“Then we shall have a delightful conversation until you return. I still have a number of details I should like to discuss with you .”
“We should not be too long .”
“Father, come. We must leave now,” Diana insisted .
Father nodded to Sir Desmond and gathered together Diana and Adam, and they left to finally secure the leasehold for the next fifty years .
Chapter 17
T he House of Lords was in session and Robert and Amelia had gone down to London and were staying in their house in Bedford Square. Robert also wanted to meet with his London property agents to review his holdings and Amelia wanted to shop .
The Viscount of Berwick was also in attendance at the first meeting of the Lords, and Robert did everything he could to avoid the gentleman. However, just as Robert was slipping out of the chambers, he was accosted by Ludlow and a few other honorable gentlemen and he could not conveniently escape without making a scene and embarrassing himself .
“Robert, Amelia told me you would be coming up for the session .”
“As you can see,” Robert answered curtly .
“I am giving an intimate dinner party next Wednesday. You and Amelia must attend. Aggie will be there, as will Constance and the Bradfields. It will be most amusing .”
“I will need to check with Amelia to see if she is engaged that evening .”
“She is. She has already accepted my invitation .”
This put Robert in a most awkward position. “Very well. If she has already accepted then I am much obliged. However, I trust there will be no discussion of your damned canal .”
The Viscount smiled enigmatically and said, “I would not dream of it. Absolutely no discussions of business at dinner. Strictly not comme il faut . However, I know how much you enjoy contemporary literature. I feel certain there are many interesting topics we might engage in at table on that subject. Particularly exploring new books coming out in the autumn. No ?”
Robert did not like the sound of that. Had he learned of Robert’s publishing venture? But he was only concerned right now with getting away from the Viscount. He could deal with the consequences of his acceptance to dinner later if need be. One could always find an excuse and a way out of any engagement .
“Good day gentlemen,” he said, turning to leave for his chambers where he could remove his ceremonial robe .
As he was leaving, he was approached by a gentleman he recognized from Her Majesty’s court .
“My Lord Donnelly, might I have a word with you?” the gentleman asked .
“Certainly. How may I be of service ?”
“Her Majesty requests your attendance at the palace tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. Is that convenient ?”
“Tell Her Majesty it will be my great pleasure to attend .”
“My Lord,” the man said, nodding and turning away .
A royal summons? Not unheard of but a surprise, nonetheless, as he could see no reason for her request .
*
T he next morning, he appeared at court dressed in the appropriate formal wear and on time .
He was ushered to the Queen’s morning chambers where he was announced. The room fronted the palace and was spacious but sparsely furnished. The sun streamed in though large windows, but the queen was shaded by a wall that backed her desk where she sat reading the daily papers sent to her from parliament .
Crossing the room to her Majesty, Robert stopped, bowed, and waited for her to speak first. It was also customary for him to remain standing during the interview .
“My Lord Donnelly,” she addressed him, “It is a pleasure to see you again. And how is your charming sister ?”
“Very well, Your Majesty. She sends you her warmest regards. She has hopes of seeing you again soon .”
“And that is exactly why I have summoned you. I remember so fondly our stay at Balfour last summer. I remember how delightful it was sipping champagne in your Roman temple by the lake. And as I was longing to get away from London I wanted to see how you felt about another royal visit ?”
“It would be my greatest pleasure and honor to welcome you. Have you set a date ?”
“I know it is rather sudden but we were hoping to escape the palace in late June. Would that be convenient ?”
“My only commitment is to the fete I host each summer at Balfour . I believe it is the last Saturday of June .”
“That sounds delightful. I have not visited a fete in years. When I was a young girl, I used to escape the family’s summer confines and walk anonymously amongst the village folk each summer at our local fete. I even participated in a tug of war once. Fell flat on my derrière. Mamma had a fit when I returned with a muddy frock .”
“Your Majesty… How very daring of you .”
They both laughed .
“Everyone sees me as this rather prudish matron, but I am a married woman and I have my less formal side, shall we say .”
“As I have witnessed. The warm side of a lovely lady .”
“Not that I do not have my trials and tribulations …”
“I understand parliament has been a particular thorn in your side regarding Albert’s memorial .”
The queen nodded. Then she picked up a paper from her desk .
“Which brings me to my second request .”
“However I might be of service,” Robert replied .
“I have an honors investiture for a gentleman in your neighborhood and I thought it might be a nice gesture if we were to hold it at Balfour during my stay. What would you say to that ?”
“During the fete, perhaps ?”
“Lovely idea. A little pomp and pageantry for the locals. I like that .”
“And who is the gentleman in question ?”
The queen picked up her lorgnette and examined the paper. “Professor George Browning of St. John’s College, Cambridge. Might you have heard of the fellow ?”
“Indeed I have, Your Majesty. He was a lecturer from my university days. And he is a current acquaintance through his daughter Diana, with whom I have a professional relationship .”
The queen smiled. “A romance, perhaps ?”
“Alas, not so. The lady in question is engaged to be married. Our relationship is strictly professional. We have a business arrangement .”
It certainly would not do to tell Her Majesty of his budding career as a novelist .
“Lord Donnelly, you are not married are you ?”
“Not yet .”
“Pity. A handsome and prosperous young gentleman as yourself should be setting an example to the sometimes shiftless lower classes. Marriage is a respectable institution that must be upheld by the aristocracy as a model of social propriety. Should it not ?”
“Most certainly, Your Majesty .”
*
“O h, Robert, how could you?” Amelia demanded. “How are we to prepare for a royal visit in two weeks? Do you have any idea of the work involved ?”
Robert and Amelia were at dinner later that evening in their London house. Robert just beamed at her. “But Amelia, my dear, you are so competent. I have no doubt you and the staff can accomplish miracles in half the time .”