Amelia nervously pushed the food around on her plate with her fork. “But it is not just a royal social visit but a formal investiture as well .”
“That is to be held at the fete, and since I am managing that, I shall take full responsibility for organizing that event .”
Amelia took a sip of her wine. “I do not suppose you ran into the Viscount of Berwick at the Lords yesterday, did you ?”
“I did. And it seems you accepted a dinner engagement for us for next Wednesday without consulting me .”
“It seemed harmless enough. And I know you so enjoy the company of the Bradfields. Ann is so bright and charming and Chester is always good for a laugh or two .”
“Well, I do not see how it is possible for us to attend now, do you ?”
Amelia frowned. “And why not ?”
“Well, as you yourself said, we have a royal visit to prepare for. And only two weeks to organize it. I think we must return home immediately tomorrow morning .”
‘But… oh, Robert, you are a terrible person. How you vex me with your idiosyncratic behavior. I have not done but one third of my shopping, and I have scheduled ever so many teas with old friends. Now you are saying we must abandon London ?”
“But my dear Amelia, I could hardly refuse her Majesty’s request for a visit, now could I ?”
Amelia sighed and pointed to the footman to serve her another glass of Burgundy .
Robert had become curious lately about Amelia’s relationship with the Viscount and asked, “My darling sister, you seem to have a close and reoccurring relationship with Ludlow Russell. I see you riding off in the direction of his estate quite frequently. Are the two of you courting ?”
Amelia looked at him over the rim of her wine glass—her eyes penetrating. “What would make you think that? He is a neighbor with whom I share certain interests. We amuse each other. That is all .”
But she looked away, which Robert took to be a sign that she was lying. After all, he had known her all his life and knew her ways .
“The Viscount said the strangest thing to me when he invited us to his dinner party,” Robert continued cautiously .
“And that would be ?”
“He remarked upon my interest in contemporary literature and hinted at my particular interest in new books coming out in the autumn. Rather strange do you not think? It makes me think that he somehow knows about my book. You have not said anything to him about me being published, have you ?”
“Of course not. I would never betray a family secret. You know that.” Again, she did not look Robert in the eyes .
Robert continued to study her and then asked. “Do you remember when we were children? I think I must have been about seven and you were fourteen. I seem to remember that I had done something quite naughty …”
She laughed. “Yes, you were playing with Father’s watch—the one that played music when you opened it .”
“Yes. That was the incident .”
“And you were swinging it by its chain from the balustrade above the entryway staircase, pretending it was an incense censor .
“Like we saw at the Catholic service when we visited Italy with the parents that summer .”
“Yes.”
“And I dropped it .”
“Smashing it into oblivion .”
They both smiled as they recalled the incident .
“And what did you do?” Robert asked .
“I told Father it was I who had dropped it,” Amelia said shyly .
“Yes, you did. And what did he do to you ?”
“Confined me to my chambers for a month. No riding. No playing. No friends visiting .”
“Because you protected me from punishment .”
Amelia smiled and wagged her head. “No, Robert, not because he thought I broke the watch. He knew it was you. He punished me because I had lied to him .”
Robert was aghast. “I did not know that. Then why didn’t he punish me as well ?”
“I suspect because you were the heir apparent—the favored male child .”
“Oh, Amelia. I am truly sorry about that .”
“And what good does that do?” she asked bitterly. “It is all in the past. Our parents are gone and you have become the head of the family .”
“And Amelia, what do you want for yourself? You are thirty-seven and unmarried .”
“And destined to become a spinster… is that what you are saying ?”
Robert could see he had probed a sore spot. “Not at all. You are an attractive and strong woman. Certainly, there must be many men who would be more than interested in courting you, and you have a substantial living to bring to a marriage .”
“Then where are the offers of marriage?” she asked, as the footman refilled her wine glass for the third time .
“I suspect that your very strength might intimidate some men,” Robert said honestly. “You need someone of equal strength to match you in marriage .”
“No one wants a harpy, is that what you are saying?” she asked, rising from her place at the table and finishing off her glass of wine .
“Amelia…”
“Then let me clearly state that I am not about to change. If men find me intimidating that is too bad for them. I am quite content being who I am and will make no excuse for it. And all I will add is that Ludlow Russell takes me for who I am and respects me for it .”
“Then you and Russell are courting ?”
“Perhaps.”
*
B alfour Hall could certainly accommodate a royal visit. It had many times before—from as early as the seventeenth century with the first visit from King Charles the Second. But the task of preparing for a royal visit was enormous. Not only did Victoria need to be catered for but also her large retinue of attendants and servants. And it could not be considered a proper house party without inviting other selected aristocratic guests (list provided by the Queen’s primary attendant) and their servants, as part of the royal couple’s entertainment .
The first order of business for Robert and Amelia when they returned from London was to confer with the bevy of cooks to plan meals for the entire occasion. And again, not only were the meals for the guests to be planned for, but also the menu for all of those attending to the guests .
Amelia had her own personal staff to help organize her side of the preparations, while Robert could call upon many of his household staff and local dignitaries to help with the organization and setup of the fete .
One morning, shortly after they returned from London, Robert was conferring with one of his groundskeepers about public access to the park where the fete was to be held when Sithens appeared in the blue drawing room .
“Milord, there is a gentleman from the Queen’s household who wishes to see you .”
Robert was somewhat distracted by his current task and said, “Please take him to the library, ask if he needs refreshment, and tell him I shall be with him shortly .”
“Very good, Milord .”
After his meeting with the groundskeeper, he went directly to the library .
“Robert Donnelly,” Robert introduced himself .
“Sir Gerald Conty,” the gentleman said. “I have been asked by the Queen to help organize the investiture during her attendance at Balfour .”