was already thinning, and while he dressed conservatively, he did not tend to turn many of the lady’s heads as he paraded down the post road in the middle ofPiddlehinton.
He looked nervous as he approached and he took out his pocket handkerchief and wiped his brow severaltimes.
“My darling, Lydia. You look cool andrefreshed.”
“Thank you, Henry. Won’t you take a seat,” she said, patting the bench at the place nexttoher.
He hesitated and proceeded to pace before her, again moppinghisbrow.
“Shall we go inside for tea?” sheasked.
“Not yet, if you don’t mind. I was hoping we might have a conversation alonefirst.”
“Of course. But won’tyousit?”
“Ah… no, thank you. I am much toonervous.”
Oh no,she thought,is this to be the proposal?She closed her book and placed her hands in her lap. Her mind was racing. What should she say? Was she prepared to take this man as her husband? An involuntary shudder sweptoverher.
This was going to be the moment of truth. She’d not consciously made up her mind whether to accept him or not, but now she must make that decision. Could she be his wife? In all honesty, she could not. She steeled herself to politely refuse his offer, but she must first hearhimout.
“Please, be at ease. What would you like to converse about?” sheasked.
“Lydia… My darling, Lydia, as you know we have been in close conversation this pasttwelvemonth.”
Oh dear,she thought, “And you know how greatly I esteem your many fine qualities and accomplishments,” hecontinued.
“And I am certain you have certain expectations surrounding our longcourtship.”
Lydia spoke up, impatiently, “And you as well, Ibelieve.”
This seemed to throw Henry out of his rhythm. “Yes. Yes, of course. And that is what I wish to discusswithyou.”
“Then please proceed,” Lydia said, wanting to get to theconclusion.
“Yes. Yes. Well, you see, I have given our circumstances a great deal of contemplation and it seems that I must say, with all honesty, that it has come time for me to declare myintentions.”
“Please do, Henry. The suspense is almost beyondbearing.”
“Yes. Certainly. And Lydia I have come to the conclusion that we are perhaps not suited for each other.” He took a deep breath and looked at her with a certain amount ofapprehension.
“Henry, are you saying that you arenotinterested inmarriage?”
“Oh, yes… marriagecertainly?”
“Then thisisaproposal?”
“Yes. No. Marriage. Yes, I am interested in marriage… but just notwithyou.”
Lydia couldn’t help herself and she let out a hearty laugh—both from his confusion and herrelief.
“Then there is someone else?” sheasked.
