Robert opened the door promptly. “Oh, I am so pleased you could make it, Diana. Please come in.”
He put his hand on her shoulder as he led her down the hallway toward the sitting-room, and she needed to calm her rush of feelings by moving away from him once they were in the room.
“Can I make you some tea?”
“Thank you, no. I have just come from tea with the twins. It was our first visit since I got back from London.”
“And they are fine?”
“Of course. Are they ever not?” She laughed.
“Please sit by the fire and let me get right to what I need to discuss with you. I do not want to keep you any longer than necessary as it is getting late.”
Diana made herself comfortable in the armchair and enjoyed the warmth of the fire.
Robert did not sit but began to pace as he spoke. He explained the whole situation with the Viscount—the blackmail—Amelia’s betrayal—and the fact that if his secret were to be revealed, it could ruin his reputation and all that he had worked for.
“As you can see, you are the only one I can speak to about these matters, as we are co-conspirators—so to speak.”
“Robert, that is troubling news. And I cannot believe Amelia would betray you like that. You must be devastated.”
“She has certainly hurt me, but I understand her motive. She wishes to marry, and, even though she plans to marry the Viscount, I am happy for her,” Robert said as he paused by the fireplace. “I love her dearly, and I know she has been deeply unhappy for some time.”
Diana thought for a moment, and then said, “Forgive me, Robert, but I am somewhat confused.”
“About?”
“I am not certain I understand your reluctance to sell the land for the canal. It seems to be a very worthy project that would benefit many in the county.”
Robert seemed to be surprised by her answer. “But it will divide my land and create chaos to my cattle and farming operations.”
“Is that really so? Or is it a form of feudal pride? Perhaps you, as the Earl of Donnelly, feel violated by the suggestion that you compromise your sacred lands?”
Robert seemed genuinely surprised by her response. “Diana… you shock me.”
“I am sorry, but from everything you told me I would jump at the opportunity the Viscount has presented. It would be an enormous boon to the county—providing access to international trade, increased sales for manufacturers, new markets for farmers and cattle growers, like you, and ease the importing of needed goods and supplies.” Robert turned from the fireplace and began pacing, once again. “And you said the Viscount, and the delegation that came to see you offered very generous royalties on all shipping across your land. Plus they agreed to build several bridges across the canal that would connect your lands. How can you possibly refuse that offer? Not to mention, that if you agreed to the Viscount’s proposal, he would not reveal that you are the author of the book. Win, win, win, it seems to me.”
Robert started laughing and he turned to face her and looked shocked.
“Diana, you truly believe that?”
“I do. Think about it for a moment. It benefits everyone.”
Robert began pacing again.
“And you believe I have been blinded by my own prejudice?”
Diana nodded.
Robert stopped pacing and turned back to her.
“My dearest Diana, you are so perceptive. What a stubborn fool I have been. I can see now that my resistance was based more on my dislike of the Viscount than any genuine concern I might have about my property.”
“Then you have solved your problem, have you not?”
“And all thanks to you.”
“Then you will accept the offer?”
“I shall.”
“Stand. Come,” Robert instructed as he advanced toward Diana. “I am going to give you a kiss of appreciation. And your fiancé will just have to forgive me this liberty, as I am so very grateful to you for your wise assistance.”
Diana stood, and Robert took her into his arms and gave her the sweetest kiss she had ever had. She began to tremble as the kiss lasted longer than she expected. This was not a quick brush of lips but a full, passionate kiss that stopped her breath and forced her to back away.
“Robert…” She looked at him as she never had before. And he stood his ground and returned her stare—his eyes alight with passion and desire.
“Diana… my Diana…
She pulled herself together and said rapidly, “I must go. I am so happy you have solved your problem. And I wish you all the very best in your new venture. And please, give your sister my very best congratulations on her engagement.”
“I will take you home. However, I came on horseback so we must ride together.”
“Very well.” Diana was feeling shaken by the kiss and wanted to leave as soon as possible. “But the light is fading and I should like to get home before dark.”
“I understand. We can leave right now. I left the horse saddled. I will retrieve him and be right back.”
Diana followed Robert to the front door and waited inside for him to return with the horse. As she waited, she found she was still agitated by the kiss. She realized she was playing with fire each time she was alone with him and she promised herself that must stop.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked, coming to fetch her.
“Yes, thank you.”
They went outside and Robert mounted the horse and then helped her up, to sit sideways behind him.
They started out after Diana had grabbed hold of Robert’s waist. As they rode forward there was a cool breeze and she leaned her head against Robert’s back. It was so very comforting and she relaxed into the ride.
But shortly they arrived back at her house, and she slipped off the horse and reached up and took Robert’s hand.
“Thank you for bringing me home.”
“And thank you for your wise council.” He squeezed her hand before letting go. “All the very best with your writing now that you are back home. I wish I could write, but it looks like I shall be busy for some time dealing with the canal. And again, thank you.”
“Good-bye, for now, Robert.” And she watched him ride away.
Chapter 27
Robert rode directly toward Balfour, not returning to the river cottage. What had just happened? He was filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Diana had so simply and clearly made him see where he was in error in his thinking about the canal. And now, he felt a great relief. He could see the obvious benefit in the canal, and he also felt relieved that his secret would now be safe and he could continue to write—when his writer’s block was broken. However, it might take some time before that happened.
And then there was Diana. Once again, he was in turmoil over his feelings for her. But he still had to face the fact that she was unavailable. But was she? He could not help but notice and feel that she responded to him in ways that were beyond mere friendship. And however much he would love to linger in thoughts of her, he had reached home and needed to deal with other more pressing issues.
Robert strode into Amelia’s rooms before dinner.
“Robert, you missed tea,” Amelia said coolly, as she fingered her black moonstone bracelet.
“I have been pondering the Viscount’s blackmail.”
“Oh, Robert… really… such a crude characterization of his more than generous offer.”
Robert did not want to reveal his thoughts to her for the moment and said, “Can you arrange a meeting with the Viscount for tomorrow morning at eleven?”
“May I tell him the purpose of the meeting?” she asked.
“Is it not obvious? I have but two days left in my week and I wish to conclude this farce.”
Amelia smiled slyly. “Then you are ready to agree to his terms?”
“I did not say that.”
“Then you must have a strategy. How clever. Care to share it with me?”
“Tomorrow at ele
ven. The library,” he said, then turned and left.
* * *
When Amelia and Ludlow entered the library the next morning they seemed surprised to see Ernest Cluett, the Mayor of Cambridge, already in attendance.
“Amelia, Berwick, you already know His Honor, the Mayor, no?”
Ludlow nodded, “Ernest. I am surprised to see you here.”
“Urgent summons from His Lordship. Thought I should attend.”
Amelia stepped to the side of the room seemingly eager to observe the meeting.
Ludlow stepped forward. “Then you have an answer for me, Donnelly?”
“I do.”
“Then it must be a yes since you have the Mayor in attendance.”
“I am willing to accept the proposal that the delegation presented to me, which is more generous than the one you originally gave me. And I have His Honor present to confirm what that offer was.”
The Mayor held up a paper. “I have it in writing.”
Both Amelia and the Viscount beamed.
“Excellent. Then we have a deal?” Ludlow said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Robert declined to take his hand and said, “I want your assurance that the other matter…” He did not want to mention his authorship in front of the Mayor. “The matter which involves the deadline. I want your written assurance that that matter is dead and buried. Never to be resurrected again.”
Ludlow hesitated, then responded. “No, Robert. I am not willing to bury that matter. It is far too valuable to me. However, I promise that it will lay dormant for now, once the sale of the land has gone through and we begin construction on the canal.”
Amelia frowned and came over to Ludlow, taking him aside and whispering heatedly with him.
He responded openly, saying, “No, my darling fiancé, I will fulfill my promises to you and I promise not to interfere in His Lordship’s business—for now. But I shall keep my sword—although I shall keep it sheathed.”
“That was not our agreement, Berwick,” Robert challenged, stepping forward aggressively.
Ludlow held up his hand. “Brother-in-law… Let us not argue. All will be well. After all, I will be taking your darling sister off of your hands, and we must remain congenial neighbors and relatives. Must we not?”
Taking hold of Ludlow’s arm, she nodded to Robert, seeming to indicate that she would keep him in check. And Robert, knowing his sister, believed she would.
“Very well, then I shall leave the room to you and His Honor so that you may confer on the terms of the agreement. Then when all the papers are drawn up and you can present me with certified funds for the purchase of the land then I will sign.” Robert turned to the mayor and nodded. “And good day and good luck to you both.”
* * *
Later that afternoon, Amelia was giddy with excitement about her marriage. True, Ludlow was not the most appealing man she had ever met, but at her age, she was in no position to reject any offer of marriage.
They had decided on a spring wedding for next year. She wanted it sooner, but Ludlow explained that he would be too caught up in beginning the work on the canal to have any time to deal with a wedding.
But that would not delay her ordering her wedding dress, and she was preparing to go to London for a week or so to confer with her dressmaker and begin the design and work on the gown.
Robert knocked on her door and came inside.
“So it is official? You are to be Her Ladyship, the Viscountess of Berwick?” he asked.
Amelia beamed—an unusual occurrence for her. “I am. And I am planning to head to London for a shopping visit.”
“And you have set a date for the wedding?”
“April or May.”
“I am truly happy for you, Amelia. I hope the two of you will be very happy.”
“Thank you, Robert.” She paused in her packing preparations and asked. “Why did you decide to accept Ludlow’s offer? I thought for certain you would fight him tooth and nail until the bitter end.”
Robert smiled. “I took good advice from someone I trust and respect.”
“Oh? And that would be me?”
“No, Miss Diana.”
“Miss Diana? You jest.”
“Not at all. She thought the project was most sensible and faulted me for holding a grudge against Ludlow which blinded me to the plan’s virtues.”
Amelia was truly stunned. Never in her wildest imaginings would she have figured that Diana could be her ally. That made her think for a moment, and then she said, “Miss Diana… hmm. I know I have been ruthlessly pressing pale daughters of the nobility upon you as prospective brides, but I may have misjudged. In an effort to find a suitable partner I have neglected to look at interesting women outside of the social elite. However, it seems to me you have an affinity for this young lady. Have you ever considered her as a prospective bride?”
Robert appeared to be stunned into silence before his face lit up with the most radiant smile. “Of course I have. However, the young lady is already engaged to be married.”
Amelia forced a mock frown. “I have never known a small detail like that deter you from acting before. You are an Earl. And her young fiancé is…?”
“A Cambridge student, newly graduated, and joining his father’s publishing firm, I believe.”
“Oh, Robert… An Earl versus a publisher’s clerk? Really? I never thought you would be so timid.”
“But she cares for him and they are engaged.”
Amelia went over to Robert and took his arm. “Robert, you may not have noticed, but I have. The way she looks at you, it borders on adoration. If you have any feelings for the woman at all, you must at least ask for her hand in marriage. The worst she could do would be to say no.”
Robert grabbed his sister and gave her an enormous hug. “Sister, sometimes you do surprise me.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead and bounded out of the room.
After he left, Amelia smiled and thought, Did I really, just do that?
* * *
It was already late afternoon, but Robert was not about to wait until tomorrow morning. He raced to the stables, saddled his horse, and lit out for Cambridge as fast as his horse would carry him. It was late afternoon by the time he reached the Browning’s cottage. He did not bother to stable his horse but tied it to the front fence and ran to the door and knocked loudly.
The door was answered by George. “My Lord, what a surprise. Were we expecting you? My memory is not what it was and it is possible I forgot all about your coming. Are you here for tea?”
“Your daughter. I must speak with her.” He looked past George to see if she might be in the kitchen.
George seemed uncertain. “Oh, Diana… let me think. I do not believe she would be at her writing this late in the afternoon, but I can go check if you like.”
“No, thank you, I will ask her mother. She might know.”
“Splendid idea, I believe she must be in the gallery.”
“Yes, I know,” Robert said, already retreating and heading out the front gate.
He burst into the gallery. “Good day, Mrs. Browning… Diana, do you know where I might find her?”
Ann thought for a moment. “Yes, I believe she either went to visit the twins or she went for a walk in the meadow. However, it is a bit chilly…”
But Robert had already left and was racing down the street toward the Sinclair’s. He stopped and knocked rapidly at their door. Miriam answered.
“Oh, hello, Robert. How lovely to see you.”
“Diana, is she with you?”
“Ah, no, but…”
Again Robert was already racing away. He scaled the stile and began looking for Diana across the meadow. Then he saw her far ahead walking with the Goodwin sisters.
“Damn. Another delay,” he said to himself. But he raced forward and was out of breath by the time he reached them.
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
Diana turned to him, surprised to see him. “Robert. What
a surprise. We did not have an appointment scheduled, did we?”
“No. However, I should very much like to speak with you… privately,” he said, tipping his hat to the sisters. “Ladies, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“And you, Milord,” Kitty replied.
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