“Just like an episode out of my Amazon travels,” Robert said laughing .
When they reached the house, Diana offered Robert the opportunity to come inside, but he declined as they stood at her doorstep .
“What if I stop by again in two or three days? Might you have your answer for me by then?” he asked .
Diana smiled as she shook Robert’s hand. “I expect I shall. And I do look forward to seeing you again then .”
Robert raised her hand and kissed it. “Until we meet again,” he said and walked briskly away from the house toward the inn where he’d stabled his horse .
Diana found she was agitated as she watched him walk away. Not uncomfortably so, but feeling a mixture of anticipation, attraction, and concern. It was a strange combination of feelings, so she went inside and sat at the kitchen table where the quiet of the kitchen and comfort of the heat from the stove calmed and settled her .
She was suddenly taken with the need to tell Miriam and Geoffrey about the Earl’s offer. The subject had never come up at tea and she wanted to hear what they thought about this new opportunity, so she put on a sweater, as it was getting colder outside, and she headed to the Sinclair’s house .
“You are back,” Miriam squealed as she opened the door. “Oh, do come in. Are you going to tell us all about that enchanting man, Robert ?”
“Well, I do have some news about that .”
“Who is that?” Geoffrey called out .”
“It is Diana with news,” she shouted back .”
“But did she not tell us all the news she had just minutes ago? What could possibly have happened since then?” he asked as he appeared in the entrance way .
“Ask her yourself, then,” Miriam scolded .
“Tell, tell. Is it about the divine Mr. Robert?” Geoffrey asked .
“More or less,” Diana said, “Come… sit with me so I can tell you. I need to know what you think .”
They headed to the sitting-room where the tea service was still sitting cold on the table .
“Now what I have to tell you must be in the strictest of confidence. Do you understand ?”
They both nodded vigorously .
“Now, I mean it. Do not tell a soul or the literary furies will swoop down and peck out both of your eyes. Understand. Seriously .”
“Oh, come on and tell us. You are being so dramatic,” Miriam insisted .
Diana laid out the entirety of Robert’s offer then asked, “What do you think ?”
“But who is he ?”
“Have you read anything he has written ?”
“He may be a serial killer for all you know,” the twins said all at once, overlapping each other .
“Now. Now. I know he is not a serial killer. He is the Earl of Donnelly to answer your first question .”
“He is?” they said in unison .
“Our Earl of Donnelly?” Geoffrey asked .
“Yes. And no, I have not read anything he has written .”
“But what if it is dreadful and it alienates all your readers ?”
“I am sure it is not dreadful,” Diana insisted, “otherwise my publisher would not publish him and go to all the trouble of trying to find a surrogate author for him .”
“Now, that is an excellent point,” Miriam said. Then she added, “and he certainly is romantic himself, is he not ?”
“He seemed very attentive to you,” Geoffrey said .
“Was he? I had not noticed,” Diana replied, but not so sure that what she said was true .
“Now you are getting away from the crux of my problem. Do you think it is a good idea for me to let him use my name to publish under? After all, my reputation is at stake, and if something goes wrong I could lose all my readers and what little income I have from my writing .”
“But what if he finds you wildly attractive and falls madly in love with you, then you would become Lady Donnelly,” Miriam rhapsodized .
“Do not get carried away. You are far too flighty. Come down to earth. This is strictly about a business agreement between the two of us,” Diana insisted .
“I would not be too certain that is all that is involved here,” Geoffrey hinted .
“You two are evil and wicked. I come to you for sound, practical advice and you ply me with your romantic fantasies .”
“But it could happen,” Miriam insisted. “He is like a white knight out of a dream. And you would be so perfect together. Both writers. Both so lovely looking. I imagine your babies would be dream babies too .”
Diana stood up. “Now you are not only ridiculous but also silly, and I am going to leave .”
“Take the offer,” Geoffrey said, matter-of-factly. “It’s a lovely down payment and if the book is successful you will make additional money. How can you lose ?”
*
B ack home, after fleeing the exhausting session with her friends, she calmed herself down by picking up a book and settling in by the fire to read. And after a few moments, she began to feel a little more relaxed when there was a knock again at the front door .
Her first thought was that Robert had something else he wanted to tell her and she went to answer. But it was not Robert, it was Adam .
“Oh, hello, Adam. Please, come in .”
He smiled broadly. “Thank you.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Do you have your answer for me today, as you promised?” he asked, jumping right in with a bright expectation .
It took Diana a moment to realize what he was asking—about his marriage proposal. She had given it thought previously and had come to the conclusion that marrying Adam was her best hope for securing her family’s security. But with the excitement of this new opportunity from Robert, she had not yet had time to consider if this change might free her from the need of accepting Adam’s proposal .
“Come into the sitting-room, Adam. There is a nice fire and we can talk .”
“Talk? Is there a need for talk?” he asked. “Is your answer to my proposal a yes or a no ?”
Diana took his hand and led him to the chairs by the fire, and directed him to sit .
She began by briefly outlining the offer from Robert and what it might mean for her future .
“Are you going to accept?” Adam asked .
“I am leaning toward acceptance. Yes .”
“And how might that affect my proposal?” Adam asked a little concerned that she might be shying away from his offer .
Diana lowered her head and was quiet for a moment. Then she looked up at Adam and said, “Adam, I am going to be blunt with you. If I accept your proposal will you ask your father to guarantee whatever funds we will need to secure the new leasehold ?”
Adam seemed a little agitated. “So your acceptance is dependent on a successful financial transaction ?”
“Yes, Adam, it is .”
“And your feelings for me? Are they nothing ?”
“No Adam,” she said with sympathy, “you know that is not my only motive. You know I care for you a great deal. We share many common interests and tender feelings. But the situation is such that the fate of my family is in my hands and I need to make sure my parents’ future is secure in this house. Please try and understand .”