“I want to hear absolutely everything,” Jenny said the next morning when Lydia returned the borrowed dress.

Lydia blushed.

Jenny took Lydia’s arm and dragged her up the stairs to her bedroom. Lydia sat on the edge of Jenny’s bed as Jenny hung the dress in the armoire. Then she turned and faced Lydia, arms akimbo.

“So? I am waiting for every last detail.” She went over and sat next to Lydia.

“There really is not that much to tell. The Doctor and I had tea with the duchess.”

“And the Duke? Was he there too?”

“Briefly. He had a wagonload of trees arriving and could not stay. But he was very much the gentleman and welcomed me warmly,” Lydia said, leaving out a lot of significant details and her more intimate thoughts.

“Is he as handsome up close as he is from afar?”

Lydia blushed again. “Yes, he is quite handsome.”

“Is he burly, or is he a gentleman?”

“I would have to say, he is a bit of both.”

“How so,” Jenny asked, scooting up closer to Lydia.

“He is a man who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, but he is also, kindly, accommodating, and seems to take a genuine interest in the person he is speaking to.”

“Oh, my, that Pamela Stafford is one lucky woman.”

“Yes, I recognize that name. I believe the Duchess mentioned that she and her family were coming to dinner. Who is she?”

“One snooty, pompous, hussy who craves a title and has plenty of family funds to back it up. Her father is a beer baron with property, cash, and holdings in shipping, and is investing in these new ventures called railroads. Have you heard of them?”

“I have,” Lydia said, somewhat subdued by this news about Pamela Stafford. “Is she a local girl?”

“No, she comes from Manchester, or Leeds, or some such place.”

“Is she pretty?”

“I haven’t seen her, but I’ve heard she certainly thinks so of herself.”

Lydia was suddenly a little shocked. “We should not be talking like this. It is not right. I never liked gossip.”

Jenny stopped. “Yes, you are right.” She paused. “But it is such fun.”

Lydia stood. “Thank you for lending me the dress. It was very kind.”

“Oh, no. You are not getting away so easily. You must tell me more about your tea.” Jenny reached up, and grabbing ahold of Lydia, pulled her back down onto the bed.

“I did meet Ellen, the sister.”

“Oh, yes. And how was she?”

“Very lovely. She was most welcoming, and asked that we meet again.”

“There you go. Then you will most certainly meet the Duke again as well.”

“He doesn’t like to be called by his title. He asked to be addressed as Edwin.”

“You don’t say…”

Lydia stood again. “I must go. I have work today. Aunt Lavinia wants all the books taken off the library shelves, dusted and reorganized. I expect it will take me several days at least.”

“Why not come by at noon for some dinner. The brothers are off on some nefarious business or other; mother has a whist luncheon; and, of course, father is at the bank being the efficient manager.”

“I would like that. It would give me a break.”

“Did you find a book you liked the other day?” Jenny asked as they descended the stairs.

“Not yet.”

“Do you want to get one now. I have one I can recommend. It is a romance. Do you like those?”

“I do, but some are a bit soppy. I often prefer historical essays.”

“I have just the thing.”

Jenny led Lydia to the library and handed her a book. “You might enjoy this. It is a historical romance.”

“The Vagaries of Celeste. Thank you. I look forward to reading it.”

* * *

Lydia coughed and swatted at the cloud of dust that fell from the heavy books she took down from the top library shelf.

“Good gracious,” she exclaimed, as she descended from the short ladder she was using to reach the books.

The clock had just struck eleven o’clock and it reminded Lydia that in just an hour she would be having a break at Jenny’s. She looked forward to it, as the Lovell household was much more lavish in their eating habits than the parsimonious Aunt Lavinia. If Jenny had not invited her to join her for dinner she would be having some leftover soup, a heel of cheese, and a slice of brown bread.

Lydia dusted the books she had just taken down and placed them on the library table to be sorted as Aunt Lavinia had instructed.

Lydia went to the back door through the kitchen and shook out several of the rags she had been using to dust the books.

She looked out over the back garden, admiring the trees and looking forward to constructing her vegetable garden if Aunt gave her permission. Lydia had not yet roused the courage to ask her.

She went back inside and moved the ladder further along the bookshelves to take down the last of the books in this particular section. She had waited until the end to tackle, what was the largest volume in the library. She could not imagine what sort of book it might be.

She climbed the ladder and reached with her fingers to slide the book along and tip it toward her. But she misjudged its weight and, as it tipped, it also slipped off the shelf. She tried managing its fall, but it was far too heavy, and it fell from her hands. She struggled to catch it, but in doing so, she twisted, and the ladder began to totter. She tried adjusting her balance, but could not, and she, too, began to fall. She tumbled onto the floor and the book fell on top of her, striking her on the head.

She let out a yelp of pain. She was certain she would develop a lump on her head, but even more worrying, was her ankle. It was in excruciating pain and she began to sob. Was it broken? Oh, my, what to do? There was no one to call out to for help.

She tried calming herself, and her sobs subsided. She scooted back against the wall and rested as she tried to figure out what to do next.

Her head, while it hurt, was less of a worry than the foot. She leaned over and reached to the ankle, which was now swelling. She tried moving the ankle, but it hurt too much. The one thing she knew for certain was that she would need to get help. And the only person even remotely close by was Jenny.

Somehow she would need to stand. She looked around the room to see what might be of assistance. Across the room, she spotted a cane that must have belonged to Lavinia’s husband. But it was not within reach. So her first task was to get over there, stand, and somehow hobble over to Jenny’s for help.

Using her hands, she slid forward and scooted to within reaching distance of the cane. There was a chair at the desk that she could reach and she shifted it away from the desk and positioned so that she might lift herself up by her arms and sit. From there she could try and stand, grab the cane and then work her way over to Jenny.

“You’re early,” Jenny exclaimed as she opened the front door. “Oh,” she exclaimed as she saw Lydia leaning on a cane.

“I’ve fallen and really hurt my ankle. Can you help me, please?”

“Oh, my darling,” she said as she took hold of Lydia by both arms and guided her into the sitting room. “Do you think it might be broken?”

“It could very well be.”

Jenny guided Lydia to sit in a wingback chair.

“I must get Doctor Cooke. He’ll be able to attend to your injury.”

Jenny looked around the room, as though she was trying to decide if she needed to take something with her. Then she remembered something.

“I have a sauce simmering on the stove. Could you watch it for me?”

“Jenny…” Lydia reminded her, nodding toward her foot.

Jenny laughed. “Oh, yes. Not exactly able to move, are you? Very well, then, let me take that off the stove so it doesn’t boil over and then I’ll get the Doctor.”

Jenny rushed to the kitchen and returned.

“Hopefully, I shan’t be long. He is just around the corner and I will be right back unless he is with a patient or on a house call.”

Jenny stopped and looked at Lydia. “Do you need anything before I go?”

Lydia was feeling faint. “I could use a glass of water if you don’t mind.”

“Certainly.”

Jenny fetched the water for Lydia and left.

* * *

Lydia had nodded off, but she was awakened when the front door opened and Jenny returned with the Doctor .

“I am Doctor Reginald Cooke,” the man said as he came over and knelt down in front of Lydia. “May I examine your foot?”

“Of course,” Lydia said.

“Is it very painful?”

“Quite so.”

The Doctor removed her shoe and short stocking and began to palpate her ankle. Lydia winced and scrunched up her face.

“Well,” the Doctor started as he released her foot and sat back on his haunches. “The good news is your ankle is not broken. It is a bad sprain, but I can wrap it tightly and you will be able to get around until it mends.”

“Oh, thank you, Doctor,” Lydia said. She took her first real look at Doctor Cooke. He was smiling up at her. He had deep brown eyes, set into a full face framed by dark, neatly cut hair. His face was further complemented by a straight nose and full lips. He was opening his bag and taking out a roll of cloth to bind her ankle.

“Miss Lovell tells me you are a newcomer to our community,” he said, as he began to bind her foot.

“Indeed, that is so.”

“And you are most welcome,” he said with an even bigger grin.

He completed his task and stood, closing his bag and handing her his calling card.

“Stay off the foot as much as you can, and please stop by my office in a week or two so that I may examine your ankle again. If there are any complications do not hesitate to see me sooner.” He reached back into his bag and took out a small envelope. “Here, take a teaspoon of this with water for your pain, as you need it. It should last you a week.”

“Oh, thank you, Doctor Cooke. I am most grateful.” Lydia was suddenly nervous. “Doctor, I don’t have any money with me for your fee.”

Reginald shook his head. “No. My first visit is always gratis. It is one way I gain new patients.” He smiled and then added. “Would you like me to escort you home?”

Jenny looked at the clock. “We are about to have dinner. Would you care to join us?” she asked.

“That indeed sounds delightful, but alas, I have patients waiting for me in my office and I must return. But… I will take you up on that offer another time… along with Miss Fernside as well, I trust.”

“I will count on it,” Jenny said. “May I show you out?”

“Thank you.”

Jenny escorted the Doctor to the door and said good-bye. She returned.

“How are you feeling? Any better?”

“I believe so, but I would like to take some of this,” she held up the envelope. “Would you prepare a draught for me please?”

“Of course. And are you hungry? We can eat whenever you like.”

“I don’t feel too much like eating right now, but I suppose I should.”

“Let me prepare the draught for you first. Perhaps your appetite will improve if the pain is lessened.”

“Thank you.”

Jenny brought Lydia the medicine then she set a table in the sitting room for luncheon and served. She helped Lydia to the table and they sat to eat.

Jenny looked up at Lydia and smiled. “He seemed taken with you.”

“Who?”

“Why, the Doctor, of course. He was grinning like a monkey.”

“I didn’t notice,” Lydia said shyly, as she took a spoonful of soup.

“I believe you did,” Jenny teased.

“He was quite handsome, that is true. Is he married?”

“I believe not.”

“Are you taken with him?” Lydia asked.

“He certainly has his charms.”

“Then you must make your interest known to him,” Lydia said. “Or are your interests otherwise engaged?”

Jenny demurred. “There is a lad at the bank who has made his intentions known to me. But I cannot, quite honestly, see it coming to any conclusion.”

“You are far too pretty and accomplished not to have a line of suitors at your door,” Lydia said.

“But I also have a mouth, a temper, and an irreverence that sends many men scurrying away.” Lydia laughed. “You must be feeling better. Has the medicine helped?”

“I do feel better, thank you. And the soup is delicious.”

“You look tired. Do you want me to help you home?” Jenny asked as she stood.

Lydia sighed. “Yes, I am tired. And if you could help me, I would appreciate that. But I also need to learn to get about on my own. I can’t have you running over to help me every time I need to move.”

“I feel certain you will mend quickly, but do be careful the next few days. And I will help however I can.”

Lydia laughed. “Do you not think it rather ridiculous, that in order for me to ask for your help I would need to hobble over here on my own?”

Jenny waggled her head. “Then you will have to develop your lung power and give me a great shout.” She came over and helped Lydia stand. “But for now, let’s get you home and settled. Your aunt will be arriving home in a few hours and she’ll be able to give you help.”

“Oh, dear. I don’t know what she’ll think about my accident. I don’t imagine she will be at all too pleased.”

“One thing at a time, my dear. Let’s just get you home for now.”