Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Shortly her mother joined her .

“India or China today, Mother?” Diana asked .

“I would like Chinese today,” she said as she took the tea out of the cupboard, before sneezing several times .

“Very well. And I would like a few of your delicious oat and raisin biscuits to go with that,” Diana added as she opened the biscuit tin and placed it on the table .

They prepared the tea and sat at the kitchen table .

“I was thinking…” Mother said. “Might we not have a reception after your Father’s investiture for all those of our friends who will not be at the fete ?”

“Mother, that is a delightful idea. When were you thinking ?”

“Since the fete is on a Saturday I was thinking we might hold it here Sunday afternoon. Or do you think his rooms at college might be better?” She sneezed again and wiped her nose with the handkerchief she kept tucked into the pocket of her painting smock .

“Oh, I like the idea of the college. After all, the honor is for his scholarly work and it would be convenient for all of his academic colleagues to attend. What refreshments are you thinking we might serve ?”

“Wine and beer for drinks and I suppose we could make some tasty treats for a buffet table .”

“Then let us plan the menu this afternoon and I can check with Father about who he should like to invite .”

Mother sneezed several times again .

“Mother, are you falling ill ?”

Mother blew her nose. “I do not know. But I have been sneezing all morning and I must say my throat tickles and I am feeling a little off .”

Diana stood and went to her mother to feel her forehead for a temperature .

“Mother, you are burning up! You best get right to bed .”

“But the gallery… And my painting …”

“I will take care of that. Come on, up to bed with you now,” Diana insisted, as she helped her mother stand, and began leading her toward her bedroom .

“But your writing …”

“Mother, not now. I will care for the gallery. I can write when there are no customers .”

“Very well,” she said and started sneezing again. “Maybe your father can help as well .”

“He has plenty going on with his teaching and finishing the book. Please do not worry about anything except getting better .”

Diana led her mother to the bedroom, prepared her for bed, and made sure she had water on her bedside table. Then she brought her a newly poured mug of hot tea with a medicinal touch of cognac, lemon, and honey .

This certainly did disrupt Diana’s plans for the day. She had planned to write all morning, shop for dinner after lunch, and then pull the recipes for whatever dishes they selected for the buffet .

After settling her mother in comfortably with an extra comforter thrown over the bed, Diana ran down to the gallery. However, she forgot her writing and thought to go back but she saw a couple waiting at the gallery entrance .

“Good morning,” she greeted. “Sorry for the delay, and how may I help you?” she asked, as she ushered them into the gallery .

The woman pointed to a watercolor and said to her husband. “Ooo, I like that one .”

The man turned to Diana. “We shall just browse for the moment. Thank you .”

“Let me know if you have any questions .”

“Who is the artist?” the woman asked .

“Most of the paintings are by my mother. This is her gallery .”

“Oh, might we meet her ?”

“I am sad to say she is under the weather at the moment .”

“Pity.”

They continued browsing .

The couple wandered around the gallery for half an hour but ended up leaving without buying anything .

After they left, Diana wanted to pop upstairs and get her writing, but just as she was preparing to leave a group of five people wandered in .

This pattern persisted for another hour, but finally, she caught a break and dashed upstairs to check on her mother who was peacefully napping—the very best thing .

Diana was headed toward her room to get her writing when her father peeked out of his study as she went by .

“Oh, Diana, might I have a word ?”

“Father, Mother is ill in bed and I am watching the gallery. I really cannot stop now. Come down to the gallery if you need to speak with me .”

Father looked down the hallway toward their bedroom. “Oh, is it serious ?”

“I believe it is just a cold, but it might be a good idea if you could fetch Doctor Russhaven to take a look at her .”

“I shall do that .”

Diana forgot about her writing and started for the stairs when she thought about the post investiture celebration and stopped and turned back to her father .

“Father, Mother and I got the idea to hold a reception for you and your friends on the Sunday after the investiture. Please stop by when you can so we can discuss the details and the guest list .”

“What a lovely idea. Let me fetch the doctor and then I will stop by your room to chat .”

“No Father, I am in the gallery until Mother gets better, remember ?”

“Ah… yes… the gallery. I will try and remember .”

Diana sighed, trotted down the stairs, and went to the gallery, forgetting her writing once again .





Chapter 19





R obert was at breakfast in the dining room, reviewing his list of tasks yet to be accomplished for the fete. Robert had a number of errands that he needed to run in Cambridge. He could send one of his staff members, as they were not errands that particularly required his personal attention, but he had to admit he really wanted to stop in and say hello to Diana. He missed her. Should he be admitting that? Probably not. But he could not help himself .

“Good morning, Robert,” Amelia greeted, as she entered the dining room and went to the buffet table where she served herself breakfast from the morning’s offerings .

A footman served her tea as she sat at her place .

“How are your efforts for the royal visit going?” Robert asked. “Do you feel overwhelmed ?”

“Not too badly. As you know, I have a very capable staff .”

“As do I,” Robert replied .

“All is on track and I expect a warm and felicitous welcome for Their Majesties when they arrive,” Amelia said as she began her breakfast .

“I am to visit Cambridge this morning. Is there anything you need that I can get for you ?”

“Errands, or pleasure?” Amelia asked .

“Errands, of course .”

“Hmm. And would your journey include a visit to that writer lady ?”

“Diana. Her name is Diana .”

“Di-an-a,” she enunciated clearly .

“It might. And what concern of yours is that, might I ask ?”

“None. But I seem to remember that she is engaged, is that not so ?”

“It is. But, as I have mentioned many times before, we have a professional relationship .”

Amelia ate her breakfast in silence for a time, and then said, “No, there is nothing I need from Cambridge .”



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