“That would be Sylvia’s Triumph and no I did not. I was there for a short visit on business, Miss Simpson-Wright .”
“What a pity. Everything is so dull in this neighborhood. The most we can hope to see are students dressing up as women and putting on Shakespeare’s plays in college .”
“Not bad some of that, I can tell you,” George spoke up. “The bard still entertains even after all these years .”
The Viscount turned to Bridget and said, “You like shocking reviews, do you Miss Simpson-Wright .”
Bridget blushed and giggled. “Oh, no. But I do enjoy a nice comedy or a panto now and then. But we rarely get up to London at Christmas time .”
“Then you are in for a treat for I understand that there is to be a traveling troop of players presenting a pantomime this very Christmas at one of the colleges—though I am not sure which one .”
Bridget clapped. “Which Panto is it to be ?”
“Aladdin, I believe,” Diana spoke up .
Bridget turned to Tabitha and said, “Oh, we must book our tickets early. I do love front row center .”
As the main course was being served, the guests began to speak individually amongst themselves. And Robert turned again to Diana .
“How is your new novel coming along?” he asked .
“Slowly, I am sad to say. All of this excitement over your proposal has disrupted my tranquil writing time and I am struggling somewhat .”
“I am sorry to be a distraction for you .”
Diana tilted her head. “It is not the first distraction. And now that I am engaged… well, I sometimes wonder if I shall ever get to finish my new book .”
Robert did not like to be reminded of Diana’s upcoming marriage. He had found himself unexpectedly attracted to this young woman and he was surprised that after all of Amelia’s efforts to introduce him to suitable young women, here was the one he could not have .
He looked over at Amelia and caught her apparently signaling to Lady Hortense to engage Robert in a conversation .
Robert turned his attention back to Diana. “I was speaking to Sir Cecil before you arrived this evening and he has an excellent plan for you to continue publishing your books under a new pen name. He will explain it all in our meeting after dinner .”
Diana looked up at him and smiled. “You are a very kind and thoughtful man. Thank you .”
*
A melia had been seething all evening. It was so obvious Robert had rearranged her seating plan and now Luddy was in deep conversation and giggles with Lady Hortense—who was supposed to be in deep conversation and giggles with Robert and not her Luddy .
Why did everything need to be so-o-o difficult ?
Amelia felt she must do something to rescue this evening from total disaster. And her first line of action was to somehow separate Lady Hortense from the Viscount .
She was just about to try distracting Lady Hortense with conversation when the Viscount stood at his place at the table .
“I think a toast is in order,” he announced, standing, but resting one hand on the table to steady himself. “To the Earl of Donnelly—a man eager to maintain the status quo at all costs. Hang the good of the community. Never mind the prosperity of the county …”
By now Amelia had jumped up and rushed around the end of the table and took Ludlow by the arm and tugged to get him out of the room .
“You are a terrible drunk,” she whispered as she dragged him, wine glass in hand, toward the dining room door. “I swear you have probably just sealed your fate. Now Robert will be more set against your project than ever. How can you be such a fool ?”
She led him to the Sterling parlor and sat him down and took the wine glass from his hand .
“And just what were you doing flirting with Lady Hortense all evening. You were making a mocking spectacle of yourself .”
“Give me my wine,” he gurgled .
She went to the sideboard and poured a glass of water and took it to Ludlow .
“There. That is what you need right now .”
He took a sip and spit it out in a violent spray. “Ugh, that is disgusting .”
“I am going to call for your carriage. You are unsuited for civilized company for the rest of this evening .”
“But I need to tell Robbie all about my canal .”
Amelia sighed in disgust. “Not this evening you won’t. And you will be lucky if he ever speaks to you again. And I would not blame him .”
*
R obert stood at the conclusion of the dinner party. Amelia had only just returned—without the Viscount .
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he announced, “It is customary for the ladies to leave the gentlemen at table after such a fine meal for drinks and cigars. However, this evening I must beg you to forgo this custom, as I must meet privately with a few of you on a matter of business .
“Amelia, if you would be so kind as to escort the rest of our guests to the parlor where drinks and coffee will be awaiting you .”
Amelia nodded to Robert with a most contrite looking expression, and said, “If you will follow me, I have asked Lady Hortense to entertain us with a recital of her beautiful piano renditions, and after there will be cards for those who are so inclined .”
As Amelia and the guests left for the parlor, Robert led Sir Cecil and Diana to the library for their meeting. Diana’s parents went with Amelia and the other guests .
One of the footmen offered drinks and coffee to Robert’s guests as they came in. And once they had settled in the seating area by the fire, Sir Cecil stood and, holding his brandy snifter, said, “I have made all the arrangements for our deal to go forward—if both of you are in agreement.” He handed Diana and Robert copies of the contracts. “Robert, your manuscript is in the editing process and I hope to have galley proofs for you to examine within the next month or so .
“And Miss Diana I have set up an aggressive marketing campaign for your next novel when it is ready. You will find the details in your agreement. You will be published under the pen name of Jessica Dowling. And how soon do you think your next book will be ready ?”
Diana hesitated briefly. “I am not certain, but I would certainly hope to have it for you by the end of the summer .”
“We would very much like to have it available well before Christmas. Might you be able to aim for mid-summer?” Cecil asked .
“I will certainly try. In fact, the book will have a Christmas theme and it would be most appropriate to have it in the bookstores before Christmas. I will concentrate very hard to get it to you in time .”
“That is excellent news. Perhaps you might send me a sample chapter that I might use in your publicity campaign—Miss Dowling,” he said with a little laugh .
“I will do that as soon as possible .”
“And you will find in your agreements that Robert will be granting you fifty percent of all of the royalties he earns from publishing under your name and he will be issuing you his down payment cheque for one thousand guineas—not pounds—he informs me, once these agreements are signed by the both of you .”