As promised, the coach arrived promptly at three-thirty. Lydia was more than a little nervous. She had participated in many social functions back home in Dorset, hosted by local families with no one of the peerage, no ministers, and no one of higher rank than her father, the vicar, and the local mayor—who was also a pig farmer. The old Duke Piddlehinton never entertained, and the local magistrate lived two towns over and eschewed social functions.

As she got into the carriage, Lydia was surprised to see Dr. Winston seated inside. He nodded and tipped his hat to her.

“Miss Fernside, what a pleasure to see you again,” he said.

“Oh, Doctor. What a surprise, I did not think you would be picking me up.”

“I could not wait to see you. And I wanted to have a private word with you before we met for tea.”

“Certainly. Have you had a pleasant stay at Honeyfield so far?”

“Most delightful, thank you.”

As the carriage got underway the Doctor fiddled with his hat, not putting it on immediately.

“Miss Fernside, might I ask a delicate question of you?”

“Within reason,” she answered.

“I would like to enquire about your Aunt Lavinia.”

“I don’t know her very well, as we have only just met, but ask your question and I will try to answer as best as I am able.”

“You see, Miss Lydia, I have taken quiet a liking to your aunt, and I was wondering what her status might be? I know, of course, that she is widowed, but does she have any suitors? Or is she not intending to marry again?”

Lydia laughed involuntarily. “Forgive me Doctor —I am not laughing at you. But your question has taken me by surprise.”

Lydia had to consider carefully what she wanted to say. She did not want to offend the Doctor, nor did she want to disparage her aunt. But at the same time, she did not want to paint an untruthful picture of her either.

“Doctor Winston…”

“Oh, please, are we not good enough friends now for you to call me Bernard?”

“Doctor Bernard then,” she said, “And you may call me Miss Lydia if you like.”

“Miss Lydia.”

“I have so recently arrived here in Upton Magna that I cannot answer your questions with any certainty. As far as I know, no one is courting her. And as for her intentions, that I cannot say. Our relationship is rather formal, and she sees me more as a paid companion than as an intimate friend or close relative.”

“But do you think she might be amenable to a suit?”

Again Lydia treaded carefully. “I do think she would hear your suit, but I cannot begin to imagine how she might react to it.”

The Doctor was thoughtful.

“I hope that was helpful, but it’s all I can say having known her so briefly.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

As the carriage approached Honeyfield Hall, Lydia strained to look out the windows to see the full extent of the estate. They were entering through a long alley of trees that arched over the driveway and led to a circle in front of the house with a magnificent fountain. The house itself was three stories tall and constructed in a simple Georgian style of sandstone and marble.

The carriage pulled up in front of the entrance, and in short order, a butler came out to escort them inside. He led the way to a drawing room on the first floor, overlooking a beautiful lake behind the house with a grove of well-spaced oaks and hawthorns. A delightful looking walkway skirted the lake and led into the trees.

The butler left the Doctor and her alone in the room. Lydia stood at the window admiring the view.

“Quite delightful, isn’t it?” Lydia recognized that it was not the Doctor ’s voice and turned to see who was speaking.

A tall, dark man was regarding her. He was neither smiling nor frowning, but seemed to be self-contained and poised in a manner that did not threaten, but instead left her feeling welcomed and comfortable.

“I am Edwin Templeton,” the man said. “Bernard has spoken so highly of you that I feel I know you already. Welcome to Honeyfield Hall.”

“Thank you, your Grace.” Lydia curtsied.

Edwin laughed and his face lit up, dazzling her in a manner she had not expected.

“No, no. Edwin, please. All of that Duke business was my father, and even though I am now the Duke it means nothing to me. It is something I must bear and tolerate rather than rejoice in.”

“And I am Lydia Fernside. I am originally from Piddlehinton in Dorset but I now reside with my Aunt Lavinia Daws. She attends to your mother.”

Edwin nodded and smiled again. “Yes, I know who she is.”

“I am sorry. Of course, you do, but you will need to excuse me. I am just a little bit nervous.”

“Whatever for? There is nothing to be nervous about here. We are just country folks.”

“Oh, your Grace… sorry, I mean Edwin. But you are so much more, with your title and your grand house.”

Edwin waved her comment away and stood studying her. “What do you most enjoy doing in your spare time, might I ask?”

“Working in an orchard and tending to the family vegetable garden. And reading, walking and studying.”

“Most admirable. I, too, am somewhat of an enthusiast of gardening. Actually more broadly horticulture. We must discuss that further at another time. I believe my mother and your aunt are anxiously awaiting us so that tea may be served.”

Edwin led the way, and Lydia followed with the Doctor who had remained silent through the conversation but smiled broadly as they left the sitting room.

Edwin led them down a hallway to the main sitting room. They crossed through the room and exited through a set of double doors to a shaded patio pavilion, “Mother, may I present to you Miss Lydia Fernside, the niece of your companion.”

Mother, the Duchess, was seated at a tea table. She wore a large hat with a veil that she withdrew as Lydia stepped forward. She was heavily powdered and rouged. But even though she was small and wizened, Lydia could feel her commanding presence.

“How do you do?” the Duchess asked, extending her hand to Lydia.

Lydia took the hand that was gloved and soft. “It is a great pleasure to meet Edwin’s mother,” Lydia said.

“You may call me, your Grace,” the Duchess said, without malice, but clearly establishing her status.

“Mother, stop it. You know how I feel about all of this formal title nonsense,” Edwin spoke up.

“It may be nonsense to you, Edwin, but the aristocracy is what constitutes the strength and backbone of this country. Your poor father would be scandalized if he heard you speak such heresy.”

Lydia looked at and nodded to her aunt. “Aunt Lavinia, thank you for allowing me to attend this tea.”

Her aunt nodded.

“Won’t you have a seat?” the Duchess said.

Lydia sat, followed by the Doctor. Edwin continued to stand. His mother waved to a servant standing nearby who then left to fetch the tea.

“Why are you standing, Edwin. Have you no manners?”

“Mother, I am not staying. I have a shipment of young trees arriving shortly and I must attend to them.”

The Duchess waved her hand. “Oh, you and your infernal shrubbery.” The Duchess suddenly had a thought. “And where is Ellen? Is she not attending tea this afternoon?”

“My darling sister is out for a ride. She said she would take tea in her room later after she has a lie down.”

“Oh, this family… what are we coming to? All this modernism is ruining our country. Before long, the king will be racing horses and playing croquet in Hyde Park.”

Edwin addressed Lydia. “You must meet my sister sometime; I feel certain you would enjoy each other’s company. She has aspirations to be a novelist.”

“More nonsense…” the Duchess said, under her breath.

“I look forward to that,” Lydia said, answering Edwin.

“Perhaps you two would enjoy riding together,” he suggested.

“Oh, I don’t ride. We never had a horse, except the one my father used, and he was so old he could barely stand?”

“Which one—the horse or your father?” Edwin joked.

Lydia lowered her eyes and smiled. She was pleased to see that Edwin had a sense of humor. “I believe when they were together they were often seen to be propping each other up,” Lydia responded.

Edwin smiled and gave Lydia an affirmative nod.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Edwin said, and then turned to leave.

“Edwin,” Mother called out.

He turned back. “Yes, Mother?”

“You do remember we are dining with the Staffords this evening, do you not?”

“How can I forget? You have reminded me three times or more already today.”

“Don’t be impertinent. Pamela will be in attendance and I know how much she is looking forward to seeing you again.”

“And I her.”

Edwin turned and strode off before his mother had any more reminders.

The Duchess turned to Lavinia. “Will you do us the honors, please?”

Lavinia began pouring the tea and passing the teacups after she first served the Duchess.

“Do try the lemon cakes. They are dainty and quite delicious,” the Duchess said, before turning to Lydia and asking, “Dorset I believe, is that correct?”

“Yes, your Grace, my father, sisters, and mother…”

But she was interrupted by the Duchess. “Doctor Winston, I have been having this little pain in my back, I was wondering if you might attend me in my chambers after tea and make a quick examination.”

“Your Grace, I must remind you, once again, that I am not a medical doctor but a doctor of philosophy.”

The Duchess waved her gloved hand in the air. “Oh, yes, I remember something like that. What a bother.”

“Your home is very grand and beautiful,” Lydia tried diverting the conversation away from aches and pains.

“Thank you, my dear. It is rather fine, isn’t it? Tattlebrook Court, the residence of the Duke of Grafton is not nearly as elegant. It has only two floors and no ballroom. Can you imagine?”

“Are you acquainted with the Duke of Piddlehinton?” Lydia asked. “He lives just down the road from my family home.

“Old Piddle, as he’s called. Yes, I know him, poor old dear. He has been non compos mentis ever since old Georgie the third lost it completely. It was rumored that the two of them would sit together on the floor of the throne room and play marbles like two six-year-olds.”

“More tea, your Grace?” Lavinia asked.

“Yes, thank you, my dear.”

The Doctor stood up and moved to sit next to Lavinia, leaning in to converse quietly with her, as the Duchess engaged Lydia in further conversation until her attention wandered and her head began to nod.

Lavinia noticed and turned to the Duchess. She stood and put her hand on her shoulder.

“Your Grace, I believe it is time for your nap, don’t you think?”

The Duchess’s head snapped up and she looked around the gathering as if she didn’t know where she was. She focused on Lydia and said, “You must excuse me. I must rest before supper. I tire so easily at my age.”

She stood and Lavinia took her by the arm and led her toward the house.

Lavinia turned to Lydia, as they were retreating and said, “I will see you back at the house in time for prayers.”

Lydia nodded, but she was not sure what to do. Edwin was gone, the Duchess was gone, but there was still the Doctor.

“Doctor Winston, I think we have been abandoned,” she said.

“Would you like to see more of the house before I take you home?” he asked, standing.

“That would be lovely—if it is not an inconvenience.”

“None, whatsoever. As you may have noticed, the Duke is quite casual and welcoming. He won’t mind at all if I show you around.”

Bernard directed Lydia to follow, and they entered the house. He led her to the main entryway which was spacious and opened up into the second story. A large marble staircase ascended from the ground floor and divided left and right leading to the second floor.

“Let me show you the library. There are some very fine paintings which you might enjoy,” Bernard said.

As they were heading toward the library, a young woman appeared from a doorway by the stairs. She was in her riding dress and carried a crop.

“Oh, hello,” she called out. “You must be Miss Fernside.”

Lydia turned to the young woman. “Yes, I am. Are you the sister?”

“Yes, I am. Ellen. It’s a pleasure to meet you. The Doctor has spoken so highly of you. And just now my brother said how lovely you were.”

Lydia blushed and felt a flutter in her stomach. “I’m sure he was just being gracious.”

“Not at all. He was effusive but sincere. I know my darling brother better than myself, and he is not one to offer false flattery.”

“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, but please don’t let us keep you from your tea. You must be parched after your ride.”

Ellen smiled broadly. “I hope we shall meet again.”

“I shall like that very much,” Lydia said.

She watched as Ellen turned and ascended the stairway. Ellen was of medium height. She had beautiful, lush blonde hair, a trim figure, and a still girlish face, with bright eyes that twinkled when she smiled.

Lydia turned to the Doctor. “How charming she is.”

“And very bright and clever as well.” He held out his hand to point the way, “Shall we move on?”

“Yes, please.”

Lydia marveled at the many splendors of the wonderful house. There were countless treasures and fine furnishings. The house was kept in immaculate condition and even though it was large, it felt warm and welcoming. Large windows admitted bright light and fresh air, and Lydia thought how lovely it would be to live in such a fine home.

After much exploring, Lydia could see that the Doctor was becoming tired and she said, “Oh, I feel quite fatigued. I am ready to return home any time now.”

“I shall call for the coach,” Bernard said.

“There is no need for you to accompany me. I am quite comfortable traveling back on my own.”

It looked as though the Doctor was relieved.

“It is no trouble. I am happy to escort you.”

“Thank you, dear friend, but it is not necessary. I shall use the brief time to contemplate the lovely afternoon.”

“As you wish. Then allow me to arrange for the carriage. But first I must say my good-byes to you. I shall be leaving tomorrow and it is unlikely I shall see you again before I depart.”

“I hope this is not the end of our friendship,” Lydia added.

“That is my hope as well. And there is a good possibility it will not be the end. I have every intention of corresponding with Mrs. Daws, and if circumstances develop as I hope they might, then we shall certainly meet again.”

Bernard disappeared and Lydia was left alone in the entryway. No one was about, so she exited the house and stood to wait on the steps for the coach.

As she looked around the fine property she saw Edwin in the distance working with several men unloading trees from a wagon. She never expected to see a duke doing manual labor. He was a most surprising man. And she had to admit to herself, very attractive as well.

But she had to sigh as she realized that the distance between their stations was so far apart as to be insurmountable.

As she was watching Edwin work, he looked up, and seeing her, waved. She waved back, and much to her surprise he started walking toward her.

She suddenly became embarrassed. She did not want to distract him from his work, and didn’t feel it necessary for him to come and bid her good-bye.

“Off so soon?” Edwin asked as he approached. He wiped his dirty hands together to knock off the soil from the trees.

“Oh, your Grace, I must. Your mother became tired and left for a nap. That left only the Doctor and me, and he graciously showed me around Honeyfield.”

“Come now, Miss Lydia, what did I tell you about calling me Edwin?”

“Yes. Edwin, it shall be.”

“Did you enjoy your tour of the house?”

“I did. It is such a lovely home. Oh, and I had the pleasure of meeting Ellen. How sweet she is.”

“I thought you two might get on.”

Just then the carriage drove up and the footman jumped down and opened the door.

“Thank you, Edwin, for your hospitality. It has been a genuine pleasure.”

“And I hope we will meet again soon. I would love to hear more about your interest in gardening,” he said, taking her hand and helping her into the carriage. The footman then closed the door.

“Good-bye,” she said and waved, as the carriage started up and rounded the fountain before disappearing down the drive.

As she rode home, Lydia was still flush with excitement. She wasn’t at all tired but was energized by the splendid afternoon. And she couldn’t stop thinking about Edwin. It was an impossible situation, but he didn’t make it seem so.