Robert removed his hat. “I am. If it is not inconvenient .”
“Hello, Robert,” Diana said after putting the broom away .
Robert held the orchid before him. “And this is for you, as a thank you for taking the time to consider my offer .”
“My goodness, what a beautiful plant. We have never had an orchid before. You must instruct me on its care,” Diana said .
“I shall.” He handed her the plant and she placed it on a table by the window where the plant would receive full sun .
“Have you had sufficient time to consider your answer for me ?”
“Let us go to the house so we can speak comfortably.” She turned to her mother. “Will you excuse us ?”
Mother nodded, and added, “There is a new bottle of sherry on the sideboard in the sitting-room—if there is to be a celebration,” she winked as they left the gallery .
Diana led the way to the cottage and they went inside to the sitting-room .
“Quite a charming home. You must like it very much here .”
“We do. And with your offer, it looks as though we might be able to keep it,” Diana replied .
“Oh? Were you in danger of losing it ?”
Diana explained about the loss of the leasehold .
“Then does that mean you will accept my offer ?”
“First, I have one further question .”
“And that would be ?”
“What will happen if your book does not sell as you expect? Will you end the agreement? Will you require repayment of the down payment? And if that happens, will I return to publishing under my own name again ?
Robert laughed. “That was more than one question .”
“Correct. Sorry .”
“I promise you will not suffer financially in any way. But what I suggest is that you and your parents come to dinner at Balfour Friday next. My sister and I are having a dinner party and I will invite Sir Cecil, so we can sit down after dinner and answer all your questions—to your complete satisfaction. Then we can work out the exact paperwork that needs to be signed. Is that agreeable to you ?”
“I shall ask my parents, but I am quite certain that will be satisfactory .”
“Then you will accept the proposal if all your questions are answered to your satisfaction ?”
“Provisionally, yes,” Diana replied .
Robert smiled broadly. “I am so pleased we shall be working together .”
“Thank you. And now a celebratory sherry ?”
“That would be delightful .”
Diana went to the sideboard and poured two glasses of sherry .
“To all of our successes,” Robert toasted after receiving his glass .
“To success,” Diana responded .
“And your friend—Adam—is that correct ?”
“It is .”
“Will he be happy with your success ?”
“I expect he will be,” Diana said, but hesitated before adding, “But I must tell you, he is no longer just my friend .”
“Oh, has there been a rift?” Robert asked with a touch of expectation .
“Oh, no. We have become engaged and are to be married by the autumn .”
“Ah…” Robert said, turning away from Diana briefly .
She looked at him and sensed that he was upset for some reason .
“Does the sherry not please you?” she asked .
He turned back to her. “Oh, no, the sherry is fine. And congratulations,” he said, lifting his glass to her. “You must be very excited .”
Diana hesitated, and then said, “It is a happy event, indeed .”
“Then does that mean you will be living in London ?”
“I expect so, eventually. But the marriage is still some time away .”
“And will you continue your writing ?”
Robert seemed concerned about that, Diana realized, and she answered, “Oh, I expect to. Adam’s father is a publisher and Adam plans to go into the business. I feel certain he will want me to continue with my writing .”
Robert stood and looked at Diana with sad looking eyes. “Then all is well,” he said .
“Yes, all is well .”
Robert drained his glass and placed it on the sideboard. “I should be going. Dinner will be Friday at seven, with drinks at six. I hope both of your parents will join you .”
“We look forward to it .”
“Do you need transportation? I can send my carriage for you if need be .”
“Oh, no, we shall be fine. Father has an arrangement with a local stable owner to use his horse and small carriage whenever we need .”
“Then good-day, Miss Diana .”
“Good-day. And thank you for the lovely orchid. I believe I have a gardening book that will explain its care .”
“My pleasure,” Robert said, then turned and abruptly left .
Diana watched from the window as he walked down the garden path and turned onto the road toward the inn where he stabled his horse .
She felt a strange sadness. She was happy to accept his proposal, but she felt that once she mentioned her upcoming marriage, Robert suddenly cooled toward her. And the warm feelings he exuded when they first met seemed to be missing. Was it at all possible that he might have feelings for her, and when she announced that she was engaged, he was disappointed ?
She thought back to that first time when they went walking in the meadow and had tea with the Sinclair twins. He was so open and almost boisterous. Now, he seemed guarded and shut down .
And she had to admit to herself, truthfully, that seeing Robert again stirred something within her that Adam did not when he was with her .
But she was engaged and, in any case, he was the Earl of Donnelly and she was but the daughter of a university professor. She had no title, no wealth, and nothing to offer a man like him—except her acceptance of his proposal .
She shook her head and dismissed any further thought about the Earl—if she could .
*
D iana’s mother and father agreed to accompany her to Balfour for the Earl’s dinner party on Friday. Mother seemed flustered about what to wear, and her father promised Diana he would not fall asleep after dinner when he usually snoozed by the fire with his pipe before bedtime .
Diana was not concerned about what she would wear until she started looking through her dresses. She noticed that her best dress had a nasty rip at the waist and any home repair would be noticeable. What to do? She decided to confer with Miriam to see if she had any suggestions .
As Diana left the house, she noticed that any number of plants were sending up their spring shoots, seeking the warmth of the early April sun. She also saw the dead growth from last season had not been cut away and she promised herself she would spend an afternoon gardening quite soon .
As she walked down the street toward the Sinclair’s house, she saw the stile that led to the meadow up ahead and thought about the delightful afternoon she had spent with Robert when he came to offer his publishing proposal. She was overcome with a moment of sadness as she realized her engagement to Adam cut off any prospect of getting to know Robert beyond their business relationship .
But she had a present task and she marched up to the Sinclair’s door and knocked .