Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“Then I must practice up for the egg and spoon race if I am to be a serious contender,” she said teasingly .

“I think Her Majesty will expect your family to be in attendance to her during the afternoon .”

“Then perhaps I might beg of Her Majesty a brief moment to cheer the twins on in any event they may choose to enter .”

“Good day, Miss Diana. And all the best wishes for your mother’s speedy recovery .”

“Thank you, Milord .”

Robert was stung by her use of Milord, but he deserved it. He was behaving outrageously cool to her, but he had no choice. It was either that or make a complete fool of himself—behaving badly toward her by revealing his deep passion .

He turned his back to her and headed toward the stable and the completion of his errands .



*

A melia found a moment to sneak away while Robert was in Cambridge. She rode over to Luddy’s estate and called upon him. But she was informed that he was engaged with a number of engineers going over plans for the canal project .

“Might I see him briefly,” she asked Danton who seemed to disapprove of her unannounced visit .

“I shall see if he can tear himself away from his meeting,” Danton said acidly .

He left her waiting at the front door, not even inviting her into the entry hall .

Presently Luddy appeared. “Amelia, and to what do I owe the honor of this visit ?”

“It is hardly an honor when your domestic keeps me waiting on your doorstep,” she said, pushing her way past him into the house .

“This is not a good time, Amelia,” he said, taking her by the arm and restraining her from entering further into the house .

She pulled her arm away from his grasp .

“Do not be a fool, Luddy. I have come with what might prove to be important information for you .”

“And what is that ?”

“I happened to see a letter from Robert’s publisher this morning with a list of the events where his book is to be publicized. I thought it might be useful information. Of course, I have no idea how you might use that information, but nonetheless …”

“You would do that for me?” he asked, gently stroking her hand .

“Two words… seven and a half percent and marriage .

“That was more than two words .”

Amelia waggled her head. “Then take me to court .”

“And you brought this information with you ?”

“What? Do you take me for a fool? I want a formal proposal of marriage in writing, and I want to know exactly what your plans are for Robert. I assume you have… how shall I say this?… methods to persuade him to agree to the canal? But I want in no way to be implicated in any of your schemes. After all, he is my baby brother and I am very protective of him .”

“And that is all?” Luddy asked amused .

“And I want my seven and a half percent in a letter of credit, payable to me, that can be cashed at any UK bank. Am quite I clear ?”

Luddy reached over and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “You are so adorable. How you amuse me .”

Amelia was not to be distracted by his sweet talk. “And when I have the promise of marriage I shall supply you with the list of events. You know where to reach me,” she said and then swept out of the house .





Chapter 20





F inally! Diana had a whole morning to herself for writing. Even though the Goodwin sisters had helped mind the gallery, they were infrequent attendants and Diana found herself sometimes minding the gallery, constantly running up and down the stairs tending to her mother, or coordinating with her father over the reception at the college .

Her mother had struggled with the cold for a full week, but now she was back in the gallery, and while she was still weak and unable to paint, she was able to run the gallery .

Diana worked hard all morning and finished the story in one sitting. It was now after lunch and her mother was settled in the gallery. Her father was in a tutorial at the college so Diana decided it was time to read the rest of her story to the twins .

Miriam opened the door .

“Put the kettle on. It is time for me to finish reading the Christmas story .”

“Geoffrey,” Miriam shouted. “It is time to hear the rest of Diana’s story .”

Geoffrey appeared from the kitchen with an apron on. His face, hands, hair, and shirt front were covered in flour .

“I am learning to bake,” he said. “I’ve decided to apprentice as a baker .”

“Then why are you not apprenticing? Why are you here?” Diana asked, ever amused by her friends .

“Oh, I could never go to a lesson unprepared. I am making bread. Want to see ?”

“Of course .”

Geoffrey led Diana and his sister into the kitchen. It looked as though it had recently snowed inside. There was more flour on the kitchen surfaces than there was in the rather strange looking lump that Geoffrey proceeded to knead on the table .

“It is quite pretty, do you not think?” he asked, rather hoping she would agree .

“Geoffrey, I have made many loaves of bread and none of them ever turned out looking like that. It is as hard as a rock .”

“Well, the dough was like soup so I kept adding flour. Too much, do you think ?”

“Why not take a break. Make us some tea and I will finish reading you the Christmas story .”

Geoffrey stared at his doughy mass and answered, “That sounds like a very good idea. Sis, put the kettle on .”

Once tea was served and all were settled in, Diana began reading the remainder of the story from where she left off last time .

Tommy returned to the butcher shop .

“Sir, I am ready for my next task,” he said bravely, still smarting from the fall .

The shop was filled with customers doing the last of their Christmas dinner shopping .

Customers were shouting orders and the butcher was working as fast as he could. He turned to Tommy and asked. “Can you lend me a hand here? I’ve only got two hands and two dozen customers .”

“I can, sir .”

Tommy went right to work, asking what each person wanted. And even though he was too short to be seen above the counter, the lady customers were delighted with his willingness to help and his eager smile .

Tommy wrapped each chop, chicken, or roast quickly after the butcher weighed it and collected the money from the customer .

They stayed open much later than the usual closing time, and by then, there was hardly any meat left to sell—a few pieces of liver, some chicken feet, and a sheep’s head that was only suited for making soup stock .

As the last customer left and the butcher locked the front door, Tommy collapsed onto the floor behind the meat counter. If he had two more minutes he would have fallen asleep .

The butcher came over and looked down at Tommy. “You done a good job today, lad. And I am sorry about your fall .”

Tommy looked up and gave a weak smile. “Thank you, sir .”

The butcher went into the back of the shop and came out with a large package wrapped in butcher paper .

“Here you go. This be your wages for the week. And son, if you are so inclined, I would like to offer you a permanent job. You did fine work today .”

“How much you payin’?” Tommy asked .

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