Lydia nervously awaited the return of her aunt. She sat in the sitting room with her foot up on an ottoman. Her uncle’s cane was by her side. She was reading the novel she had recently borrowed when her aunt returned from Honeyfield.

“Good evening, Aunt Lavinia,” Lydia said, as her aunt stood to stare at her.

“Niece, what has happened to you?”

Lydia explained the fall, Jenny’s assistance, and the visit from Doctor Cooke.

“Miss Jenny is, indeed, a most charming and helpful young woman. That was a good Christian act. Is your foot broken?”

“No. It is just a sprained ankle.”

“Well, that is a blessing.” She studied Lydia as she thought. “And how are you getting about?”

“I found Uncle’s cane in the study. I have been able to manage fairly well with that.” Lydia then brought up the subject she was dreading. “I am sorry I have not been able to finish the dusting in the library. I tried to straighten up a little, but the Doctor has said I must stay off the foot as much as possible, at least for the next few days.”

“So you will be unable to do any of your daily chores?” she asked rather crossly.

“Jenny said she would help me however she could. She can go to the market for me and help with any lifting or tasks here in the house.”

Lavinia took off her bonnet and busied herself with her shawl, then turned back to Lydia.

“So I may not expect any meaningful work from you for a week or so. Is that correct?”

“Yes, I am afraid so, Aunt.”

“Most inconvenient. How is the house to be managed? I imagine you expect me to take over and care for you as well?”

“Certainly not, Aunt. I can care for myself, and with Jenny’s help the rest of the duties should be taken care of.”

“We’ll see. Come, it is time for prayers. But I do not imagine you will be able to kneel, will you?”

“No, Aunt.” Lydia had a brief moment where she thought she might be excused for prayers this evening.

“Then you can sit in a chair. I do not believe the Lord will mind under the circumstances.”

“Yes, Aunt.”

* * *

Over the next several days Lydia was able to coordinate with Jenny so that all the errands and chores were covered. Jenny would stop by first thing in the morning so they could plan out the day. And if there were nothing that needed doing in the morning, Jenny would still come by every few hours just to see if Lydia needed anything.

Lydia, being young and fit, from all her walking in Piddlehinton, began to heal quickly. At the end of the first week, she no longer needed Jenny’s assistance. She was walking carefully, unaided, through the downstairs, and needed the cane only to climb the stairs. Besides being free to do all of her chores unaided, she longed to start taking her regular walks again. She had neglected walking since she arrived in Upton Magna and was determined to find some convenient local paths or trails where she might recommence her daily walking routine.

By the middle of the next week, she felt it was time to visit Dr. Cooke and have him evaluate her progress. Jenny had given her directions to Doctor Cooke’s office and she set out mid-morning and took her time, taking the cane along as an added precaution.

Doctor Cooke’s office was on the ground floor of his house on High Street. He had a waiting room and a consultation room. There were two people waiting to see the Doctor when she entered.

After half an hour, Cooke invited her into the consultation room.

“Miss Fernside, what a pleasure to see you. How is the ankle? Have there been any problems?” he asked, as he offered her a chair.

“Doctor Cooke, I am happy to report that it seems to be almost healed. You asked that I come for an examination, so here I am.”

“Excellent. Let us take a look.”

He knelt down and carefully took her foot in his hands. He felt gingerly with his fingers.

“Is that painful?”

“Not at all.”

“Now, stand for me, please.” She obliged. “And now walk.” She did. “Any pain or soreness?”

“I can feel a tightness in the ankle, although not pain, exactly—but a tenderness.”

“Then you are well on your way to a full recovery.”

“And how soon before I can resume my country walks?”

“I would wait at least a week. Then start modestly. Don’t overdo it. You will be able to determine the length of the walk quite easily by yourself.”

“Thank you, Doctor. I am much obliged. And how much for the visit today?” she asked as she opened her reticule.

“No charge.”

“But Doctor, that is unfair. You make your living from your work.”

“But this is just a follow up on the initial treatment and that was your gratis visit.”

“You are too kind.” Lydia stood to leave.

“Miss Fernside, if I might ask, do you always take your walks alone or do you ever walk with a companion?”

“My sister and I often walked together when I was at home. We lived at the edge of town and there was an abundance of pleasant walks nearby. I have yet to find where I would like to walk in this area.”

“Miss Fernside, I too enjoy walking, and I would be most honored if I might escort you on a walk, at your convenience. I am familiar with a number of quite pleasant walks, both long and short that you might enjoy.”

Lydia smiled. This she had not expected, but it was a pleasant proposition. “That would be most gracious of you, Doctor .”

“Please, if we are to be walking companions, call me Reginald or even Reggie. That is what my friends call me.”

“I shall. And I am fine with you calling me Lydia.”

“Then in a week or so, after your ankle feels strong again, drop me a note here at the office, stating when you would like to meet and I shall oblige—outside of office hours, of course.”

“I look forward to it, Reginald.”

Lydia felt a warm glow as she left the Doctor’s office. Certainly, Reginald was a most attractive man, a fine gentleman, and she was not adverse to his interest in her. But as she walked home, she also thought again about Edwin and his kind and generous nature. Two quite different, but equally attractive men had come into her life since she had settled in Upton Magna.

Of course, Edwin, as attractive as he might be, was in a different league, and unavailable to a woman of her station.

That led her to remember Henry and how grateful she was that he had broken off their engagement. No, the Doctor was attentive and seemed to be attracted to her. She would be content to allow him his suit, although there was no way of knowing if he was sincerely interested in her, or only looking for an agreeable companion.

* * *

Two letters were delivered one morning a few days later, as Lydia was finishing the task of organizing the books in the study. The first letter arrived by post. It was addressed to Aunt Lavinia, and Lydia put it on the entry table for her to see when she returned from Honeyfield. But as she set it down, she recognized the handwriting as being that of Doctor Winston. Lydia smiled. It seems he was following up on his suit to her aunt.

The second letter was hand delivered later that morning and was for her.

Lydia opened the envelope. The letter was from Ellen.

What a pleasant surprise, Lydia thought. But would her aunt allow such frivolity? Surely, she would see riding as taking Lydia away from her chores and duties. But, on the other hand, it was an invitation from a Templeton, and her aunt might see that as an honor and encourage Lydia to accept the offer. She would need to consult with her aunt before she could reply to Ellen’s letter.

But she could not resist, and she dashed over to show the letter to Jenny.

“Good morning, Mrs. Lovell,” Lydia said as she greeted Jenny’s mother who was trimming candles in the kitchen.

“Hello, my dear. You seem to be walking better now. Are you all healed?”

“Thank you, I believe so.”

“Jenny is outside, hanging laundry.”

“Thank you.”

Lydia went out the back door. Jenny was struggling with a large sheet that was being uncooperative in the sprightly breeze.

“Here—let me help you,” Lydia offered.

They wrestled with the sheet and finally corralled it, pinning it down.

“We just about went for a sail,” Jenny said laughing. “And how is the good Doctor?”

Lydia blushed. “I do not know. It has only been a few days since he asked if he could walk with me.”

“I told you he was interested,” Jenny said, as she shook out another sheet and they wrestled with that one as well.”

“I didn’t come here to talk about the Doctor,” Lydia said, a little testily.

“Very well. Then you came to help me hang the laundry.”

Lydia laughed. “No, actually. I came to show you this.” She dug into her pocket and pulled out Ellen’s letter.

Jenny took the letter and read it. “This is very nice. Are you going to take her up on the offer?”

“Most certainly, if my aunt will allow.”

“Why ever would she not?”

“She might well see it a dereliction of duty. And I must still talk to her about taking time out each day for a constitutional walk. She was upset enough during my injury, and now I want to engage in what, I am sure, she will see as frivolous activities.”

“Well, if she objects, send her to me and I will sort her out.”

Lydia laughed. “Jenny, you are simply outrageous.”

“But you already know that,” Jenny said, as she shook out a tea towel to hang on the line.

* * *

Lavinia had a quizzical expression as she came into the sitting room after work, holding the letter from Doctor Winston. It was a thick letter, suggesting it comprised several pages.

“When did this arrive?” she asked Lydia, who was darning one of Lavinia’s stockings.

“This morning.”

Lavinia turned it over and examined it, hesitating to open it straight away, as though she might be apprehensive as to the content of the letter. But open it she did—sitting down in a wingback chair to read it.

Lydia watched from the corner of her eye, as unobtrusively as possible, to see what her aunt’s reaction might be. Lavinia had never displayed much emotion, except for anger and righteous indignation. But now, Lydia saw her aunt’s face softening. And was that the hint of a smile? Lydia had to smile discretely to herself. Knowing that the letter was from Dr. Winston and what his intentions were, it gave her an insight into the letter that her aunt didn’t know she had.

When she was finished reading, Lavinia sat in the chair for some time, the letter resting in her lap. Then she picked it up and read through it again.

“Aunt, it’s time for prayers,” Lydia reminded her.

Lavinia looked up, as though she was in another world, and needed to focus her attention on Lydia before she could respond.

“Prayers? Ah, yes.” She paused for several moments before continuing. “I am not feeling quite myself this evening. I think we shall forego prayers this evening. Go ahead and prepare your supper whenever you wish. I am going to retire to my chambers for the rest of the evening. I have an important letter to write.”

“Shall I bring you some tea and a piece of cake or a biscuit later?” Lydia asked.

Lavinia looked up and actually smiled a full smile. “Yes, that would be lovely.”

She stood up from the chair and walked slowly up the stairs, lost in thought.

Lydia put down the mending and contemplated this new development. It was clear she would not be able to discuss either her walks or her invitation from Ellen this evening. But she must do that soon, as it would be rude not to respond to Ellen’s letter as quickly as possible. Perhaps over breakfast in the morning, she thought.