Now Robert smelled blood and pounced again. “And do you enjoy travel?” he baited .
“Oh yes, we have been to the seaside at Margate several times. I love paddling in the sea and exploring the beautiful churches and chapels. It’s a lovely place .”
“Well, I must say, one of my favorite places is Marrakesh in Morocco. The splash of colors in the spice market. The crush of peasants, tribesmen, beggars, and townsfolk surging through the souk is quite exhilarating. The wail of exotic music… the wafting scents of cooking meats… the cry of muezzins from the minarets. It is quite beyond description and totally absorbing. Have you been ?”
The whole family seemed to be profoundly shocked .
“We would never consider going to a country of heathens and scoundrels,” Lady Daniels huffed in profound dismay .
“What a shame. There is nothing like being a foreigner in a country where you do not know the language and must adapt to another culture to truly widen one’s life perspective .”
“We are quite content being who we are. We have no need to accommodate ourselves to the lowly and hideous culture of those who do not speak English and are not upright Christians,” Charlene said in her most outraged and forceful voice .
Robert took the last sip from his teacup and stood, nodding to each as he said, “Most enlightening. However, I must excuse myself, and I am sad to say I shall be unavailable during the rest of your stay. But I am certain my sister will make the rest of your visit most enjoyable .”
*
B efore leaving the library after the dreadful tea, Robert took a few papers from his desk and retired to his own rooms where he had another desk he sometimes used when writing and did not wish to be disturbed .
He studied the list of surrogate author candidates Sir Cecil had given him. Two were crossed off, leaving three .
All the rest were located outside of London. One was in Nottingham. One was in a small town in Devon and one was nearby in Cambridge. Robert was desperate to get away from Balfour for the rest of the afternoon in hopes of avoiding running into the Daniels family again, so he decided to take a ride into Cambridge and visit the Cambridge author, Miss Diana Browning .
Browning? That name rang a bell. Browning of Cambridge. Yes. There was a professor at St. John’s College. Something Browning… John Browning? No. Carl Browning? George Browning. Yes, that was the name. He had attended lectures in English lit from the fellow. Might he and the author be related? he wondered .
He had no intention of telling Amelia that he was fleeing for the afternoon and evening. She would discover for herself that he was gone and she would be forced to entertain the atrocious guests all by herself .
Robert went to the stable, had his horse readied, and set out for Cambridge. It was late March and blustery in the early afternoon when he set out .
He had no difficulty finding the house of the author as it was on a familiar street that he remembered from his college days .
He stabled his horse at a nearby inn and went to the house and knocked. There was no answer. He saw that there was an attached gallery that was open and he went there to enquire about Diana Browning .
“Good afternoon,” he said as he entered the gallery .
“Oh, hello. Do not mind me. Just look around and if you see anything you like just let me know and I will be happy to help you .”
Robert looked around the quaint shop. The paintings were pleasant but commercial and obviously targeted at the tourist trade and students wishing to furnish their rooms cheaply .
“Thank you, but I am trying to locate a Diana Browning. I believe she lives in the attached house. Might you know of her whereabouts ?”
“Oh, Diana… she’s my daughter. Did you knock ?”
“I did but there was no answer .”
“Oh, she is probably wrapped up in her writing and either did not hear you or ignored you.” Ann laughed. “So sorry about that. If you give me just a moment I will go and see if I can find her. Might I say who is calling for her ?”
“The Earl of Donnelly .”
“Oh, my …”
“I am here on a matter of business .”
“Then I shall see if I can find her for you .”
Ann put the back in five minutes sign on the door and bade him follow her. She led the way into the house and ushered Robert to the best sitting-room .
“I’ll go search for her,” she said, leaving Robert alone .
Presently, she returned. “She will be right with you. Just as I thought, totally caught up in her writing .”
“I understand,” Robert answered .
Ann stood by, not wanting to leave Robert alone .
“Good afternoon,” Diana said as she came into the room. “Mother says you wished to see me ?”
“Yes. I am Robert Donnelly,” he said offering his hand .
“The Earl of Donnelly?” Diana asked .
“Yes.”
Diana curtsied briefly. “Please have a seat. Might you enjoy some tea ?”
“Not for me, just yet. Thank you .”
Diana turned to her mother. “Thank you, Mother .”
Ann left and Diana went to sit opposite Robert .
“And how may I assist you, my Lord?” she asked .
“Let me first ask, is George Browning of St. John’s related to you in any way ?”
“Yes. He is my father. Do you know him ?”
“I attended some of his lectures when I was a student at the university .”
“I shall ask him if he remembers you .”
“Please give him my best regards .”
“I shall .”
“Now then, down to business. I have come with a proposition for you .”
As Robert explained his offer to Diana he could not help but admire her gentle and attractive demeanor. Her delicate yet determined features appealed to him and he was surprised at how easy he found it was conversing with her. How different from that dreadful family he left behind at Balfour .
When he was finished outlining his proposal he paused to give her time to consider his offer .
Diana then said, “That is a most interesting situation in which you find yourself. I can completely understand the ambiguity of your position. And I agree, it does seem to be a ridiculous constraint that you cannot publish under your own name .”
“But alas, it is not just my problem. It seems Hancock and Puntley would also suffer if they published my book with my name on it .”
Diana laughed. “You are in the House of Lords, why cannot you put through a bill or something to outlaw such an egregious unfairness ?”
Robert followed her laugh with his. “Well, firstly the Lords does not originate bills. That is done in the Commons. All the Lords can do is offer a yea or a nay after a vigorous debate. So, it is quite unlikely that my dilemma will disappear any time soon .”
“Such is the way of the world .”
“And what do you think about my offer? Is it something you can consider ?”
“I am thinking about it. But why choose me? Have you read my books? Do you think we are a good fit ?”