Page 19 of The Lady and the Duke
It was clear that if she wanted anything thatshemight want to read, she must enquire from Jenny if Upton Magna had alibrary.
“I must be off now. Remember, hot water when I return,”Laviniasaid.
“And where shall Iheatit?”
“Next to the bathroom, there is a stove and several pots for heating the water. You will need to start a coal fire in the stove by two o’clock and start heating the water by four. Are there any otherquestions?”
“Not that I can think of right now, Aunt. But I shall make notes as things occur to me during the day.” Lavinia turned to leave. “Just one more thing. I will need money for theshopping.”
“I have an account at the grocers and there are some coins in the bowl on the table by the fireplace in the sitting room for the market.Anythingelse?”
“No,Aunt.”
Lavinia left and Lydia could not help but cry once more. She sat at the dining room table and sobbed. Her back still hurt from praying for an hour on her knees, and she felt that her aunt’s heart wouldnevermelt.
She was still not dressed in her day dress, and she did not know if she would be allowed to take a bath herself. But she decided that she should. If her aunt complained, then she would. But how would she even know unless she counted the pieces of coal? That set Lydia laughing and she felt a littlebetter.
Then she thought that she would go next door and invite Jenny to go to the market with her. Even a small dose of Jenny might alleviate some of the sorrow she felt in hernewhome.
