The Lady And The Duke by Hanna Hamilton

Author:Hanna Hamilton
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Hanna Hamilton
Published: 2017-07-28T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

When she entered the ladies’ room Lydia saw Ellen seated at a dressing table. She went over and pulled up a chair to sit next to her.

“Are you enjoying your birthday celebration?” she asked.

“Most assuredly,” Ellen said, turning to Lydia and smiling.

“And who was that most handsome gentleman I saw dancing with you earlier?” Lydia asked.

Ellen smiled. “Oh, yes. I know who you mean. That is one of Edwin’s dearest friends down from London for the ball. He is to be staying a few days longer, and I mean to torture him for information about London. I am hoping my birthday present from Edwin is permission to go, and a carriage ride to the townhouse.”

“Might the young man also be a reason to stay in London?” Lydia asked.

“He might be,” Ellen said with an enigmatic smile.

“What is his name? He is not one of the Huntley sons, is he?”

“Oh, heavens no. His name is Bartley Evens. And take a guess…”

“Yes?”

“His father is a publisher, and Bartley is himself a poet.”

“Oh, Ellen…”

“Wish me luck. I am to dance the last dance of the evening with him.”

“And you will have a few days to get to know one another better before he returns to London.”

“I shall.”

Ellen got up from the table. “Enjoy the rest of the ball.” She started to leave but turned back. “Are you having a good time?”

“Very much so. It is a lovely celebration for a most worthy young lady.”

Ellen bowed her head and left.

As Lydia was herself, about to leave, Jenny came into the room and, seeing Lydia, cornered her and said, “Tell me your news. It is some delicious scandal?”

Lydia laughed. “Scandal? No. Why would you suspect a scandal?

“It is the night of the ball—a night ripe for intrigue and scandal.”

Lydia laughed. “Jenny, you read too many torrid novels. I am afraid I am going to disappoint you with my news now.”

“But tell me anyway.”

She nodded several times and said, “Very well, I have decided to stay in Upton Magna. I am going to work with Edwin, and he is renting me a worker’s cottage on the estate where I can live. There, that is the news. Not very shocking is it?”

“Oh, Lydia—most shocking. Are you staying because of the Doctor? Or is it because of the Duke?

“Neither. Both. I don’t know. But it feels like the right thing to do. I shall bid a fond farewell to Aunt and I shall be a waif all on my own.”

“Oh, Lydia, you are not alone. You have me, you have the Doctor, Ellen, my family, and you have Edwin. Sounds like a very supportive group of friends to me.”

Lydia nodded in acknowledgement. “Yes, there is much to be grateful for.”

“But I shall miss having you live next door. We can’t just run over at the slightest whim anymore.”

“But that might be a blessing. We both are far too likely to distract ourselves and not get any serious work done.”

“So you will be living on the estate? Is it a nice cottage?”

“I think so.

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