Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

*

D iana’s trip back to Cambridge was uneventful. She had nothing to reproach herself for and had to smile at Adam’s over protectiveness. But what a relief it was to be home. After unpacking, she sat at her desk and practically purred, she felt so happy to be sitting where she would write again very soon. However, her mind was still in a whirlwind after all the events and excitement of the London book launch. She felt she needed to integrate the many varied experiences and settle into herself before she would be clear and calm enough to start writing again .

After spending some time with her parents over breakfast, telling them about all of her adventures in London, she decided it was time to visit with the twins. And as it was a Saturday she had hopes of finding them both at home at the same time .

As she approached the Sinclair house she spied Geoffrey raking the newly fallen leaves in the front garden .

“You see the slave I have become?” he groused, as he raked the leaves into a pile. “I spend my weekdays slaving away at the primary school, and then, when I struggle home weary and worn, I am forced, like the slave you see, to rake the leaves on the weekend. See how I suffer, Diana ?”

She laughed. “Oh, Geoffrey, I would sympathize with you if I could, but I am sorry, I just cannot. You are such a big baby. Everyone works and everyone has chores. It is part of life. Get used to it .”

He pouted as he leaned against his rake. “Not you too…” he wailed .

“Come. Offer me some tea and I shall tell you all about my adventures in London .”

“Now, that is more like it. Tea. Yea .”

Diana took his arm as he led her inside the house .

“Is Miriam at home, I do not want to recite all of this twice .”

“She is. I believe she is being extremely lazy in the bathtub, luxuriating in hot water and a snowstorm of bath bubbles. I shall inform her you are here .”

He disappeared and Diana stretched out her arms across the back of the sofa while she waited for her hosts .

Shortly Miriam appeared in a terrycloth robe, with her hair wrapped in a towel .

“Oh, Diana, how lovely. Geoffrey has gone to the kitchen to put the kettle on. Are you going to tell us all about your escapades in London? Was the book a success ?”

“All will be revealed in good time. But first tea .”

Geoffrey brought out the tea and while Miriam dried her hair with the towel, Diana told them all about London and the book launch. The twins were pleased to hear her tales and asked ridiculous questions but when Diana was finished, Miriam asked how the wedding plans were progressing. There was a flicker of something in Diana’s eyes and she pressed further. “What? You are not telling us something .”

Diana hesitated but finally said, “It is nothing.” She brushed cake crumbs off her skirt .

The twins leaned forward and asked in unison. “It is not. There is something up. Tell us all .”

Diana sat back on the sofa and considered how much to say. But knowing the twins, the less she said the better .

“Well…” Diana started hesitantly, “Adam…” She was finding it very difficult to move forward .

“Adam what?” Geoffrey pushed. “He smells? He has six toes? He has no teeth ?”

“He walks in his sleep? He murdered his mother? What?” Miriam continued .

“I am not sure he is really ready for marriage the way I am,” Diana finally said .

The twins were silenced. They looked at each other. “Are you cancelling the wedding?” Miriam asked, thunderstruck .

“No. Not at all. It is just… I do not know how to describe it. I think for the past few years he has been so wrapped up in his studies and his dissertation that he has had little time to grow up as a man. He seems to be so ill-prepared for the responsibilities and the difficult decisions that marriage demands. I do not know what to do ?”

“Might you postpone for a while ?”

“It has crossed my mind. But there have been so many preparations already made. And Adam has been obsessive about organizing the honeymoon. I get these glimpses of us later on. Married, settled, living a rather predictable and controlled life. I am not sure that is what I want. And I do not know if he is flexible enough to be spontaneous and adventurous in the way I would like to be. Does that make any sense ?”

“Well… ye-e-e-s,” Geoffrey insisted. “Run, run, run .”

Diana shook her head. “But I still care for him .”

“But listen to what you just said. ‘You care for him.’ You did not say you loved him,” Miriam pointed out .

Diana nodded her head several times but could not answer that. She sat thinking for several moments and then stood up. “I had better be going. Now that I am home again, I need to step up and help around the house. I know Mother has missed me doing my regular chores while I was gone .”

The twins went over to Diana and they gave her a hug .

After they released, they each took one of Diana’s arms and led her to the front door .

“Let us know if you need anything from us,” Miriam insisted as Diana started down the front walk to the street .

Diana waved. “I will. Thank you for the tea .”

As she walked home, Diana knew she had been evading some of her thoughts and feelings around the marriage, but she also knew that no arrangement was perfect. And she had to remind herself, once again, that it was Adam arranging the loan that had saved the family home. And even though she had doubts about Adam’s maturity, she also knew that he would grow and mature with time, and eventually, he would make a wonderful husband. She was certain of that .

As she walked in the front door, her mother called out to her from the kitchen. “You missed tea .”

Diana went to the door. “I hope you did not wait for me. I had tea at the twins .”

“Oh, good. I have had mine but I would make you some if you wanted .”

“I am fine. Thank you .”

Mother reached into her smock pocket and pulled out an envelope. “The Earl dropped this by while you were gone. I was not sure where you were, but he asked me to give this to you as soon as you returned .”

“Thank you, Mother .”

Diana opened the letter .



M iss Diana,

As I was uncertain if you would be home or not, I prepared this note in case you were gone .

I need your advice and council on a most important and private matter. You are the only person to whom I can trust with this matter as it concerns our agreement on the book .

I shall be at my river cottage and I would be ever so grateful if you could come visit me as soon as you receive this note .

I shall stay here until you arrive .

Your Devoted Servant ,

Robert



T his was certainly a mysterious message. After reading, she said to her mother, “I must go visit the Earl at his river cottage. I shan’t be too long. I hope to be home in time to help with supper.” She turned to leave but stopped. “How is Father? He seemed tired at luncheon .”

“He tires easily these days. I believe he is taking his nap .”

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