Robert stepped forward and offered his hand. “You must be Diana’s fiancé… I am Robert Donnelly,” Robert introduced himself .
Adam took his hand and shook. “Adam Hardy,” he replied curtly .
Diana turned to Robert briefly. “Oh, I am sorry for not introducing you.” Then she turned back. “Yes, Adam, the Earl and I were going over the outline of the book he will be publishing under my name…” Then she suddenly looked distressed and she turned to Robert. “Oh, that is supposed to be a secret, is it not ?”
Although Robert was a little disturbed by the revelation, he kindly said, “That is quite all right. As your fiancé, he should know the situation and the agreement between us .”
Diana seemed flustered as she turned first to Adam and then to Robert. “I am so sorry, there seems to be a lot of confusion right now. Let me sort this out.” She turned to Robert. “Let me get you the books, then you are free to be on your way .”
“Let us do that another time. There is no rush. You have much more pressing business with Adam. And I shall just let myself out .”
“And thank you for the new outfit,” she added .
Robert put the boxes on a nearby table, nodded to Adam, and then to Diana, and left .
Chapter 12
A fter Robert left, Diana taking a deep breath, went over and took hold of Adam’s hands .
“Please, please, please forgive me, Adam. There has been such a lot of chaos and disruption these past few days. But I am here alone with you now and you have my full attention,” she said as she led him to the facing chairs by the fireplace and they sat down .
“Can I get you anything?” she asked firstly .
Adam shook his head. “But I still do not understand what you were doing this afternoon. I thought it was so important that you have time for your writing. Why were you on a picnic with… that man ?”
Diana could see Adam was angry, frustrated, and confused. She lowered her head to clear her thoughts and looked up and fully explained about the publishing arrangement with Sir Cecil and Robert .
“I am sorry I did not tell you everything in detail about my business arrangement with the Earl before, but it was supposed to be a secret. It cannot be known that the Earl is publishing a novel. But now you know the whole story—as you should .”
“But that still does not explain why you were on a picnic if it was supposed to be a business meeting,” Adam said with a pout and more than a hint of jealously .
“It just happened. Robert thought it would be a nice and relaxed way to discuss the book. That is all .”
“And what about after you fell into the river? How did you get dried out and get new clothes ?”
Diana explained about drying out at Robert’s house on the river .
“That does not seem to be at all proper .”
“What else could I do? It was too far to come home to change. I could have caught a cold as I was dripping wet .”
“Still…”
Diana felt he was being unfair. “Adam, do you not trust me? Do you for one minute think I would misbehave ?”
Adam looked chastened. “Well, no …”
“Then, I assure you everything was innocent and above board .”
Adam turned and pointed to the clothing boxes Robert had brought in. “And those. Are they gifts ?”
“No, Adam, they are replacement clothes for what was ruined in the river .”
“And you paid for them ?”
“No, Robert did. He felt it was his responsibility .”
“Hmm.”
Diana leaned back in her chair and slapped her hands on her knees. “Oh, Adam, if you are going to be like this …”
Adam lowered his eyes. “I think I understand. Yes, I forgive you .”
Diana was suddenly not all that certain she wanted his forgiveness. What right did he have to question her actions? But he was her fiancé and she decided that he did have legitimate concerns .
“Adam, can we start anew? Can we focus on why you came to see me this afternoon? You want to know if I still want to marry you, is that not so ?”
“Yes. And now I am afraid of what you might say .”
“Then let me immediately put your mind at ease. Yes, I do want to marry you and be your wife .”
Adam let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, I am happy to hear that. And I promise to respect your need for alone time to write .”
“And I will be a dutiful wife and companion,” she added .
“And what about the honeymoon? Have you given that any thought ?”
“Greece or Italy will be just fine—as long as it is not too long. I am going to have a very busy schedule once the Earl’s book is published .”
“And why is that ?”
“I need to be present for book signings, publicity tours, literary salons, and whatever it takes to help sell the book—plus keeping up with my own writing as well .”
“I love you, Diana,” Adam said, leaning across and taking both of her hands. “I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy .”
“As do I,” Diana said, without consciously saying I love you back .
“Then I shall go to London later this week and make the final arrangements for the loan to your father. Does that make you happy ?”
“Yes, Adam, and thank you .”
*
T he next morning, as she sat down to her little desk to write, she took stock of what had transpired the last few days and she marveled that she had somehow survived—but she had. However, she still had one important task to accomplish before she could, with good consciousness, return to her writing. She must make amends to the Goodwin sisters .
She left her desk and went to visit her mother in the gallery .
“Hello dear, is it morning tea time already?” Mother asked as Diana came in the door .
“Not yet Mother, but I have something I need to discuss with you .”
“Very well,” she said as she put down her paint brush and turned to Diana .
Diana explained about her inexcusable insult to the Goodwin sisters .
“Oh, Diana, that does not sound like you at all. How could you say such terrible things to those dear, sweet sisters ?”
“I was very upset. It has been a difficult time. And that is why I come to you this morning. I wish to make amends and I noticed that you have a soup pot simmering on the stove. Might I take some over to the sisters?—if the soup is ready, that is .”
“I believe it will be shortly. Yes. Feel free to take them some, and make sure you behave contritely .”
“I certainly shall, Mother .”
“I still cannot believe you said those things, we did not raise you to be so rude and insolent,” Mother said as she returned to her painting .
“Yes, Mother, I realize, and I will apologize .”
*
“O h, it is you,” Kitty said as she opened the door to their cottage .
“I come begging forgiveness for my rude and miserable behavior to you both the other day,” Diana pleaded .
“Who is it?” Abigail called from inside .
Kitty turned away and called back, “It is Miss Diana .”
“Has she come to scold us again ?”
“No, dear, she wants to apologize .”
“I certainly hope so,” Abigail said as she came to the door and stood next to Kitty .