Finally, the carriage arrived and they stepped inside. Lydia stared out the window as Honeyfield receded until they turned the bend and itdisappeared.
Lydia rested her head against the back of the seat, closed her eyes, and remembered—of course, what had she been thinking? He was the Duke of Shropshire. She was the daughter of a lowly vicarandhis employee. What did she imagine was going to happen? He danced with her out of duty and to be a good host. He had no feelings for her—could have no feelings for her. They were as separate as oil and water. And realizing that, she settled back in the seat and quenched any possibility oftears.
* * *
Lydia hadno time to think any more about the ball. There were two looming urgent tasks—the wedding, just a week and a half away, and the move. Fortunately, Aunt and Bernard were focused on the decisions regarding the wedding, but it did occupy most of their time, and Lydia was left the task of continuing to run thehousehold.
Poor Gingersnap was perplexed by all the goings on and spent a great deal of time hiding underLydia’sbed.
And when Lydia was not preparing meals, or doing the washing, or shopping, she was packing away her aunt’s lifetime of household possessions in boxes provided by the removers—with Jenny’soccasionalhelp.
Lydia stopped by Doctor Cooke’s office one morning when she was shopping to say hello, but he was with a patient. She scribbled a short note and tucked it under hisofficedoor.
She was beginning to somewhat dread her next appointment with Edwin to work on the orchard. However, she knew this work was going to be the source of her income from now on and it was necessary to find a way to continue working comfortably with His Grace—for that is how she must think of him movingforward.
She was already dressed in her work clothes when the carriage came to fetch her Friday morning. Riding to Honeyfield she decided to be friendly, but cool and aloof with Edwin from hereonout.
When the carriage arrived there was no one to greet her. Lydia figured the staff assumed that she knew her way to the office by now, and, in reality, she was no longer a guest, but anemployee.
As Lydia was passing by the stable on the way to the office she caught sight of Ellen mounting her horse, and her riding companion was none other than Edwin’s London friend, Bartley Evans. Lydia felt another stab of regret. Now Ellen was replacing her as a riding partner with this newgentleman.
But as they were riding away from the stable, Ellen saw Lydia and directed her horse overtoher.
“Oh, Lydia, how lovely to see you. How haveyoubeen?”
Lydia shaded her eyes as she looked up at Ellen on the horse. “Just fine,thankyou.”
“Are you busy with the wedding preparations?” Ellenasked.
“Not so much. But I am busy packing my aunt’s possessions for her move toOxford.”
“And I am so excited to learn that you will be a close neighbor now. Edwin told me about you taking one of the cottages. That is so splendid. Now, we shall be closer, and when time allows, can go riding together. Edwin is very excited to haveyouhere.”
That caught Lydia by surprise. And why was she allowing herself to be ambushed like this? She knew better than to be taken in by his seemingly kind words about her.Remember—he is a Duke, and you are a vicar’sdaughter.
The young man came riding over to the twoofthem.
Ellen turned to him. “Bartley, this is my dear sister and friend, LydiaFernside.”
“Hello, Lydia Fernside,” he said, tipping his hat. “Edwin has told me so much about you.” He had a generous smile and genuinely seemed pleased tomeether.
Lydia was becoming flustered and annoyed. Why were they both mentioning what Edwin saidabouther?
“Are you enjoying your stay at Honeyfield,” Lydia asked, trying to divert the attention fromherself.
He turned and smiled at Ellen. “It has been most enjoyable, although I must soon return to London. And I have every hope that my sadness shall be brief, for I expect to welcome the delightful Miss Ellen to Londonquitesoon.”
Lydia brightened. “Then your Mother and Brother have relented? You are to reside inLondon?”
“Shortly, but not right away. They insist I wait until thespring.”
“Then we shall be able to continue riding together until youleave?”
“We shall. But right now, we must be off, before it becomes too hot, and I start wilting like a just pickedlettuce.”
Lydia laughed. “Enjoyyourride.”
She shaded her eyes again as the couple rode off into the fields. Her spirits felt somewhat lifted by Ellen’s good news. And she had to admit, she found Bartley Evans to be very appealing, and perhaps a good match for the free-spirted,Ellen.
