“Hum. Now, this is becominginteresting.”
“Jenny, please do not make a big issue of this. We share this common interest. He needs help, and I need an income. This might be a way for me to make a living once my auntleaves.”
Jenny was stunned. “Your aunt isleaving?”
Lydia realized she had just told Jenny what she had no business telling her yet. “Oh, Jenny, I should not have told you that. It is a private matter withmyaunt.”
“No, tell me. I can keep a secret.” Jenny’s face lit up with the excitement of newgossip.
“I will be able to tell you shortly, but not yet. Please, do not press me on thisissue.”
Jenny pouted as she sipped at her tea and took two biscuits to place on hersaucer.
Lydia insisted, “Now, I must start my supper, and I am certain you must need to get your market shopping to yourmother.”
“Are you shoving me out the door?” Jennygroused.
“Yes. I am. I have a lot to do and a lot to think about. So I need to be alone before Auntcomeshome.”
“Very well. But don’t forget we need to discuss the ball. Maybe you can help me with my gown. And what are you goingtowear?”
“I do not know. I have many more urgent concernsthanthat.”
“You are being very mysterious these days, Lydia. If I did not know better, I would think you were no longer myfriend.”
Lydia became impatient and went over, picked up Jenny’s market basket, handed it to her, grabbed her by the waist from behind and marched her toward thefrontdoor.
“I am your friend, Jenny. Now be my friend and give me some peace—please.”
“Very well,verywell.”
Lydia closed the door behind Jenny, leaned back against the front door, and let outasigh.
* * *
Doctor Cooke stoodat the front door with Lydia’s empty biscuit tin in his hands as she answered the door. She looked up atthesky.
“Oh, Reginald, I didn’t think you would come this morning,” Lydia said. “I am so sorry—I am not ready forawalk.”
“Why would I not be here, aspromised?”
“The weather is so threatening. It looks like it could pour down at any moment.” As she was a little rattled, she had forgotten her manners and added. “Please, Doctor, come in. No need to keep you standing on thedoorstep.”
“Thank you.” He removed his hat and stepped inside. He offered her the empty tin. “Your biscuits were quite marvelous. I finished them far tooquickly.”
“Then, I will need to make yousomemore.”
“I would not say notothat.”
“Please take a seat. Shall I makesometea?”
Reginald sat at one end ofthesofa.
“Not for me, thank you. I had a latebreakfast.”
There was a rumble of thunder and it began to pour down rain ratherfiercely.
“Miss Lydia, you were certainly correct about the rain. I should be drenched if I had been but a few momentslater.”
