Willow Hall Romance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Series by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown [Brown, Leenie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books
Published: 2017-08-26T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

That evening, Lydia tried to make herself as small as possible where she sat next to Jane at the foot of the table. Her visit with Aunt Tess and the Dobneys had been so lovely that she did not wish to have the pleasant feelings it had given her flee before they must. And she knew they must eventually be displaced, for there was still a conversation — a dreaded conversation — to be had with her father regarding her future.

Happily, Mr. Bennet had been occupied with Mr. Gardener in a game of chess, and Jane and Elizabeth had been conversing with callers when Lydia had returned to Willow Hall. This arrangement of her family members had meant she could say a quick word of thanks to Marcus and Aunt Tess and then slip away to her room unnoticed. In her room, by herself, she could relive the afternoon in her mind, uninterrupted by sad sighs and disapproving looks.

“You are very quiet this evening,” said Mrs. Abbot, leaning towards Lydia. “Did you enjoy your visit with Mr. Dobney?”

“I did,” Lydia answered and turned back to the pudding that had just been served.

“You have nothing to share of your day?” Mrs. Abbot raised a brow as she asked the question. “I am certain I would not have the strength to keep silent after a visit to such a place. I have been to Aldwood Abbey once for a small dinner just after we arrived at Willow Hall. I was quite struck by its elegance.”

“Oh, to be sure,” agreed Lydia. “The house is well-situated, and the gardens are well-tended.”

“The gardens?” Mrs. Abbot drew in a quick breath. “Oh, I should like to see the gardens. There is nothing quite like a walk through the gardens of a home to get a true feel for the place, you know.” She smiled at Lydia. “A well-designed garden affords so many differing and pleasing views of the house.” She sighed softly. “And then there are the special flowers that are of significance to some member of the family. Gardens speak volumes.”

Lydia could not agree more. Gardens were delightful places, and the one at Aldwood Abbey was perhaps the most delightful she had ever seen — not that she had seen many. “Mr. Dobney asked to sit by his wife’s roses.” Lydia could not help but share that fact. It was the one thing, out of all the beautiful views in the garden, that had captured her attention the most.

She had watched him when she could while she listened to Marcus tell her of little things that had happened in this place or that. He, of course, had caught her looking back. He always seemed to see what she was about.

“He loved her very much, did he not?” she had asked in response to Marcus’s question as to why she kept peering at his father.

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