Robert could not help but laugh out loud .
Diana was not pleased with that and she sputtered as she tried to lift herself into the boat, nearly tipping it over and sending Robert into the drink as well .
“Stop. Let me help you or you will send us both floating out to sea .”
He took her by both arms and lifted her high enough so that he could grab her by the waist and place her safely in the punt .
“My hat,” she explained, as she turned to see it floating down river .
Again, Robert could not help but laugh. “I will buy you a new one. In fact, I shall buy you a whole new outfit, as I am sure your dress is ruined as well .”
Finally, after recovering from the shock of falling in, Diana began to laugh. “This only tops off my rather bizarre last few days .”
“We are not far from the house now, and I shall get you inside and dried off before you know it. I think my sister keeps some dresses at the house and we will see if we can find you something to wear until we can get you back home .”
“This has certainly been a memorable outing. I am so glad we left before it began to rain. Just think what might have happened if it had .”
That set them both laughing .
And within the next hour Diana had dried off, Robert had lit a fire, and Diana, wrapped in a dressing gown with her legs curled under her, seated on a comfortable chair by the fire sipping tea. Amelia’s dresses had not fit Diana so they had her dress drying by the fire .
“This is a lovely little house,” she said looking around the parlor .
“It is a nice place to get away to. I sometimes come here to write when the pressures at home get to be too much .”
“It is difficult for me to imagine that you have too many pressures as an Earl .”
“You have no idea. Property and money bring a whole set of their own problems. I sometimes think about what it must be like to live the simple life of say… an academic like your father. The life of the contemplative appeals to me greatly .”
Diana laughed. “Until your leasehold runs out and you are forced to scramble to keep your home .”
“That has happened to you?” Robert asked with concern .
“It has. But, thankfully, it has also been remedied .”
“I am glad to hear that. The threat of losing one’s home is certainly tragic .”
Robert could see Diana had become lost in thought as she gazed into the fire and finished her tea. Then she looked up and their eyes met. Her gaze almost took his breath away. Seated by the fire, her face and hair bathed by the warm light of the fire, Robert felt overcome with passion and concern for this lovely lady. He could not help but admire her beauty and tenderness, but he was also filled with compassion for what he knew were her and her family’s struggles .
Still holding their gaze, she smiled sweetly and he yearned to reach out and take her lovely hand. But he knew it was an impossible situation. She was engaged and they had an important business relationship that must not be damaged by rash behavior. Not to mention what his sister might say if she knew he was courting a woman as common as she perceived Diana to be .
Finally, he turned away from looking at her and picked up the teapot .
“May I offer you more tea?” he asked to cover his confusion .
“Thank you, no. I really should be getting back home. I have ever so many daily chores to finish after being whisked away to a delightful picnic and an almost tragic drowning .”
“Yes, I shall refrain from suggesting nautical adventures in the future,” he said, determined to regain his gentlemanly composure .
* * *
R obert was insistent on fitting her out with a new outfit before they returned back to her house. It was late afternoon by the time Robert drove the cart up to the front gate .
“I shall get you the copies of my books, as I promised,” she said as she hopped down from the cart .
He jumped down and followed her inside, carrying the boxes of her new clothes .
Diana was still dressed in her old soiled, but now dry, clothes as she went into the house .
“Diana?” a voice called out from the front room .
“Oh, Adam…” she cried out as she burst into the sitting-room, Robert following behind her. “I totally forgot you were coming by this afternoon .”
Adam stood up, scowling, from the chair where he had been waiting .
“What happened to you?” he exclaimed with concern. “You look terrible .”
Diana looked down at her dress and she started laughing. “Oh, I fell into the Cam.” She turned to Robert. “We were having a picnic and, as we were punting back, my hat fell into the river and I tried to catch it, but… as you can see, I lost my balance and plunged into the river .”
“Diana…” Adam responded crossly .
“It was really quite funny .”
“I guess you had to have been there,” he replied with definite anger in his voice. “I could have lost you .”
“I hardly think so,” Diana said amused. “The Cam is very shallow and I could easily have walked to the shore .”
Robert stepped forward and offered his hand. “You must be Diana’s fiancé… I am Robert Donnelly,” Robert introduced himself .
Adam took his hand and shook. “Adam Hardy,” he replied curtly .
Diana turned to Robert briefly. “Oh, I am sorry for not introducing you.” Then she turned back. “Yes, Adam, the Earl and I were going over the outline of the book he will be publishing under my name…” Then she suddenly looked distressed and she turned to Robert. “Oh, that is supposed to be a secret, is it not ?”
Although Robert was a little disturbed by the revelation, he kindly said, “That is quite all right. As your fiancé, he should know the situation and the agreement between us .”
Diana seemed flustered as she turned first to Adam and then to Robert. “I am so sorry, there seems to be a lot of confusion right now. Let me sort this out.” She turned to Robert. “Let me get you the books, then you are free to be on your way .”
“Let us do that another time. There is no rush. You have much more pressing business with Adam. And I shall just let myself out .”
“And thank you for the new outfit,” she added .
Robert put the boxes on a nearby table, nodded to Adam, and then to Diana, and left .
Chapter 12
A fter Robert left, Diana taking a deep breath, went over and took hold of Adam’s hands .
“Please, please, please forgive me, Adam. There has been such a lot of chaos and disruption these past few days. But I am here alone with you now and you have my full attention,” she said as she led him to the facing chairs by the fireplace and they sat down .
“Can I get you anything?” she asked firstly .
Adam shook his head. “But I still do not understand what you were doing this afternoon. I thought it was so important that you have time for your writing. Why were you on a picnic with… that man ?”
Diana could see Adam was angry, frustrated, and confused. She lowered her head to clear her thoughts and looked up and fully explained about the publishing arrangement with Sir Cecil and Robert .
“I am sorry I did not tell you everything in detail about my business arrangement with the Earl before, but it was supposed to be a secret. It cannot be known that the Earl is publishing a novel. But now you know the whole story—as you should .”
“But that still does not explain why you were on a picnic if it was supposed to be a business meeting,” Adam said with a pout and more than a hint of jealously .
“It just happened. Robert thought it would be a nice and relaxed way to discuss the book. That is all .”
“And what about after you fell into the river? How did you get dried out and get new clothes ?”
Diana explained about drying out at Robert’s house on the river .
“That does not seem to be at all proper .”
“What else could I do? It was too far to
come home to change. I could have caught a cold as I was dripping wet .”
“Still…”
Diana felt he was being unfair. “Adam, do you not trust me? Do you for one minute think I would misbehave ?”
Adam looked chastened. “Well, no …”
“Then, I assure you everything was innocent and above board .”
Adam turned and pointed to the clothing boxes Robert had brought in. “And those. Are they gifts ?”
“No, Adam, they are replacement clothes for what was ruined in the river .”
“And you paid for them ?”
“No, Robert did. He felt it was his responsibility .”
“Hmm.”
Diana leaned back in her chair and slapped her hands on her knees. “Oh, Adam, if you are going to be like this …”
Adam lowered his eyes. “I think I understand. Yes, I forgive you .”
Diana was suddenly not all that certain she wanted his forgiveness. What right did he have to question her actions? But he was her fiancé and she decided that he did have legitimate concerns .
“Adam, can we start anew? Can we focus on why you came to see me this afternoon? You want to know if I still want to marry you, is that not so ?”
“Yes. And now I am afraid of what you might say .”
“Then let me immediately put your mind at ease. Yes, I do want to marry you and be your wife .”
Adam let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, I am happy to hear that. And I promise to respect your need for alone time to write .”
“And I will be a dutiful wife and companion,” she added .
“And what about the honeymoon? Have you given that any thought ?”
“Greece or Italy will be just fine—as long as it is not too long. I am going to have a very busy schedule once the Earl’s book is published .”
“And why is that ?”
“I need to be present for book signings, publicity tours, literary salons, and whatever it takes to help sell the book—plus keeping up with my own writing as well .”
“I love you, Diana,” Adam said, leaning across and taking both of her hands. “I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy .”
“As do I,” Diana said, without consciously saying I love you back .
“Then I shall go to London later this week and make the final arrangements for the loan to your father. Does that make you happy ?”
“Yes, Adam, and thank you .”
* * *
T he next morning, as she sat down to her little desk to write, she took stock of what had transpired the last few days and she marveled that she had somehow survived—but she had. However, she still had one important task to accomplish before she could, with good consciousness, return to her writing. She must make amends to the Goodwin sisters .
She left her desk and went to visit her mother in the gallery .
“Hello dear, is it morning tea time already?” Mother asked as Diana came in the door .
“Not yet Mother, but I have something I need to discuss with you .”
“Very well,” she said as she put down her paint brush and turned to Diana .
Diana explained about her inexcusable insult to the Goodwin sisters .
“Oh, Diana, that does not sound like you at all. How could you say such terrible things to those dear, sweet sisters ?”
“I was very upset. It has been a difficult time. And that is why I come to you this morning. I wish to make amends and I noticed that you have a soup pot simmering on the stove. Might I take some over to the sisters?—if the soup is ready, that is .”
“I believe it will be shortly. Yes. Feel free to take them some, and make sure you behave contritely .”
“I certainly shall, Mother .”
“I still cannot believe you said those things, we did not raise you to be so rude and insolent,” Mother said as she returned to her painting .
“Yes, Mother, I realize, and I will apologize .”
* * *
“O h, it is you,” Kitty said as she opened the door to their cottage .
“I come begging forgiveness for my rude and miserable behavior to you both the other day,” Diana pleaded .
“Who is it?” Abigail called from inside .
Kitty turned away and called back, “It is Miss Diana .”
“Has she come to scold us again ?”
“No, dear, she wants to apologize .”
“I certainly hope so,” Abigail said as she came to the door and stood next to Kitty .
“I brought you some of Mother’s delicious soup. And I pray that you will forgive my terrible behavior. I was very upset when you called on me the other day .”
The two sisters looked at each other and nodded. “Come in, then,” Kitty offered .
Diana carried the pot to the kitchen .
“Your mother makes delicious soup. Thank her for us, will you ?”
“Thank you, Kitty, I shall .”
After placing the soup on the stove, Diana turned to the sisters, folded her hands before her, and asked, “Now, I do have the time to hear your nephew’s letter—if you still wish to read it to me .”
The two sisters looked at each other again and then Abigale said, “Very well. If you are certain it will not be boring to hear news from our moronic nephew .”
Diana shook her heard. “What an idiotic thing to say. You must please forgive me .”
“Very well. If you will come with us we have the letter in the parlor. And I do believe you will be amazed and pleased with some of the surprising things he has to say .”
“I look forward to being surprised,” Diana said with just the slightest amount of irony .
After Diana was seated, Kitty took the letter from the mantelpiece and opening it began to read .
Dearest Aunts Kitty and Abigale ,
I have the most exciting news. We are to get a new roof on the house !
Kitty put the letter down and savored the astounding news once again. “You see,” she said to Diana, “I told you it would be surprising.” Then she continued .
As you might remember from my previous letters, the family has been suffering from numerous leaks for the past few months but we have been unable to pull together the funds for the repairs. But now—wonders of wonders—I received a most welcome bonus from the bank and, of course, my first thought was to tackle the task of repairing the roof. Is that not a blessing in disguise ?...
* * *
D iana had endured the reading of the long letter with great patience. But it appeared to be worth it, as she left the Goodwin sisters in good spirits and filled with gratitude to her for having let them read the entire letter, including all their side comments of admiration for their beloved nephew. Although, she suspected they might have been punishing her by prolonging the reading as long as possible .
But now she was finally home and back at her desk, and it was time to continue her sample chapter for Sir Cecil .
“Tommy,” the sister asked her brother, “do you think Mother will have the day off on Christmas ?”
“I believe the mill closes on Christmas… at least it did last year .”
“Now that we have given our presents to Grandma we need to find just the perfect gift for Mother—and maybe a Christmas tree. Do you have any ideas?” the sister, Doris, asked .
Tommy thought about that. “Maybe I could find a few days of work at the butcher’s. He once asked if I could help him carry some carcasses into the shop .”
“But Tommy, you are so small, how could you lift a heavy carcass? You might hurt yourself .”
“He might have other tasks. It cannot hurt to ask. Maybe if I work really hard he might give me a chicken instead of paying me .”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea. You do that and I will see if I can find us a tree,” Doris said, suddenly believing they might yet have a real Christmas .
There was a knock at her bedroom door .
“Yes?” She called out .
Father stuck h
is head in .
“So sorry to disturb you, but you never came by yesterday to read my chapter .”
Diana sighed. “No, and I am sorry, Father. But you might remember I had a rather troubling afternoon, after falling in the river and needing to dry out and clean myself up .”
Father laughed. “Oh, yes. But what sort of Cambridgian are you if you do not know your way around a punt? You put us all to shame .”
“Father, I know you jest. But I am just in the middle of writing something. Could we do this later ?”
“I am afraid I have a lecture this afternoon. If you could just take a quick look at it now, I would be so grateful .”
“Oh, very well. Do you have it with you ?”
“The chapter is in my study. If you would just…” He seemed flustered. “I am sorry to disturb you, I truly am, but I need to get this to the publisher by tomorrow. And I understand you know about publishing deadlines, do you not ?”
“I certainly do .”
She rose from her desk and followed her father down the hallway to his study .
“Have you contacted our solicitors about the loan yet?” she asked as she settled into a chair to read the chapter .
“Oh, am I supposed to do that? I forgot. Might you be able to do that for me, my dear? I have such a lot to do to finish my book. I know you will not mind .”
Diana clinched her teeth but did not explode. “If that will help you, Father, then I shall be happy to help. However, it is getting a little late. We do not want to miss our deadline, and I know you must get some paperwork together to present to the bank when we purchase the new leasehold. And you are the only one who can collect those papers, as the leasehold is in your name .”
“Ah, that is a good point. Remind me a little closer to the deadline, will you, dear ?”
Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke_A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 10