“Of course. Please do come in. You’re expected,” the butler said, opening the door wider to allow them inside. “Follow me.”
He led them to the upstairs parlor and announced, “Mrs. Kennedy and Miss Weston.”
Lydia’s heart was pounding as they walked toward their hosts. Lord Surry stood and greeted them. “Ladies, welcome to our home. We’re so pleased to see you.”
Lydia and Agnes curtseyed. “We’re pleased to be here, my lord,” Lydia said. She looked over her grandfather’s shoulder to see a petite woman with gray streaks in her dark hair sitting on the sofa. This was the moment of truth. Would her grandmother accept her?
Her stomach was in turmoil as she waited.
Chapter 15
Lady Surry stood. Time seemedto stand still as she looked at the young woman standing in her parlor. Miss Weston looked so much like her daughter that her breath caught and tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh, my dear girl. You’re the image of your mother,” she said.
“Lady Surry, I’m so happy to meet you,” Miss Weston said with a curtsey.
“I could hardly believe it when we received Mrs. Kennedy’s letter. It was like a gift from the heavens. To have a small piece of my Joanna with me is something I thought would never happen. You cannot know how much you mean to me,” Gretchen said, walking to Miss Weston, pulling her into her arms, and hugging her tight.
“Lady Surry…”
Gretchen stepped back. “No need for all this formal lord and lady business. You’re our granddaughter, and we’d love it if you would call us grandfather and grandmother. If that seems too soon, perhaps you’d feel more comfortable calling us Albert and Gretchen.”
It was Lydia’s turn to shed happy tears. “I would be delighted to call you grandfather and grandmother. Please call me Lydia.”
“Where are my manners? Please come sit and tell me all about yourself,” Gretchen said.
Lydia took a seat next to her grandmother on the sofa while Agnes sat in the chair beside her grandfather. She gave a brief history of her life. There would be time later to go into detail if her grandmother wanted to know more.
A few moments later, the maid wheeled in a tea cart. “Shall I pour, Lady Surry?”
Gretchen shook her head. “No, you may go.”
The maid curtseyed and exited the room.
“Lydia, would you pour out?” Gretchen asked.
“I would be delighted,” Lydia said, preparing cups for everyone before taking her seat. “Will you tell me about my mother?”
“I would be delighted. My darling Joanna was such a spirited child. Nothing could ever slow her down. She was curious about everything. People loved her wherever she went. There was something so special about her. She was like a ray of sunshine. What are your hobbies, my dear?”
“I love to read. Travel diaries are my passion at the moment, and I hope to travel one day. There’s so much to see in the world.”
“Has your father seen to your education, my dear?” Albert asked.
Lydia nodded. “He has, Grandfather, and of course, my aunt has been instrumental in guiding me throughout my life.”
Albert smiled at Agnes. “Well done, Mrs. Kennedy.”
“Thank you, my lord. It was such a pleasure watching Lydia grow up.”
“Something we never got to witness,” he said with a frown.
“Albert, dear, let’s not focus on the past. We have our granddaughter here now, and we should focus on that,” Gretchen said.
“Of course. You’re right, my dear,” he said, nodding. “Lydia, do you ride?”
“A little, and not very well, I’m afraid. Papa didn’t see the need for me to learn,” Lydia said.
“Well, we can remedy that. I have a stable full of mares that you may choose from,” Albert said. “You’re welcome to come here any day you like, and we’ll go riding in Hyde Park.”
