Both Lydia and Agnes decided to take dinner trays in their rooms. Neither of them wanted to converse with her father, especially since he’d been so angry earlier in the day. After eating her dinner and reading for awhile, she decided to retire early. Her aunt was right—it had been a very eventful day.
As she lay under the covers, her mind was a whirlwind. In three weeks, she would never have to part from the man she loved again. She fell asleep reliving his glorious kisses.
The next morning, the light was barely filtering into her bedchamber when she awoke. She stretched her long, lean legs and thought about everything that had occurred in the last twenty-four hours. Was yesterday merely a dream and now that she was awake, would she find that her was still the same—a life without the man she loved?
Her bedchamber door opened, and Ellie stepped inside. “Oh, miss, I didn’t expect you to be awake so early. I was coming to lay the fire.”
“Good morning, Ellie. I have something to tell you.”
“You do?”
Lydia nodded. “Two things, actually. Lord Hutchinson has proposed, and I’ve accepted.”
“Such happy news! I’m so very pleased you’ll be able to marry Lord Hutchinson. He’s such an honorable gentleman.”
A wide smile broke out on Lydia’s face. “Yes, he is indeed.”
“You said two things? What else do you wish to tell me?”
“It’s actually a question. Would you like to come with me as my lady’s maid when I marry?”
Ellie’s hand flew to her chest. “Oh, Miss Weston. I’d love to. Thank you for giving me such an honor.”
“Of course I want you to come with me. What would I do without you? The first of the banns will be announced this Sunday, so we’ll be moving to Hutchinson House in three weeks.”
“Not to worry, miss. I shall take care of all your packing. “
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Are you ready for your bath, or would you like to rest for a while longer?”
“I’ll bathe now. I’m meeting with Lady Evans later this morning.”
“Which would you like to wear, the pink or yellow muslin?”
“I think yellow. I’m feeling particularly sunny today,” Lydia said.
Ellie chuckled as she stirred the embers in the fireplace back into life. “Would you like tea and toast while you wait for the bath to be prepared?”
“Yes. That would be lovely.”
Ellie nodded and left to arrange for the water to be heated. She was back within a few minutes with a steaming cup of tea and a couple slices of toast. “Enjoy. I’ll call you when the bath is ready.”
“Thank you, Ellie.”
After soaking in the bath and getting dressed, Lydia went to see her aunt
“Come,” Agnes said in response to the knock.
“Good morning, Aunt Agnes. How are you this fine day?”
Agnes chuckled at Lydia’s good cheer. “I’m quite well, my dear, as you seem to be.”
“Iamwell, thank you. It’s a delightful morning. I’ll be visiting Lady Evans later this morning to tell her all my wonderful news.”
“I’m sure she’ll be thrilled for you.”
“Would you like to come with me?”
