She took a few steps forward and said, “How long will you be in London? I assume you will be staying at the house .”
“I will .”
“Then I should like to come along. I was never able to finish my shopping after you so rudely yanked me from London for the Queen’s visit .”
Robert found he had no fight in him regarding his sister. “Very well, you may come along. But remember I am traveling with Miss Diana, and I know you two do not get along very well .”
“I shall take an earlier train.” She turned as though to leave but added, “The Viscount will be accompanying me, although he shall be residing at his Belgrave Square house. He finds he’s discovered a whole new appreciation of literature and plans to accompany me to the launch of your book .”
“But he does not know I am the author, does he?” Robert asked with some apprehension .
“I simply told him you are the patron of a local author whom you admire, and that you are attending the book launch of her new novel .”
Robert nodded. “That better be the case. You know how angry I would be if there was any revelation about me being the author .”
“Of course, I do,” she said, giving him her forced smile. “And you have absolutely nothing to worry about .”
* * *
R obert was all gracious smiles as his footman brought out Diana’s luggage from the cottage. Both her mother and father were standing at the doorway giving their good-byes to her before she turned and approached the carriage .
“Good morning, Robert,” she greeted as he assisted her into the carriage .
After the luggage was stowed, the carriage headed toward the railway station .
Robert thought Diana seemed a little nervous or apprehensive. They had not seen each other since the kiss and there was an awkwardness about their first interactions .
Robert was the first to speak and he wanted to put Diana at ease if he could. “How are your dear parents ?”
Diana looked up after gazing down at her gloved hands folded in her lap. “Ah, both are fine, thank you. There were no repercussions from Mother’s summer cold .”
“I am so happy to hear that. And those spunky twins? Still basking in their Queen’s garter honor ?”
“I have not seen too much of them these past few months. Geoffrey has actually been able to hold down a job for more than a week. And Miriam is studying philosophy at the new women’s college at the university .”
Robert chuckled, “She’s at Newnham ’s. How spunky of her. And philosophy? Now there is a stretch ?”
Diana laughed. “Why not? Who better to shake up the foundations of philosophy than Miriam ?”
That interchange seemed to relax them both .
“And Geoffrey, what career has he finally settled into ?”
Diana tilted her head. “Settled into? I am not too certain about that. However, he seems to be holding his own as a teacher of youngsters .”
That set Robert laughing again. “Now that seems just perfect. I cannot think of a more suitable Pied Piper, can you? I can just see him teaching children from the viewpoint of a child. I predict he will be very successful .”
“I quite agree .”
Having come to the end of that segment of conversation, they stared out the windows until they arrived at the station .
Luggage was transferred from the carriage to the station platform and the footman waited with them until the London train arrived and their luggage was loaded into the luggage compartment of the train .
Robert found their first-class compartment and they boarded .
After the train got underway they were both lost in their own thoughts until Robert said, hesitantly, “Diana, I hope you have forgiven me for my inappropriate kiss .”
Diana looked up at him. “Of course, Robert. And I must admit I was partially to blame, as well .”
This shocked Robert, as he had no idea that she might have responded positively to the kiss. Even with all his new resolve to not be affected by Diana, what she had just said, again enflamed his passion, over which he seemed to have no control. He could not speak immediately. He rested his head against the seat back and took several deep breaths to calm himself. His mind was swirling with new thoughts about the possibility of having Diana in his life once again .
Then she said, “However, my slipup has led me to strengthen, even more, my commitment to marry Adam .”
This statement sent Robert back into despair and abolished his new and fragile hopes for a romance with her. Robert turned away and stared out the window at the passing landscape .
Diana opened her traveling bag and took out a book which she proceeded to read for the rest of the trip to London .
Robert got up from his seat without a word and left the compartment and headed to the dining car where there was a bar and he had two cognacs in quick succession. He leaned against the bar and began to calm down. Once again, he had been led astray by his feelings for Diana. He strengthened his resolve before heading back to their compartment .
“We will be approaching London shortly,” he said, as he examined the few hand bags they had carried into the compartment when they boarded .
“Might I drop you off at where you will be staying?” he asked without looking at her. “My London carriage will be waiting when we arrive and it will be much easier to have my footmen care for the luggage .”
“If it is not too much trouble. I do not want to take you out of your way .”
“It will be my pleasure. And we can make arrangements to meet tomorrow at Sir Cecil’s office before the book launch .”
Diana looked at him. “You must be very excited,” she said with her sincerely sweet smile. “I remember my first book launch. I was in such a fit. I was both so nervous and so excited .”
“I have to admit, I am somewhat excited but much more apprehensive,” he said as he opened the compartment door and offered his hand to lead Diana out of the compartment .
“Ah, but you will not be the one who is the focus of attention. It will be me,” she reminded him .
Robert chuckled. “Indeed it shall. And how grateful I am for your assistance in the launch of my book.” Robert looked around the train platform and saw his London footman with a trolley accepting their luggage from the baggage compartment. Robert waved at the man. “There is our luggage. Let us follow him to the carriage .”
For the next few minutes, all attention was focused on getting to the carriage, loading it, and preparing to leave the station .
As the carriage started toward Adam’s parents’ house where she would be staying, Diana said, “Then I expect we shall meet tomorrow morning with Sir Cecil before the launch .”
“Yes. I can pick you up if you wish .”
“No thank you. Adam will be accompanying me to the publishing house and he plans to stay for the launch .”
“I see,” Robert said solemnly .
The carriage moved haltingly through London’s congested streets. Robert had nearly resigned himself to the fact that Diana would be marrying Adam. He gazed at her as they neared their destination, but she was absorbed with the sights of London and was paying no attention to him until they pulled up in front of the house where she was staying. Then she turned to him .
“Thank you for the ride, Robert. It was most gallant of you .”
“Not at all, Miss Diana. The footman will take your luggage to the door and we shall wait until you are inside .”
“Then we will meet again tomorrow at the publishers .”
“We shall.” Robert tipped his hat and the footman opened the carriage door and assisted her to the sidewalk .
Chapter 24
A t first, Diana could not get used to the London noise from her room at the front of the Hardy house. It seemed to go on continually—both day and night—although at bedtime, while there were still sounds of passing carriages, the noise did seem to lessen somewhat .
“Mrs. Hardy, it is so welcoming of you to let me
stay with you during my book launch,” Diana said at the breakfast table the next morning. Adam’s father had gone to work. Adam was not up yet so it was just the two of them .
“Oh, please, call me Jane or Mother. You are practically my daughter-in-law now,” she said with a giggle. “And Adam is just delighted to have you here. All he talks about is the wedding this, and the wedding that. And how he does go on about the honeymoon. You would think he was planning to launch a military campaign with all his maps, and schedules, and paperwork .”
“Yes, he does tend to be thorough when it comes to pre-planning, does he not ?”
Jane Hardy was a petite lady who had aged well but was pushing the limits by trying to look even younger still. She had rather small eyes and seemed to compensate by keeping them wide open, giving her a somewhat startled look. She wore her hair in ringlets tied with ribbons—part of her effort to look younger, and, unfortunately, when she turned her head they flopped around her face like large dog’s ears .
Just then Adam appeared in the dining room .
“Good morning, Mother… Diana. Did you sleep well?” he asked addressing Diana .
“Fairly well. I am not accustomed to the sounds of London just yet .”
“Yes, unfortunately, our only available bedroom faced the street. So sorry about that .”
“I am fine .”
“Are you nervous about the book launch?” he asked, as he served himself breakfast from the sideboard and the maid brought him a newly poured cup of tea .
“Somewhat, but, of course…” she stopped herself realizing she was speaking in front of Adam’s mother who did not know of her arrangement with Robert. “Of course, I have done this before,” she corrected herself .
Jane rose from the table. “You two lovebirds must excuse me. I have a dozen errands to run before lunchtime.” She turned her attention to Diana. “And all the very best of luck with your book launch .”
“Thank you,” she replied .
Alone with Adam, Diana felt a little nervous now that the actual time to leave for the publishers was approaching. “Oh Adam, am I doing the right thing with this book ?”
Adam looked at her with a frown of concern. “How is it for me to say? You made this arrangement before we were engaged. I cannot say it is something of which I approve. But it is done and we must live with the consequences .”
Diana looked at him, and asked, “You really believe that? You think it is a folly ?”
“I do. And I think that the Earl of Donnelly is taking advantage of you, if you want to know the truth .”
“Adam, I am sorry you feel that way. However, I believe I am doing the right thing, helping him. He is an honorable man in a difficult situation and I am happy to help. And besides, the share of the royalties I will be getting is certainly going to help facilitate us getting our own residence here in London .”
Adam did not respond but seemed to be troubled, then he looked up and said, “I never told you, but I did not go to the fete because of my dissertation, but because I did not want to see you prancing around with the Earl .”
She was shocked. “Prancing around? Adam. What a thing to say. How unlike you. How mistrusting of me .”
She stood up and threw her napkin on the table .
Adam looked up at her with a look of shame. “I am sorry. But that is how I felt at the time .”
“You lied to me .”
“I did not think you would understand if I told you the truth .”
Diana was hurt and didn’t know how to respond. “Can we talk about this another time, please? I must get myself ready for my meeting with Sir Cecil and Robert. Are you still coming with me, or have you decided that you do not want to see me prancing around again ?”
Adam hung his head. “I am sorry for that remark. Forgive me. Of course, I am coming with you. I want to support you in whatever you decide to do. However, I must meet you at the event as I have an unexpected errand I promised Father I would do first .”
“Very well, thank you .”
* * *
T he book launch was to be held in the lobby of the publishing house, and as Diana walked through, she could see the preparations being made for the ceremony. Chairs were being brought out and placed in rows in front of a lectern which was already in place. And at the far side, a table was being prepared for wine service .
Sir Cecil was conferring with a colleague and he came over to greet her as she approached .
“How lovely you look,” he said taking her hand. “Are you nervous ?”
“Somewhat. Not so much because of the crowd, or the event, but because I might blurt out the wrong thing and compromise Robert’s anonymity .”
“I am sure you will be fine,” Sir Cecil said patting her arm .
Robert was already in Sir Cecil’s office as they entered .
Robert nodded to Diana. “Good morning .”
Diana nodded back and was unexpectedly thrilled to see him. He looked so handsome, dressed up formally as he was in his navy-blue frock coat, starched white collar and teal green cravat. Her heart raced and she found it difficult to take her eyes off of him. Their eyes met and locked, but mercifully he was the first to look away .
Sir Cecil said, “Before you arrived, Robert and I were going over the schedule for the event. I am to speak first. Talk about the book and make note of some of the good early reviews the book has already received, and then I shall introduce you, Diana, as the author. Have you prepared what you wish to say ?”
“Yes, I have. I will introduce a brief description of the book and talk about why I have changed direction with my writing at this time. Talk about the restrictions of genre writing and say how I have longed to experiment with new directions and new voices .”
“Excellent. I think we should keep the formal part of the presentation brief and allow more time for fans and reviewers to meet with you privately to ask questions. That way they can ask more detailed questions .”
Diana nodded. “I am ready .”
“And you are fully familiar with the book by now ?”
“Yes.”
Sir Cecil turned to Robert. “Do you have anything you want to ask or say ?”
“Yes.”
Robert went over to Diana carrying a small black velvet box about the size of a dessert plate .
“This is to thank you for your great service to me.” He opened the box and took out a three-strand pearl necklace. “I thought of you when I looked through the family collection and found this. It goes so well with your milky skin .”
He then fastened it around her neck .
She put her hand to it and felt its smooth polished surface. “Oh, Robert, this is far too much.” But her heart was both racing and rejoicing. It was all she could do not to reach forward and embrace Robert. Only Sir Cecil’s close presence kept her from doing that. And she replied with a simple, “Thank you. You are most kind, and I am happy to help .”
“Very well, then,” Sir Cecil declared. He spread his arms as though he was about to herd a flock of geese, and said, “I think it is time for us to attend the ceremony .”
* * *
D iana had been surprised at the number of people attending the ceremony. There were far more people than chairs and a crowd had gathered at the back of those seated. She was pleased to see Adam come in and take a seat in an empty chair near the front .
The ceremony was brief but successful, and the guests soon dispersed into groups. Some went to the drinks table for a glass of wine, others chatted amongst themselves, and many came over to chat with Diana .
Diana could see Adam standing aside, allowing her to be the center of attention. But she kept her eye on him to gage his mood. He seemed to be content with a glass of wine in his hand and was even engaged in conversation with a number of the other guests .
But Diana’s attention was mostly on the various guests who wished to speak with her—either about a potential interview for their publication or from fans that had rea
d her previous books and wanted to discuss why she had chosen to take her writing in this new direction .
Sir Cecil was close by and setting up appointments with journalists who wanted to interview her. But Diana was holding her own and was especially enjoying speaking with the fans of her other books .
She finally had a moment to look around the room for Robert. She spied him standing at the side of the lobby with his sister, Amelia, and a few others. However, he did not look at all pleased, and he appeared to be in some sort of an argument with a man who appeared to associate himself closely with Amelia .
Slowly the crowd began to drift away until there were only a few heavy drinkers skirting the wine table .
Adam came up to Diana who was now free, except for being in conversation with Sir Cecil .
He noticed the pearl necklace, seemed surprised, and asked, “Those pearls, I do not remember them .”
Diana hesitated, as she fingered the pearls, but said, “They are my mother’s. She lent them to me for the occasion .”
“They are lovely. Will you be ready to leave soon?” he then asked .
“I still have a number of things to go over with Sir Cecil. I have a lot of interviews lined up and we need to plan those out. Do you want to wait or do you need to leave ?”
He seemed torn, but answered, “I’d like to leave, but how will you get home ?”
Sir Cecil said, “I will have a carriage available to her when we finish. Feel free to leave if you like, young man .”
Adam turned to Diana .
“That will be fine, Adam,” she said. “I know this has been a long morning. Why not go home for lunch and I will join you as soon as I am able .”
“Very well.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “It seemed to go very well for you. Are you pleased ?”
“Yes, Adam, I am .”
She watched as Adam left the building then turned back to Sir Cecil just as Robert joined them. Sir Cecil asked Robert, “How do you feel the launch went ?”
Robert appeared to be slightly distracted but he said, “I think it went well. Diana, you handled the opening statement superbly. And what a crowd surrounded you after the speech !”
Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke_A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 20