After dinner, and when the gentlemen had again joined the ladies, the three elders gathered together for a game of cards, while the youngsters stood around the pianoforte as Ellen played songs that everyone might know, to encourage them to sing along as she played.

Edwin and Caroline stood on one side of the pianoforte. Lydia stood next to Ellen to turn the music pages for her. Daniel stood at the far end of the instrument and gazed over toward Lydia.

Ellen encouraged Lydia to join her on a few songs, but the others did not sing. Finally, Ellen had had enough and stood up and said, “Very well, you have had your entertainment from me. Now… it is your turn to entertain me.”

“Shall I dance a jig?” Edwin asked as he attempted a few awkward dance steps.

Lydia noticed that Caroline stood away from Edwin with a look of distaste.

“Oh, brother, please, you look rather like a camel.”

“And just how many dancing camels have you seen?” he joked.

“Absolutely none, but I can imagine.”

The concert ended, Daniel went over to Caroline and they stepped aside to chat.

Ellen went to a side table where there was a coffee service and the butler prepared her a cup.

Edwin came over to Lydia. “Are you having an enjoyable evening?”

“Yes, very.” He stood close to her and she could feel the warmth of his body and caught the musky scent that she recognized as his.

She looked up at him. “I appreciated your toast,” she said, “But it was totally unnecessary.”

Edwin smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. “It was totally deserved.”

“Edwin,” the Duchess called out from the card table. “We need you to settle a dispute.”

He looked over, but a look of irritation flashed across his face. “Very well,” he answered, and then he turned back to Lydia. “Her Majesty commands.” He went over to his mother.

Lydia was alone and unsure what she wanted to do. She saw that Ellen was sitting alone with her coffee so she went to sit with her after refilling her cup.

“Are you enjoying Daniel’s company?” Ellen asked.

“He is most courteous.”

Ellen looked at Lydia. “Courteous? And that is all?”

“He converses well.”

“Oh, my dear—damning with faint praise.”

Lydia whispered. “I fear he might have a slight drinking problem. He consumed a great deal of wine at dinner.”

“Perhaps prompted by the exuberance of the occasion. You do not find him fine looking?”

Lydia nodded. “He is well put together.”

Ellen laughed. “Lydia, you do have a funny way of saying things.” She considered for a moment. “Give him some time. He might grow on you. Or are you too taken with my brother?”

Lydia blushed and shook her head. “No, not that.” She looked up and saw the Duchess pointing toward Caroline. Edwin nodded and started toward her, but he turned his head and looked at Lydia and smiled. She looked away.

The Duchess was not one for a late night, and she stood up—Mother following—and bid everyone good-evening. She left the room on Mother’s arm. That left the Earl alone at the card table, and he soon painfully stood and also bade good-night, and hobbled out of the sitting room.

Edwin spoke up. “Unless any of you would like to play a hand of cards, I suggest we call it an evening. What do you all say?”

“I am tired from the journey, I should like to retire,” Caroline said, as she looked toward Edwin, expecting him to offer to escort her. But he made no movement toward her.

“And I shall accompany you, my dear,” Daniel offered.

He took her arm and they stopped by Ellen and Lydia.

“It was a great pleasure meeting you, Miss Lydia,” Daniel said as he bowed.

“And you,” Lydia said as she stood. “Miss Caroline,” she added and nodded.

The brother and sister left.

“I am going to stay awhile,” Ellen said, “I wish to finish my coffee, and perhaps I shall read.”

Edwin came over to Lydia. “Miss Lydia…” He offered his arm. “Might I escort you back to your cottage?”

Lydia looked at him, puzzled by his offer. She walked alone day and evening and he had not offered to escort her before. Perhaps it was the formality of the occasion.

“If you like, but I am quite capable of making my way home alone.”

“But it would be my pleasure,” he added.

It was a clear, starry night, but this late in the summer there was a slight chill in the air. Edwin walked beside Lydia. They were both in silence until Lydia spoke.

“The Beaufort family seems to be very pleasant. However, I feel sympathy for the poor Earl with his infirmity.”

“Yes, he does suffer.”

“And Caroline seems to be a charming young woman.” Lydia looked over to see how Edwin might react, but it was too dark to make out his face.

“Yes, my mother is much taken with her.”

That was a strange reaction, Lydia thought. “And how long will they be visiting?” she asked.

“A week or so I believe. They had wished to spend some time at their estate, but their house is not open and so they requested to stay with us.”

“And is Mr. Daniel a close friend of yours?”

Edwin looked over at Lydia. “Not close, but we have a long acquaintance.”

They walked on in silence until they reached the cottage. It was strange to think that she would soon be all alone here, 0nce her mother moved in with Mrs. Forbes.

When they reached the cottage they stopped and turned to each other. Lydia had not left a candle burning so it was totally dark, except for the stars above.

Edwin reached out and took one of Lydia’s hands.

“You know; it is all my mother’s doing.”

“What is?” Lydia asked, her heart fluttering.

“This whole event. It is a charade.”

“I don’t understand,” Lydia said, shaking her head.

Edwin hesitated. “I have said too much. Good-night, Miss Lydia.”

He turned and quickly walked away. Lydia stood in the dark breathless. She felt the night close in around her. She was slightly shaking. Was it the cold or was it something else? She turned and went into the cottage and lit a candle. Her mother would be home soon.

* * *

The next morning, when Lydia showed up for work, she found the promised workers digging the holes for the new trees. Lydia had carefully staked out where each tree would go so they would know where to dig. But Edwin was not with them.

Lydia introduced herself and pitched in and began to dig alongside the men.

It was going very well and it was about ten o’clock when Lydia stopped to wipe her brow with a handkerchief. She stood resting on her shovel when she saw Edwin come out of the house, followed by Caroline in her riding costume. It was clear they were to go riding together—without Ellen.

Lydia remembered the day of their picnic and a stab of jealously and regret surged through her. But there was nothing to be done. She knew and understood the situation. It seemed the Duchess had a much firmer grip on the family than Lydia had first realized.

And she was haunted and thought back to what Edwin had told her just before he left her last night.

They were nearly done with digging the holes, but the shipment of new trees had not arrived yet. And as Edwin was off riding with Caroline, she decided to take the afternoon off and go visit Jenny. The workmen said they could easily finish the job in the next few hours. She needed to see her friend and seek commiseration.

* * *

Lydia pulled the trap up in front of the Lovell house. She tied off the pony and went to the door. It was Jenny who answered her knock.

“Oh, Lydia… just the person I wanted to see. Come in.”

Jenny ushered her inside and led her to the kitchen. “Cuppa?” she asked.

“Absolutely.”

“I miss your wonderful biscuits,” Jenny said. “I always knew when to visit you when I smelled the aroma of your delicious baking.”

“Fear not,” Lydia said, as she reached into her bag and pulled out a batch of biscuits wrapped in a napkin that she had baked for Jenny.

“Oh, my dear. You are a fairy godmother, are you not?” Jenny opened the napkin and smelled the fresh biscuits. “Sesame?” she asked.

“Yes. Here, let me have one.” Jenny reached out and took one from the batch which was still slightly warm.

“I have news,” Jenny said, as she started preparing the tea.

“Yes?”

“Someone has made an offer on your aunt’s house.”

“Oh. That was sudden. Have you met the buyers?”

“I have. A charming young couple with two little girls. He is a carpenter, I believe. And she seems to be just delightful. I think I am about to replace you with a new best friend.”

“You dare not,” Lydia insisted.

Jenny shook her head. “No. Never.”

“And Doctor Cooke? Any news there?”

Jenny shot her a look. “Over tea. When we are settled.”

“It must be good news then,” Lydia said smiling.

“Let us go outside into the garden,” Jenny said as she completed making the tea.

They traipsed into the back garden and sat at a wicker table in the shade of a large beech.

Jenny played mother as she poured, and then handed Lydia her cup.

“Now, then…” Lydia insisted. “Doctor Cooke.”

It was clear Jenny was savoring the news as she took her time, building the suspense. Then she just looked at Lydia with a huge grin.

“Did he?” Lydia asked finally.

Jenny nodded. “He wants a Christmas wedding.”

“Oh, before I leave for London. How splendid.”

“And will you be my chief bridesmaid?”

Lydia was hushed. “Are you certain?”

“Absolutely.”

“Of course, I will,” Lydia enthused.

“Where is the wedding going to be held?

“Saint Andrew’s, and the reception will be at the inn.”

“Not here?” Lydia asked.

“Not enough room. Reggie is inviting his whole family and they will be staying at his house, with spillover at the inn. And they can supply the food and drink, and take care of all the details.”

“Then we need to make lists,” Lydia insisted. “We need to make sure we do not miss any detail.”

“We can do that, but first tell me your news.”

Lydia told Jenny about her mother moving over to Mrs. Forbes.”

“Oh, Lord, the Widow Forbes? Truly? I hope your mother is extremely patient, for the Widow is very demanding. She has gone through any number of elderly women she has taken in to live with her. But then she ends up treating them like indentured servants.”

“Oh, dear. I must warn her immediately. She is planning to move in with the lady this very afternoon. But I do not know if she will take my advice. She can be as stubborn as me, and I am concerned she will disregard my warning.”

“Then you best be prepared to take your mother back, for I fear her stay with the widow will not be for long.”

Lydia sighed. “I was afraid something like that might happen. I was not impressed with the lady when I first met her. But my mother was taken with her fine house and impressed that her husband had been the mayor.”

“And how is Edwin? Any news from you on that front?”

Lydia shook her head. “Oh, Jenny, there is no good news there. The Duchess has her mind set on Edwin marrying Miss Caroline Beaufort. The Beaufort’s are visiting for a whole week. And this very morning I saw Caroline and Edwin go riding off into the sunset… or rather, the sunrise together.” Lydia shook herself as though to rid herself of these thoughts. “But let us not concern ourselves with Edwin Templeton. We have much more joyous plans for your wedding to attend to.

* * *

Lydia paced the little pony as quickly as he would go. She needed to talk to her mother about Mrs. Forbes. It was already mid-afternoon and she knew Mrs. Forbes’s carriage would be coming shortly to collect her mother and her luggage.

She left the trap outside the cottage. She did not have time to take it to the stables first.

“Mother,” she called out as she entered.

“Yes, dear?” Mother answered. She was in the bedroom completing her packing. Lydia stood at the door.

“I have just been to see Jenny…”

“And how is she? She was so lovely to me when I first arrived in Upton Magna.”

“She is fine, but I have something very important to share with you.”

“Very well, but can it not wait until later? Mrs. Forbes’s carriage shall be here shortly and I am not quite ready.”

“No, mother it cannot wait. It is about your move that I need to speak.”

Her mother looked over, with an exasperated look. “What is it, Lydia?”

“Jenny has told me some very troubling tales about Mrs. Forbes. I think it is unwise for you to move into her house. I know it is late to change plans, but it is for your own peace of mind. Jenny says Mrs. Forbes will treat you very badly.”

Mother looked conflicted, and she fussed with the packing, and then said, “That must be complete nonsense. Cynthia has been nothing but the very best friend to me. Whatever Miss Jenny said must be in error. I am not going to abandon my plans at this late date and insult a fine lady. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to finish my packing.”

Lydia knew better than to engage further with her mother when she had her mind set, so she left and took the trap back to the stables.

After she got the pony fed and settled, she left the stable to go over to the orchard to see if all the holes had been completed as planned.

As she was leaving, she caught sight of Caroline standing near the entrance to the house, as though she was waiting for someone.

Once Caroline saw Lydia, she started heading toward her. Lydia stopped to wait for her.

“Good afternoon, Miss Caroline, are you having a pleasant day?”

Caroline stopped before her but was silent at first. “And this is what you do?” she finally asked, waving her hand toward the orchard.

“Yes. The orchard had been neglected and I have been bringing it back into shape.”

“Is that not the work of servants?” she asked with a decided sneer in her voice.

“It takes someone with knowledge of horticulture to handle the job properly,” Lydia said. She was not going to allow herself to be bullied by this woman.

“And that is you?”

Lydia did not respond but studied her response. She decided to get right to the issue. “Miss Caroline. Do you have a problem with me?”

Caroline did not seem to be expecting such a direct question and hesitated.

“Edwin… he talks about you all the time. It is always Lydia this… Lydia that.”

“He is very kind.”

“He is not kind. He is infatuated. And I want it to stop. The Duchess has every intention that he and I shall marry. My family wishes it. His family wishes it. So this is a warning. Stay away from Edwin and do not try to entice him with your charms and wiles.”

Lydia could only laugh, which completely threw Caroline.

“You are laughing at me?” she shouted, indignantly.

“Oh, no, Miss Caroline. I am not laughing at you. I am laughing at myself.”

Again Caroline did not know how to take her comment, and said, “I do not understand.”

“Of course, you do not. I am laughing at myself because at one point I fancied that he might be interested in me. But it is absurdly funny for me to think that Edwin would have any serious romantic interest in me, whatsoever. And thus I laugh at myself.

“However, you, Miss Caroline, are sadly absurd, and not funny, because you care not for Edwin, but only for yourself.

“I, however, care only for Edwin and not myself. I want what is best for him. And, by the way, I think he is perfectly capable of deciding for himself what is in his best interests. And now, good day, Miss Caroline.”