Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

He ran all the way to the butcher’s shop as he wanted to be early to earn the butcher’s respect. And he was early—too early. And, as he had no coat, he nearly froze waiting for his boss to arrive .

“Ah, lad. Good on ya for being early. Come inside. Ya look like you be ‘bout ta freeze solid as a pole .”

They went inside and the butcher set him to working right away. All day long he worked. With only a crust of bread and a slice of cheese from the Misses, at noontime .

Tommy was so exhausted that evening he flopped onto the bed and fell asleep right away. Doris had to wake him and make him eat some supper that his mother had put together from scavenging the market stalls at the end of the day .

The next morning Tommy and Mother were already gone when Doris got up and dressed, tying a ribbon to hold back her hair, taking a slice of bread for breakfast, putting on her thin coat, and heading out the door .

She was afraid she might be a little late as she ran toward the flower market. Once the flower sellers were done, an army of men with brooms descend on the market floor and begin sweeping up all the discarded flowers and trash .

But Doris arrived in time and began picking through the debris on the floor looking for flowers she could use for her little bouquets .

She always had a selection of ribbons in her coat pocket and she sat on a bench and made her small arrangements .

Diana put down her pen when she noticed her mother coming along the garden path toward the house. Diana had worked right through lunch to make up for the time she had spent with Robert. It was now tea time .

She went into the kitchen just as Mother was putting on the kettle and taking down the box of tea .

“I just saw Adam heading our way,” Mother said. “He should be here any moment now .”

And then there was a knock at the door which Diana answered .

Adam leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Hello, darling Diana, I have excellent news !”

“You passed your exam?” she asked .

“Not yet. But we are going to Greece on our honeymoon and I booked us on a boat that will stop at Genoa on the way home so we can spend a little time in Italy as well .”

“That sounds splendid,” Diana said, taking Adam’s arm and leading him to the kitchen .

“Hello, Mrs. Browning,” Adam said as they entered .

“Oh, Adam, you can call me Mother now that you are about to be my son-in-law .”

“Mother…” he said with a big grin .

“Just fixing tea. You will have some, will you not ?”

“I will, but I am embarrassed to say I did not bring anything from the bakery this time .”

“I believe we still have some muffins from breakfast. Diana, will you get out the butter and jam ?”

“Yes, Mother.” She put them on the table and sat down next to Adam .

“How are your exams coming?” Mother asked Adam .

“Almost done. But my dissertation is still a pain in the neck .”

“I imagine you will be very happy when you graduate. Are you going directly into your father’s firm?” she asked .

“Not directly. I want to help organize the wedding and prepare for our honeymoon,” Adam said as he placed his hand on top of Diana’s, then taking her hand in his. But Diana found a way to extricate her hand by standing up and heating the tea pot with hot water from the kettle .

“Are you planning to publish any of Diana’s books?” Mother asked as she spooned the tea into the pot .

“No, Mother. I already told you. I am very happy with Sir Cecil as my publisher .

“But soon the Earl will be publishing under your name. Would it not make more sense to have another publisher for your new work ?”

“No, Mother. Everything has been arranged, and I like the arrangement as it is .”

“Well, what do I know…?” Mother grumbled .

“Oh, I brought you some travel books on Greece,” Adam said, reaching into his bag and pulling out two books. “I thought you might like to read them before we plan our itinerary .”

Diana spoke up, “Can we not just—go? Why do we have to plan everything? It leaves out the joys of spontaneity .”

“But then we might miss a boat or not find room in a hotel. That would be disastrous .”

“Would it Adam? Really? Half the fun of traveling is the thrill of discovery. If everything is all planned out in advance there is no adventure, only the checking off of another destination on the list .”

Adam frowned as Mother poured the tea .

“Listen to you two, already squabbling as though you have been married half your lives .”

Diana turned to Adam. “So sorry, I shall read your books and then we can plan our trip together. How does that sound ?”

Adam smiled. “Very sensible .”





Chapter 16





I t was a charming June afternoon and Diana was kneeling at the flower bed in front of the cottage planting the annuals. She had a watering can at her side and made sure each set of plants had a healthy drink before she moved to the next section .

She was surprised to hear a carriage pull up in front of the house and she stood and shaded her eyes with her hand to see if the carriage had stopped at their house for a reason .

A footman got down from the back of the carriage, opened the door and Amelia descended .

Diana went through the front gate and, brushing the dirt off her hands, went over to Robert’s sister .

“Good afternoon, Amelia,” Diana said. “Did you come with a message from Robert ?”

Amelia gave a generous smile and said, “Not at all. It is I who came to see you. I was in the area and I thought it might be nice if we had some tea. I would love to take you to Smith and Harlow’s . They do a lovely cream tea.” She looked Diana up and down. “But I am sure you will want to change first .”

Diana was, indeed, surprised by the invitation and not completely sure what this might be about. But from the hints Robert had dropped before, she was not sure that Amelia was here for just a polite social call .

“You are free, are you not?” Amelia said delicately removing her gloves .

“I shall be just a moment. If you would like to come inside, I shall change quickly .”

Amelia looked around and seeing the gallery, said, “I think I shall take a look at this quaint little gallery. You will find me there when you return .”

“Very well. It is my mother’s gallery and she will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding the artwork .”

Tea at Smith and Harlow’s was always a treat as it was considered the high-end tea shop in Cambridge. She would dress in one of her nicer dresses. Amelia was dressed elegantly and Diana did not want to seem shabby in comparison .

After changing, Diana went to the gallery where Mother was holding up a watercolor for Amelia who was holding a lorgnette to examine it closely .

“Most charming,” Amelia said as she closed the lorgnette and returned it to her reticule .

“Miss Amelia, I am quite ready now,” Diana said .

“Ah, excellent. I am quite parched.” She turned to Mother. “Charming little side business. It is so nice to keep occupied. Is that not so ?”

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