“I see. Then perhaps you might enlighten us ladies as to what we should wear as well .”
“I have given your father a complete list of sartorial requirements.” Sir Gerald stopped and reached into his case and pulled out a letter. “Ah, I almost forgot. Lord Donnelly asked me to deliver this to you, Miss Browning .”
Diana took the letter. “You are most gracious. Thank you .”
She wanted to read the letter immediately, but dinner also needed to be prepared. “If you will excuse me, I shall leave you to my father. Good day to you, Sir Gerald .”
“Miss Browning,” he stood again as she left the sitting room .
Diana went directly to her room and opened the letter .
M y Dear Miss Diana,
You can imagine the chaos at Balfour as we prepare for Her Majesty’s visit. Both Amelia and I are spinning in place as we deal with all the details necessary to host the Queen and prepare for your father’s investiture at the fete .
Forgive me for not dropping in to visit with you since my return from London, but I will just report that the publication of the book is on track and it will not be long now until we will be off to London for the book’s launch and promotion .
I trust your writing is going well. But I am ashamed to say I have not written one single word. However, I have a great excuse as one does not entertain the royal court every day .
I do look forward to seeing you, your parents, and the Sinclair twins at the fete and although you may be preempted from being the Lords of the fete this time—after all a queen has precedence, is that not so?—I promise you shall be the queen of the fete next year. How does that sound ?
I believe Sir Gerald will be informing your father of all the details for the investiture, but know that I shall be sending my carriage for your family—and friends—on the day of the fete. Protocol demands that your father not arrive in a rented horse and cart. (I hope you do not take offense at that requirement )
Amelia is presently insisting I attend to her immediate needs so I shall close this letter .
Ever your Servant ,
Robert Donnelly
H mm, Diana thought. What was that all about? It was nice of Robert to write, but the letter seemed to be more of a note from a suitor than a colleague. And while it warmed her heart that he was so caring it also reminded her that she was engaged .
Oh, dear. She must go down and start supper, as Adam would be here before she knew it .
She scurried downstairs and began working in the kitchen .
*
T hat evening after supper, Mother and Father remained in the kitchen as Diana and Adam went out to the garden in the mid-evening light. Father remained behind to read the newspaper as Mother washed up and then sat at the kitchen table and took out her needlework .
The garden air was fresh but not chilly. The western sky was the colors of apricots and cream. They walked through the garden silently for a time. Occasionally Diana would stoop to deadhead a group of flowers .
“How are the arrangements going for the wedding?” Adam asked .
“I believe Mother and I are to go to London next week to meet with your mother to plan the ceremony .”
“Yes, Mother said something to that effect,” Adam replied .
“And the exams?” she asked .
“Completely finished, Lord be praised .”
“And the dissertation ?”
“Coming along. But you know how writing can be …”
“I do. Not always as smooth as one would like. Am I right ?”
“Yes. Excruciatingly so .”
They laughed .
Adam reached over and put his arm through Diana’s as they continued to walk about the garden .
Finally, they came to an apple tree with a bench below it and they sat. Diana leaned against the back of the bench while Adam sat leaning forward with his arms resting on his legs, hands folded .
“Have you thought about where we might live when we return from the honeymoon?” Diana asked .
Adam turned to look at her. “At my parents for the time being .”
“Oh…”
“That does not suit you?” he asked somewhat annoyed .
“Well, I was hoping we might have our own house or flat ?”
“At London prices? Unlikely. My starting wages at the publishing house will be quite modest, to begin with,” Adam declared .
“But I have income,” Diana reminded him .
“Yes. But it is my responsibility as your husband to provide for my family .”
“Oh, Adam… If we are man and wife might we not share all we have with each other ?”
“It is not proper. You will need your pin money .”
Now, this irritated Diana. “I make considerably more than just pin money, Adam. I fully expect to contribute equally to the family. And, if that is the case, might we not afford a decent home, separate from your parents ?”
“Is there something wrong with my parents,” Adam demanded .
“Absolutely not,” Diana insisted. “But I do not want us to be an imposition on them. And I believe we deserve our privacy so that we may entertain and I might write .”
“Entertain? Why ever would we do that?” Adam asked .
“I have new responsibilities now as the Earl’s representative of his book .”
“Oh, that…” Adam did not seem at all pleased to be reminded of that fact. He stood up and walked away down the garden path. Then turned and said, “I just hope you remember to whom you are to be married, Diana .”
“And just what does that mean?” she asked as she now stood up .
“It means that I feel that I am being pushed to the side as your career seems to be taking precedence over our marriage .”
Diana stopped and just looked at Adam. “Oh, my darling, you know that is not so.” She went to him and took him by the arm, and then leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek .
“But that is how I feel sometimes,” he added pouting .
“I am sorry. I certainly do not mean to make you feel that way. But you know how Father’s investiture, my writing, the Earl’s publication, and our marriage are all coming together at the same time. It will not always be like this. Things will settle down once we are married and living in London .”
“Will they ?”
“I certainly believe so,” Diana said, but in her heart, she was not all that certain. “Come, I am feeling a chill. Perhaps you would like some after dinner coffee now?” she asked, then leaned over and gave him another reassuring kiss on the cheek .
“That does sound nice .”
By now the sun had set, there was a definite chill in the air, and the sky had turned a pale lavender with streaks of pink. Diana gave a slight shiver and Adam put his arm around her shoulders as they strolled leisurely toward the house .
Just before they entered the house, Adam turned to her and said, “I will look into finding us our own residence. And to be quite honest, I think being at my parents’ would be an imposition for them as well .
*
T he next day at morning tea time, Diana went down to fetch her mother as usual. As she entered the gallery she saw her mother was with a customer. She mimed that she would start the tea. Her mother nodded back .
Diana went into the cottage and began heating the kettle and laying out the tea service .