When the carriage arrived at the Honeyfield front entrance, Edwin and Doctor Winston were waiting for her. Lydia couldn’t even wait for the footman to open the door and she leapt out and rushed over to greet the Doctor.

“Bernard, how wonderful to see you again.”

“Miss Lydia, the pleasure is all mine.” He took her hand and kissed it.

“Hello, Edwin. And it is always wonderful to see you again, as well,” Lydia greeted.

“Miss Lydia,” he said standing by and bowing—allowing the uninterrupted greeting to take place first between Lydia and the Doctor.

Lydia beamed, as she addressed Bernard. “My aunt has been much taken with your correspondence and it has lightened her heart greatly.”

“As she has mine,” Bernard answered. “Will you be joining us for luncheon?”

Lydia looked at Edwin, who nodded.

“I believe so, and perhaps we can catch up on all the news then.”

“I look forward to it. Until then, Miss Lydia. However, Her Grace is insistent I return as quickly as possible, for she is anxious for a hand of whist.”

“Good day, Doctor.”

Bernard bowed to her and then to Edwin, and went back into the house. Edwin then stepped forward.

“Miss Lydia, I have been eagerly awaiting your return. As has my sister who insists she must stop by sometime this morning to give you her regards.”

“Where would you like to start this morning?” Lydia asked. I am prepared to start right away on the orchard.”

“Let us go to my office first. I would like to examine your lists, if you have them with you. And we need to discuss your salary.”

“Very well.”

Edwin led the way past the stables to his office.

Lydia immediately felt the closeness of the small office and how Edwin’s presence filled the room. It almost gave her shortness of breath, but she managed to calm herself, and opened the folder where she had the lists she’d made for Edwin.

“May I?” he asked as he reached out for the papers.

She looked up and caught his gaze. He was smiling and his eyes bore into her. She needed to look away after handing him the lists.

Edwin sat down in a chair at the table and began running through the pages. Lydia remained standing even though there was a chair opposite of where he was sitting.

He looked up. “Yes, just as I remember our conversation from the other day. I am quite pleased with this direction.”

He saw she was still standing and nodded toward the chair.

“Won’t you take a seat, Miss Lydia?” She sat down. “I hope you will feel comfortable as we work together. Please think of us as equals. For this to be a successful operation there must be an openness of thought and an ease in our communication.” He gestured toward a small table by the door. “I always keep a pitcher of water here, for when we are out in the open for long periods we can become quite thirsty. This alleviates the need to go to the house for water.”

She nodded.

Edwin sat looking at her for some moments without speaking. He seemed to be considering an issue. Finally, he said, “Have you given any thought to what your fee for service might be for this project?”

Lydia was completely taken aback. She had absolutely no idea what a fee for such work might be. Was she to be regarded as an agricultural laborer—like a gardener? Or was she to be considered as a consultant—like an architect or a solicitor? All she knew was what income her father made as the Vicar of Piddlehinton. She believed it was somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three hundred a year. And she believed her brother-in-law made perhaps three-fifty to four hundred a year as a merchant. But those were full time and responsible positions—far above her occasional work for Edwin.

“Oh, Edwin, I have absolutely no idea? I trust you to know, much better than I, what might be appropriate.”

“Very well. Would you be amenable to twenty-five pounds a month? And that would be for twice a week—as I know you have responsibilities for your aunt.”

“Oh, Edwin, that is far too great a figure. I could never accept such a sum.” She was truly shocked. That was much more than her aunt was paid attending on the Duchess six days a week.

“Then what do you propose?”

Lydia was flustered. “Oh, Edwin, please, might we discuss this at another time? I just have no idea. Perhaps I might consult with a few friends and we can reach a decision later. I would prefer to get to work and see how things go.”

“As you wish. I shall stand by that figure for now, and we can decide later.”

“Lydia, there you are,” Ellen said, as she came into the office. “I am so sorry I missed our ride on Tuesday.”

“Please, think nothing of it. Your brother and I made good use of the time. For some obscure reason he has asked me to help him with his horticultural projects. I am to oversee the renovation of the orchard and vegetable garden. You shall, one day soon, have an abundant variety of produce and a cornucopia of delicious fruits.”

Ellen turned to Edwin. “Oh, brother, am I interrupting an important meeting?”

“We are planning our next steps in working together. You are welcome to join us if you like, but I expect it would not interest you,” Edwin said.

“And why would you think that?” Ellen asked, a little indignant that he would dismiss her so easily. “Do you think I do not care about your plans for the estate, and even more importantly for the household, the vegetable garden, and the orchard?”

“You have never evidenced any interest, up to now,” he said with a faint smile.

Ellen waggled her head. “That may be so, but my dear sister Lydia is now involved in making life better for us here at Honeyfield, and I want to support her however I may.”

Edwin nodded. “Then are you prepared to roll up your sleeves, grab a saw, climb a tree, and get to work?”

Ellen thought about that for a moment. “Well… actually, I think I might be more suited to standing in the shade, pointing a finger, and saying to someone else, cut there.”

“That is what I thought,” Edwin laughed.

Lydia stood. “Well, Miss Ellen, you can come with me, point where you like, and tell me where to cut. It is time for me to get to work.”

“Oh, I could never tell you where to cut, Lydia. You are way more knowledgeable about such matters than I am.”

“Well, since you are teaching me to ride, perhaps I could teach you how to garden.”

Ellen considered that. “You know; I just might enjoy that. Let me go change into something more suitable to work in and I shall join you shortly.”

“Excellent,” Lydia said.

Ellen left and headed back toward the house.

Edwin stood up from the table. “Miss Lydia, just so you know, I would not expect Ellen to return any time soon. Manual labor has never appealed to her, and I imagine she shall go to her rooms, think about what she might wear, but somewhere along the way get an idea for the story she is working on and get lost in her writing. Do not take it personally. It is just Ellen being Ellen.”

“But we adore her anyway, do we not?” Lydia said smiling.

“That we do.”

“Is there anything else you wish to discuss before I begin work on the orchard?”

Edwin scratched his mane of shaggy hair. “If I might suggest—considering that your dear friend, Dr. Winston, is visiting, and the fact that we shall be having luncheon together shortly, might it not be a better idea to wait to start work on the orchard until next time? I would not like you to get your lovely frock dirty today, as you certainly would if you were clambering around trees with a saw in hand.”

“A most sensible suggestion, Edwin. In fact, I was thinking it might be a good idea for me to keep a set of work clothes here to change into and leave behind each day when I am here to work.”

Edwin nodded. “Excellent idea. What did you wear when you worked in your garden at home?”

“I have a linen shirt and a pair of pantaloons that allow me to climb and work quite unhindered. And a set of work gloves.”

“Most appropriate.”

They had come to a moment of silence. Lydia, not having her work to fall back on, was uncertain what she wanted to say. She turned to look at the plans for the estate lying on the table. She reached over and fingered one of the drawings. Edwin stepped forward and came up close behind her, putting his hand on her waist as he tried to scoot past her in the tight space. She looked up.

“Excuse me, Lydia, I was just trying to get past you. I can see if we are to work together I must get a larger office.” He smiled at her and passed on by.

Lydia found her breathing had increased and her heart was racing. Doctor Cooke never made her feel like this. And now she began to wonder how she might be affecting Edwin.

It was at that moment Ellen returned. Ellen had, without knowing, rescued Lydia at the moment she was most vulnerable. Lydia needed to get farther away from Edwin’s physical influence and went to pour herself a glass of water.

“I am so sorry,” Ellen said, as she took hold of Lydia’s elbow. “I meant to come back to help you, but I got caught up in cleaning out my armoire when I was looking for something suitable to wear.”

Lydia glanced over at Edwin, who smiled, and nodded with an ‘I told you so” look.

“But I see you are not working yet. Tell me what I can do,” Ellen continued.

Edwin spoke up. “We have abandoned work for today in honor of Doctor Winston’s arrival and the luncheon we shall soon be sharing together.”

“Oh, splendid,” Ellen said, her eyes dancing. “Then come with me Lydia and we shall chat before we assemble for lunch.” She turned to her brother. “What do you say about that, Edwin? May I steal her away from you?”

Edwin scratched the stubble on his chin. “I shall miss her terribly, but if you insist, I cannot deny you Miss Lydia’s company.”

Lydia was surprised, but most pleased by what he had just said.

“Come then, sister,” Ellen said, grabbing hold of Lydia’s hand and dragging her out of the office.

As they left, Lydia turned to Ellen and said, “I should very much like to spend some time visiting with Doctor Winston, before luncheon. Might that be possible?”

“Certainly. He is jolly company, however, when I last saw him he was in deep conversation with your aunt—much to the displeasure of my mother, I might add. Mamma riles when she is not the center of attention.”

Lydia laughed heartily. “Oh, I should not laugh, should I? It is disrespectful.”

Ellen patted Lydia on the arm. “No need to fret. You are family now, and we are allowed a snicker or two behind each other’s backs.”

Ellen and Lydia spent an hour in her rooms chatting until it was close to the time for lunch. Then Ellen escorted Lydia to the sitting room where Mamma, Aunt, and Dr. Winston were gathered for sherry.

“Miss Lydia, how splendid. Come join your aunt and me. We shall be having luncheon soon,” Doctor Winston said.

Lydia went over and sat with them. Ellen went to entertain her mother.

“Doctor Winston, Aunt Lavinia—are the two of you having a pleasant visit?”

Aunt was blushing as Dr. Winston held her hand.

“By Jove, Miss Lydia, it is delightful to be here.” He turned to Lavinia, “and my darling Lavinia and I have been entertaining each other splendidly.”

“Bernard…” Aunt said shyly, as she lowered her eyes and swatted lovingly at his arm.

Lydia looked over and saw the Duchess glowering at them. Lydia surmised the Duchess resented that her aunt was not giving her full attention to Her Grace.

“How long will you be staying in Upton Magna, Doctor?” Lydia asked.

Bernard glanced at Lavinia. “As long as it takes,” he said. “As delightful as she is, your aunt can be stubborn.”

“Oh?”

Lavinia looked up at the Doctor and shook her head to stop him from speaking further. Then she turned to Lydia.

“The good Doctor and I are getting acquainted. Some things cannot be rushed.”

The Doctor nodded in acquiescence.

Edwin came into the sitting room. He had cleaned himself up and was looking particularly handsome. He had even combed and slicked back his hair. Lydia caught her breath and looked away as he cast his eyes at her.

“Mother,” Edwin said. “I have been informed that they are ready to serve luncheon. Shall we retire to the dining room?”

He went over and offered one arm to his mother and the other to Ellen. The Duchess stood and took his arm.

“I hope the champagne is properly chilled. Last time it was only tepid and a great disappointment,” she said, and, head held high, led the way to the dining room.

* * *

Lydia found herself unexpectedly free. All of her aunt’s free time was spent either at Honeyfield or dining with the Doctor at the Inn—often not getting back to the house until well after ten o’clock in the evening.

Lydia looked over Jenny’s shoulder as she grappled with several bolts of fabric.

“Can I help?” she asked.

Jenny looked up at her. “Do you know anything about sewing? I thought I could do this, but now I am not certain I can.”

“You have never done this before?” Lydia, asked incredulously.

Jenny looked up sheepishly. “A dress or two.”

“Do you have a sample of what you want?”

She held up a gown. “This was my cousin’s. I was going to pick it apart and use the pieces for a pattern.”

“And it is the right size? It fits?”

“Somewhat,” Jenny answered.

“Oh, Jenny… Can your mother not help you?”

“She has all her work done at the dressmakers.”

“And why can you not do that too?” Lydia asked.

“She gave me some money to use for the ball, and I am ashamed to say I spent it all on this.” She reached over to her dressing table and picked up a necklace.

“It is very nice,” Lydia said, “But rather reckless, do you not think?”

Jenny nodded and looked up, pleading, “Can you help me?”

Lydia sighed. “Very well, let me see what I can do.” She picked up the cousin’s gown. “Here, try this on first, and let me see how it fits, then we shall go from there.”

They worked on the dress all afternoon. Lydia made adjustments to the old gown then they began to pick it apart.

“Has Doctor Cooke asked you to the ball yet?” Jenny asked, as she pulled a panel free from the old gown.

“No. I haven’t seen him since we had that aborted walk when it rained so hard.”

“Do you think he will ask?”

“I have no idea. We are not to meet again until our walk next Wednesday.”

“He is leaving asking you until very late. Does he think he is the only cock on the walk interested in you? Has Edwin given any indication he might ask you as his companion for the evening?”

Lydia looked at Jenny in surprise. “Oh, no. He would never do that. He is the host, and you can be quite certain he is expected to ask Pamela Stafford.”

“And what about your aunt? Will she be attending?”

“Of course, she will be with Doctor Winston if he is still here, and will, still, no doubt also be attending to Her Grace.”

“Then you will go with them to the ball?”

“No, the day of the ball my aunt will be at Honeyfield all day. She will not be returning home first.”

“Then how will you get there?”

“I have no idea,” Lydia sighed and sat with her hands in her lap.

“Then go with us,” Jenny insisted. “Father has acquired a coach for the evening and there is plenty of room.”

Lydia thought about that. “Perhaps. I don’t see why not. Yes, I shall accept the offer.”