AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Seven
“Ah, it looks as though my hiding spot has been discovered by another,” Lionel said with a smile. He held a book in his hand. “I just came to put back my latest read.”
Lionel stepped into the room placing the book on the shelf. Even though Lydia did not know him well, he seemed to be a kind and gentle soul who liked everyone.
Lydia closed her book. “This is an excellent library.”
“Indeed, curated by the duke’s mother over the years. I do not believe that the duke shares her love of a good story. What did you find?”
She almost blushed, covering the spine of the book with her hand. “Just a novel. Nothing too tiresome. I was just biding time until breakfast.”
“I think they are just laying it out now, perhaps you would like to join me in going upstairs?”
“Yes, please,” she said, tucking the book away on the shelf so that Lionel would not see.
“It will be a rare treat to have everyone gathered for breakfast,” he continued, as they left the library. “With the duke away most days, we usually take trays in our room, individually.”
“What keeps the duke away?” Lydia asked, though she was afraid she already knew the answer.
“He keeps a very busy social calendar,” he said, politely.
“Ah,” she replied, following Lionel up the stairs in silence.
When they entered the breakfast parlor, Ranora was already seated, sipping her tea.
“Look who I found in the library this morning,” Lionel said. “It seems Lady Lydia shares my love of a good story.”
“Would you say you typically enjoy the company of books to people?” Ranora asked, coolly.
“Depends on the book,” Lydia tried to laugh.
“Or the person?” Lionel asked with a twinkle in his eye.
With a smile, Lydia turned to the breakfast buffet in the back of the room laden with a wide selection of breakfast foods, such that Lydia’s stomach rumbled at the sight. She wondered how they could possibly eat that much food.
She was selecting food for her plate when Michael waltzed in, looking bright eyed and excited.
“My dear, I have an excellent day of adventures in store for you,” he said, joining her at the buffet. “Better eat well, we may not be back for dinner later!”
Smiling up at him, she asked, “Pray tell, Your Grace, what is on your agenda?”
“Perhaps it’s a surprise!”
“Oh, don’t tease,” she pleaded, following him to the table. He pulled out a chair for her before sitting himself.
“Well, perhaps not a surprise. But I have several things I’d like to do. However, we may not have time for all of them. I’d like to save you from disappointment if that is the case.”
“Surely we have more than enough days to do everything, if we don’t get to something today.”
“No, no, that is far too logical!” he said, winking at her. He looked up to his uncle. “Are you and Lord Wenton going to make it out for shooting today?”
“He’s quite keen on it,” Lionel said. He unfolded a newspaper in front of him. “I imagined we’d go down to the south end of the woods.”
“And you, Aunt, what have you on your agenda today?”
“I’m calling on Mrs. Grayson, the vicar’s wife,” she replied. “She has been quite ill, as of late.”
“Please send my regards.”
