“I could take it in, perhaps,” Lydiasuggested.
Mother nodded. “Maybe. How is thelength?”
“Thatlooksfine.”
“This is an old traveling suit of mine that is horribly out of date, but all you would need would be the skirt. Take it if you want. I will never use it again. It has grown far too small for me to wear anymore.” She said with no hint ofirony.
“I think, Mother, you have grown too large for it, rather than it growing too smallforyou.”
“How indelicate of you to suggest such a fact. No pudding for you this evening,younglady.”
“Yes, Mother.” She shook her head at Lydia and mouthed. “She doesn’tmeanit.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lovell,” Lydia said taking the skirtfromher.
“I would clean it before you alter it,” Mothersuggested.
“Certainly. I shall do it right now. I am going riding tomorrow morning so I must scurry to get it washed, dried, and alteredintime.”
* * *
Lydia wasnervous as she stepped into the coach that would take her to Honeyfield. There was no Doctor Winston to ride with her today and sooth her with his conversation. She was alone. She suddenly realized she had no riding crop, but she felt certain Ellen would have one she couldlendher.
As the coach traveled through the countryside Lydia smiled as she remembered last evening when Aunt Laviniareturned.
Lydia had made a point of standing close by as her Aunt entered, anxious to see the response on her face as she discovered the letter from DoctorWinston.
“You have a letter,”Lydiasaid.
“Oh, yes?” Her Aunt tried to appear nonchalant as she picked up the envelope. She squeezed it and saw how thick it was. Then she couldn’t help herself and she grinned. “I think we shall forego prayers this evening,” she said as she retired to the study to read theletter.
“I have made a pie with apples Jenny gave us. Would you like a slice with your tea?” Lydia called out as she headed to thekitchen.
“That sounds lovely,” her Auntcalledback.
Lydia’s reverie was halted as the carriage arrived atHoneyfield.
Ellen was waiting for her on the steps to the entrance of the house. As the carriage stopped Ellen came over and leaned in thewindow.
“I am so excited you could come. Are you ready for your firstlesson?”
Lydia descended and took Ellen’s hand. “I am excited too, but I have to also admit to a certain amount oftrepidation.”
“Of course. And that is quite natural.” Ellen stepped back, still holding Lydia’s hand and looked her up and down. “My, how splendid you look. And what a fetching ridingcostume.”
Lydia laughed. “So glad you like it. I am afraid it is completely makeshift, as I had nothing at all to wear forriding.”
“You should have let me know, I could have lent you one of mine. I have several since I am such an avidrider.”
“I never thoughttoask.”
“It hardly matters, as you are just fine asyouare.”
Ellen led Lydia around the side of the house to thestables.
“I’ve picked out our gentlest horse for you to start learning on. She is a sweetheart and I am sure you will fall in lovewithher.”
A groom was standing in-between two horses holding on to their bridles. Lydia was suddenly verynervous.
