“I have to say,” Diana said, “I am surprised you enjoyed my book. I thought it might be too light reading for your taste .”
Robert looked over at her. He had picked a long stalk of grass and was chewing on it as he responded. “I can understand why you might say that. But I sat down to read it when my mind was in agitation and by the time I had finished nearly three-quarters of it I had lost all track of time and I was calm again .
“Really? That is nice to hear,” she said, looking away a little embarrassed at his praise .
“I loved your characters—their subtle interactions and the contradictions in their behavior at times. The complexity made the story more real for me .”
Diana nodded but had nothing to add .
Robert continued, “My story is so much more straightforward. It is an adventure and it is all about action. My characters take a back seat to the story line .”
Diana turned to him. “I look forward to reading it. When do you think you will get the galley proofs ?”
“Soon.”
They walked on in silence for a few moments, Diana picking more flowers .
Then Robert said, “Having read your book I am somewhat concerned about what might appear to be a drastic clash in styles to your readers when my book comes out under your name .”
“That has crossed my mind as well, even though I have not read your book yet .”
“Do you foresee that becoming a problem for either of us?” Robert asked .
“I don’t know how you might feel about this, but I was thinking it might be worthwhile for me to write a preface to your book saying that I was experimenting with a new style. Wanting to break from my old genre and explore new writing avenues. Do you think that might work?” she said looking up at him. “Or might you want to reconsider using me as your surrogate author? Perhaps a man might be better suited to represent you .”
Robert reacted forcefully. “Oh, no. Not at all. I have made my arrangement with you and I mean to stick by it. However, I do feel your suggestion of a preface might be a good idea. Why do we not each write one and we shall let Sir Cecil decide which might be best suited for the front of the book .”
“I like that idea,” Diana said smiling and relieved that he did not want to cancel their arrangement .
They had, by this time, reached the far end of the meadow and had started walking back. By now Diana had picked two small bunches of flowers and had determined to give one to her mother and one to Robert. But then she suddenly realized it would be inappropriate for an engaged lady to present such a gift to a single man who was not her fiancé. But that also seemed to be a ridiculous convention and she determined she would give the bouquet to Robert .
“What is the date of your fete?” Diana asked as they descended the stile and began walking towards the Sinclair’s house .
“I believe it is the twenty-second. But I am not sure. It is the closest Saturday in any event .”
When they reached the Sinclair’s front door, Diana knocked .
“It is Diana and her Earl,” Geoffrey shouted over his shoulder after answering the door. “Hello, you two—do come inside. We are sorting beans—can you believe? We grew fa-a-a-r too many last year and have let them dry. Now we need to take out all the spoiled ones. Want to help ?”
Miriam appeared with a large bowl in her hands .
“Oh, hello. Sorry for the mess, but shelling and storing dried beans is not an easy task. Tea? Shall I make us some tea ?”
“Not for me,” Robert said, “I have already kept Diana too long from her writing. I read one of her books and just had to tell her how much I enjoyed it. Have you read any of her novels ?”
Geoffrey pointed to a bookshelf. “Read them all.” He turned and pinched Diana’s cheek. “Our very own national celebrity. How could we not have ?”
“I must not stay. Just wanted to invite you three to our local fete in June. I want you to be my honorary guests. I will even ask you to be judges of the pies and cakes. Everyone loves doing that .”
“I want to judge the boot toss,” Geoffrey chimed up. “All that black footwear flying through the air… what a thrill .”
“I think that might be arranged,” Robert said laughing .
“And flowers? Will there be judges for best roses, and dahlias and snapdragons and such?” Miriam asked .
“There will, but the judges for that event are rather specialized and they are the same each year. So, pies and cakes are all I can offer you .”
“That will do .”
“Want some beans?” Geoffrey offered. “We got bushels and bushels .”
“I will take some,” Diana said. “Robert? How about you ?”
“No thank you. Cook takes care of all of that. And she is a fierce warrior if I intrude into her domain. And now I best be going,” he said nodding good-bye .
“I will get some of your beans when they are all sorted,” Diana said .
“Bye, bye,” Geoffrey said, waving to them as he closed the door .
“Those two amuse me greatly. You should put them as characters in one of your books,” Robert suggested as they headed back toward Diana’s house .
She laughed. “No one would believe them if I did .”
Reaching the front gate, Diana handed Robert a bunch of her flowers. He seemed surprised .
“For me ?”
“For you. And why not ?”
“I am afraid they might get damaged and not survive my ride home. Why not give them to your mother ?”
“These are for my mother,” she said, holding up the second bunch of flowers .
“Then for your father… or even yourself. They would be lovely next to your inkwell when writing, would they not ?”
Diana smiled. “Perhaps .”
Robert tipped his hat. “Thank you for your time this morning and our conversation .”
“Thank you.” She nodded .
“And I will work on a preface for the book and we can compare them when you have finished yours .”
He turned and left and she watched him walk down the street until he disappeared around a corner. She recognized the warm glow she always felt in his presence, and could not stop thinking of how much she enjoyed his company .
She looked down at the flowers in her hand and she went first to the gallery .
“Mother, I picked these for you in the meadow. It is so lovely just now. You and Father should take a stroll there .”
“Oh, thank you, dear. They are lovely. If you would… put them in a jar and I will place them on my desk .”
Diana did that and then decided the second bunch should go to the Goodwin sisters. She hoped they had sufficiently forgiven her for her rude outburst as she headed toward their cottage .
*
A fter her unexpected morning break, Diana was back at her desk once again. She reread what she had previously written and continued .
Tommy fought to keep awake until he heard Mrs. Cartwright leaving for the bakery, then he got up and dressed as quietly as he could .
He found a few spoonsful of soup in the pot from last night’s supper and had that for his breakfast before slipping out the door .