“Do you mean to tell me that a Duke of your stature has no one to attend to theestate?”
Edwin laughed. “I rather like to do all of those chores myself. My mother likes to call me the Duke with dirtyhands.”
“At least she has a sense of humor about it,” Lydiagiggled.
Lydia thought for a moment. “You know, if you would like, I would be happy to take on the chore of restoring the orchard. You said you could use my help, and I already have an affection for these poorly neglected trees. I would be happy to work on them and perhaps suggest some newadditions.”
“That would be mostwelcome.”
“By any chance might you have a pencil and notebook so that I might begin to take notes on what should be ordered and what work needs tobedone?”
“In my office. Let me go get those for you, and after you make your notes here, let us move on to the vegetablegarden.”
“Excellent.”
Lydia studied the trees more closely as Edwin went to fetch the writingmaterials.
They spent the rest of the morning wandering through the orchard, then went over to the vegetable plot, where she made copious notes, suggesting a wide variety of additional seeds andplants.
Both Lydia and Edwin were ready for a break after walking the garden in the hot sun with noshade.
“Miss Lydia, it certainly seems to be time for luncheon. I believe we still have some ice in our ice house and I can have our chef prepare us some cooling drinks to go withlunch.”
“That sounds most attractive,”Lydiasaid.
“Then let us proceed to the kitchen. Did you make all the notes youwanted?”
“I did. And I shall prepare a list of what plants and seeds you need to order, and a second list of what work needs to be done and the supplies needed to completethatwork.”
“You are most efficient, MissLydia.”
Lydia turned to him. “Why do you keep calling me ‘Miss Lydia?’ I am quite content with justLydia.”
“Out of respect for you. And because my mother would draw and quarter me if I called you that in frontofher.”
Lydia laughed. “Very well, Your Grace.” She threw him a quickglance.
“Touché.”
They reached the kitchen and settled down at a table Edwin kept just for himself when he could escape his mother for hismeals.
Edwin called for the butler and asked if he might go and ask Ellen if she could accept a brief hello visit from Lydia after lunch. Thebutlerleft.
When the butler returned, he leaned in and whispered to Edwin beforeleaving.
“These salad greens are wonderful,” Lydia said, as she tasted what the chef had just placedbeforeher.
“They are nice. And Oliver just spoke to Ellen and she regrets that she cannot see you today but looks forward to seeing you next week at the same time forriding.”
“I am sorry not to see hertoday.”
“And one morething.”
“Yes?”
“Mamma has usurped the carriage for this afternoon, so if you don’t mind I will take you back home after lunchmyself.”
Lydia was surprised. “No, that will not be necessary, I can walk. My aunt does it twice a day, every day she comes to be with yourmother.”
