Robert ordered the tea and used the time to get a better hold of himself. If he revealed his feelings for Diana he knew he could ruin both of their lives. He must stop and not utter a single word to her about how deeply he cared for her .
After the waiter left with the order, Robert smiled and said, “You really were splendid at the book launch this morning. I can see that my faith in you was sound .”
Diana seemed somewhat disoriented by their sudden shift in conversation but said, “Yes, I, too, felt it went well. It was most satisfying to interact with my readers. I have not had the opportunity before to listen to their reactions to my other books. It was most gratifying .”
“And do you have a sense of how they might react to your new direction ?”
“I have to say they seemed somewhat puzzled as to why I would make such a change when what I was writing was already so well received .”
“And do you foresee a problem ?”
Diana was thoughtful before replying, “Our explanation for going in this new direction has always seemed to me to be a bit tenuous. I think we will just need to wait and see .”
The waiter pushed his cart forward and served the tea and accompanying cakes and sandwiches .
“Now that you are past the Queen’s visit, have you been able to do any writing?” Diana asked .
“I can give you a dozen excuses—I have been preparing for the book launch—I have been attending to my properties—I have been doing research. But they would all be only excuses. And the simple answer is that I am completely blocked. I can see my limitations, and my belief is that I must adventure once again if I wish to write once again .”
Diana laughed and seemed to be more at ease than she was when she first arrived. “I do understand. And to be quite honest, I, too, have stalled on the Christmas chapter I am writing for Sir Cecil. However, I do have a legitimate excuse. You see---you are my problem,” she said teasingly .
However, Robert felt a jolt as his first response to what she said was that she might be battling with feelings for him, as he was battling with his feelings for her .
“However do you mean?” he finally managed to ask .
“Well, I have been so absorbed in mastering your book and preparing for the launch that I have had no time for my own work .”
Her answer was a disappointment to be certain, but he managed to reply, “Then you may instruct Sir Cecil to scold me for delaying your new book .”
She smiled shyly, “I already have. But he doesn’t take my excuses lightly and returns all the blame back on me .”
Robert laughed. “However, I must tell you I am well into reading your second book .”
“And?”
“To be honest, it does not pull me in the same way your first book did .”
“Oh…”
“Not to say it is bad—it just does not speak to me as directly as your first .”
“Perhaps because it is a more feminine book. It is filled with sisters and daughters and a host of other women .”
“That may be it. Your first book did have more male characters, to be sure .”
A silence fell over them momentarily. Then Robert asked, “Is your wedding to be held in Cambridge or in London ?”
Diana looked up at Robert with almost an air of sadness. “Here in London at the Hardy family church, with a reception at a local hall they have rented .”
“And am I to be invited to the wedding ?”
Diana appeared to be nervous as she answered. “Oh, Robert, that was one of the things that Adam and I were tasseling about at lunch. He insists that the guest list be family only .”
“Oh…”
“But I believe he is jealous of you and doesn’t want you invited because of that .”
He didn’t answer but just nodded .
“We have not settled the matter yet, however, and I am still struggling to have the guest list opened up .”
“No. He is right. It is best if you do not invite me. He should not be uncomfortable at his own wedding .”
“But he has nothing to be jealous of,” Diana stated somewhat hesitantly, “Does he ?”
Robert was not about to respond to that question, but he looked at her with intense love in his eyes. She would just need to answer that question for herself .
*
T he next afternoon, Robert was with one of his property managers—a portly, red-faced man who wheezed when he breathed—in the library of his London house. They were discussing various properties that Robert owned outside of London .
“Yes, you own a dozen or more properties in Cambridge—eight outright and six freeholds. Did you not remember that, sir?” the manager asked .
Robert answered, “I do recall something of the fact. But it has been so long since I had anything to do with them, I have mostly forgotten. Are there any issues with them that must be addressed ?”
The manager consulted the paper. “Well, the good news is that one of them has just had one of the leaseholds renewed. That will bring you a tidy profit as there is no upkeep involved .”
That set Robert to thinking and he asked, “And the name of the renewed leaseholder ?”
“George Browning. I believe he is a professor at one of the colleges at the university .”
Robert smiled. “Really? George Browning. I know the gentleman. Well, of all things …”
There was a knock at the door and Amelia entered part way, saying, “Ludlow would like to have a word with you, Robert .”
He looked up, annoyed. “Tell him I am busy .”
“He says it is important and urgent .”
Robert stood up from his desk. “Oh, Amelia… Really? Urgent? What can be so urgent he must disturb me at my work ?”
She inclined her head and said, “He promises not to take up a great deal of your time .”
Robert shuffled some papers on his desk as he tried to decide what to do. “Oh, very well.” He turned to his manager. “Will you excuse me for a moment? If you will just wait outside I will be with you again shortly .”
“Very good, Milord .”
Amelia had retreated and returned with the Viscount. As they came in, the manager left the room .
Robert was not about to modulate his displeasure of needing to deal with Ludlow. “And what is so urgent you must upset my day ?”
The Viscount took his time. Not seeming to be rushed even though he had stated the matter was urgent. Amelia hung back by the door, with an enigmatic smile .
“If this is more nonsense about your damned canal then just turn around and walk right back out,” Robert insisted .
“Well, it is and it is not,” was all Ludlow would say at first .
“Damn man, you are infuriating. What is it you want ?”
The Viscount took a turn about the room as if studying the shelves of books, before saying, “I am here about the canal, however, circumstances have changed and I believe I am now in a better position to elicit your agreement to my proposal .”
Robert was becoming restless and agitated. “And what do you think has changed that will make me change my mind about accepting your absurd proposal to buy my land for your canal ?”
“I have new and pertinent information that might help you see the value in my proposal .”