Lydia got into the coach and leaned out the window to visit more with Bernard when Doctor Cooke camerunningup.
“Oh, good. You have not left yet,” he shouted. “Miss Jenny just told me about your situation and I wanted to catch you to saygood-bye.”
“How kind of you, Reginald. It is muchappreciated.”
“Don’t forget me while youaregone.”
“Nor you me,” Lydia replied, feeling a genuine affection for the kindness heshowed.
“Perhaps you might write me if you are able?” heasked.
“IfIcan.”
The drivers called out to the horses and the coach got underway. Lydia waved until the inn was out of sight and she sat back in her seat and had a quietlittlecry.
* * *
Lydia,Mother, and sisters all hugged each other and laughed, cried, and wailed in a symphony of concern. Lydia could see there would be a lot of tears during hervisithome.
“Lydia,” her mother said. “Margaret will be sharing your room while she is here. And Emily will have Margaret’s room to herself as she hasthebaby.”
“Of course. But can I see Father now, please?” Lydiaasked.
Mother threw her hands up in the air. “Oh, dinner. What are we to do about dinner?” She turned in a circle, as though she had intended to go to the kitchen, but changed her mind, and ended up facing Lydia again. “Your Father. Of course. You must see your Father. He has a bed in his study as he tosses and turns and I cannot get a wink ofsleep.”
Lydia’s luggage was piled in the entry way. And as there was no Lucy, she would need to take it up to her room herself. But that would havetowait.
She started up the stairs, when Mother called out again, addressing the other two sisters, “One of you will need to go to Butcher Barns and pick up a string of sausages, or we shall have nothing for dinner. And perhaps a cabbage at thegreengrocers.”
Lydia disappeared into her father’s study. She was so used to seeing his bright and welcoming smile when she entered, sitting at his desk, or pulling a book from the shelf. It was a shock to see him barely sitting up in the small bed installed in the middle of thestudy.
“My darling, Lydia,” he said softly. “Come, sitbyme.”
Lydia went over and sat on the edge of the bed. She took his thin dry hand in hers. His hand was cool and fragile as anautumnleaf.
“Father, mother wrote me and said you were notfeelingwell.”
Father, laughed lightly. “I am afraid it is a bit more than notfeelingwell.”
“Oh, nonsense. You shall be up and about before youknowit.”
He shook his head. “Not this time, my darling. The doctor has been coming daily to apply leeches, but he says the prognosis is not good. However, I am resigned. And you, as my most sensible daughter, will be required to help the others. Can youdothat?”
Lydia could not speak and had to wipe away a stray tear. “Papa, do you need anything? Is there anything you want me to doforyou?”
He thought for a moment. “There is, but it is not medical. We need to discuss your mother’s future. The sisters are married and nicely established. But it is you and your mother that I worryabout.”
“Papa, I am fine. I have a situation in Upton Magna. Aunt Lavinia is getting married, and soon I will have my ownincome.”
“I am very happy to hear that. You are a good daughter. I always knew you would find your way. But there is yourmother…”
“Yes, I am concerned for her as well. She is not the most stable person. I don’t know how she can take care of herself if she isalone.”
“My concernexactly.”
“Might she stay with Emily or Margaret? As you say, they are wellestablished.”
“I have spoken to both, and they insist neither can accommodate her in their young marriages. They do not have a spare room for her. Although I am not sure that is the only reason they do not want her. She is not the easiest person to live with, although I have become accustomed to hereccentricities.”
