“Shall I have my ownsuite?”
“Mother, it is a workman’s cottage. There are no suites, but I shall give you the single bedroom. I can make do with a small bed in thesittingroom.”
Mother was not takingthiswell.
“Might we not take the inheritance and procure a largerhouse?”
Lydia sighed. “There is no inheritance, only debts. In fact, most of the money you get for selling the furnishings will go to thecreditors.”
“Thenhow…?”
“I have some money of my own.” She dared not tell Mother about the money Father gave her, for fear she might blurt out about it in front of thecreditors.
“And when are we to go to Upton Major?” Sheasked.
“Upton Magna. And we shall go as soon as you can pack. I have made arrangements with the solicitor to take care of everything else here. I shall book the transportation and we shall leave in two days. So please try to be readybythen.”
* * *
“How was the wedding?”Lydia asked Jenny right after she stepped off the coach and helped hermotherdown.
Jenny gave Lydia a long hug. Then she leaned back and said, “Lovely. It was not lavish, but it was a very pleasant day. Edwin and Ellen were most attentive, but the Duchess pouted because she was losing hercompanion.”
“Lydia laughed. “Yes, I can just imagine. Has she found areplacementyet?”
“Not yet. Word is that she is very particular. They are either too young—too old—or toostupid.”
Lydia had anidea. “Hum.”
Mother came over. “What now? Are we staying atthisinn?”
“No, Mother, we arehomenow.”
“Then where is thehouse?”
“We will go there shortly, as soon as I arrange fortransportation.”
Just then a wagon appeared driven byEdwin.
“Welcome home,” he shouted, as he brought the horses toahalt.
Lydia’s face lit up. “Edwin, are you outshopping?”
“No, I came to take you and your mother to thecottage.”
“Howverykind.”
Mother leaned in to Lydia and asked. “And who is thisyoungman?”
“He is my employer and ourlandlord.”
“And has heaname?”
“Edwin Templeton. He is the Duke ofShropshire.”
“The Duke?” she asked inastonishment.
Edwin dismounted from the wagon. “Hello, Miss Jenny,” he greeted. “Is it not a great pleasure to have our Miss Lydia backamongstus?”
