“I understand. But I prefer Dom so that is not a problem for me .”
Robert ordered the champagne and, unlike Adam, he let Diana choose for herself what she wanted for dinner .
“What would you think about a Christmas wedding?” Robert asked .
“That sounds lovely. Do we have enough time to plan ?”
“It is only late September. If I can organize the Queen’s visit in less than two weeks I believe we can organize a wedding in less than three months .”
“But you will have a lot of important guests, will you not? Will there be enough time for them to plan with their busy schedules ?”
“If not, then let them suffer the loss .”
She laughed .
“I should like you to come to Balfour tomorrow so that we may announce our engagement to Amelia and my staff. I will send the carriage for you in the morning. And your parents may want to join us. I shall also arrange a luncheon if that suits you. Will ten o’clock be satisfactory ?”
“Yes. That will be fine .”
The waiter brought the champagne and they toasted .
“To my future bride .”
“To my beloved husband .”
“And one more thing, then we can just relax and enjoy our dinner,” Robert added .
“Yes?”
“Since Amelia is also to be married I was wondering how you might feel if we held both weddings at the same time ?”
“Oh, my… what do you think Amelia would think about that? Might she feel there would be less attention on her if it was also the Earl’s wedding ?”
“No, I think she would like it and feel honored .”
“I have no problem with that, but I do think you should ask her first. And how do you feel about sharing your wedding with the Viscount? It is my impression that you are not—best of friends .”
Robert laughed. “That is an understatement. But I feel it might help heal that relationship if we were to be married at the same time. But I want you to be certain you want this. It is your wedding too. Perhaps you may not want to share it with Amelia .”
“No, I would like that. And it would give us an opportunity to get to know one another if we are to plan our weddings together .”
“Then I will suggest the dual wedding tomorrow when we are all together. And while I think of it, when do you plan to go to London to meet with Adam ?”
“Oh, dear, yes, I still need to face that, do I not ?”
“Do you want me to go to London with you? You can stay at the London house. Amelia may be there as well, as she is ordering her wedding dress. And perhaps she might help you with yours .”
“Yes, I might like that, but I do not want you to go with me when I meet with Adam .”
“No, I understand that. But while I am in London, I will arrange for the papers to transfer the leasehold to the freehold for your father, and I can give you the funds at that time to repay Adam’s father for the loan.” Diana looked dejected. “It is not a very happy conclusion, I know. But it is necessary if we are to move forward .”
She looked up at Robert. “I know .”
The waiter brought the soup course and served .
As they started to eat, Robert said, “Enough about wedding details for one evening. Let us just enjoy our time together and our new relationship. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to having you as my wife, Diana. Now Amelia will have no more excuses to thrust eligible young maidens at me .”
“And I shall stop bracing myself to accept Adam as my husband .”
*
T he Earl’s coach had come to collect Diana and her parents the next morning as planned. There had been champagne toasts, well wishes, a few tears and an agreement by Amelia to hold their joint weddings at Christmas—pending Ludlow’s approval. And as the festivities died down, Amelia asked Diana to meet with her privately, for a brief moment, before the scheduled lunch .
Amelia welcomed Diana into her chambers and bade her take a seat by the fire. She sat opposite, studying Diana until Diana started to become uncomfortable .
“Amelia… I may call you Amelia now, may I not?” Diana asked .
“Of course .”
“Did you invite me to your rooms to discuss something in particular ?”
“You are very clever, Miss Diana .”
“I beg your pardon,” Diana said, “You say that as though it was an insult or an accusation .”
“Oh, no. It is just a recognition that you are much more cunning than I expected .”
“Cunning? And how do you figure that ?”
“You played Robert so beautifully .”
“Played him? Excuse me, but I have no idea what you are talking about. How, exactly, did I play him ?”
“Oh, the little innocent… Always playing so charming and na?ve. But, in the meantime, manipulating Robert, the Earl of Donnelly, to find her so alluring that he just has to marry her .”
Diana signed. “Oh, Amelia, I do not want our relationship as sisters to start out like this .
“No. No. Brilliant.” Amelia threw her hands up in the air and paced as she spoke. “A simply brilliant stroke to convince Robert to accept the canal deal. Thinking by that you would win me over and insinuate yourself into this family and become the Countess of Donnelly. Just perfect .”
Diana could not understand what was happening here but defended herself by saying, “Wait. Wait. I do not understand. Robert told me you encouraged him to ask me to marry him .”
“Well, I have changed my mind .”
“Why do you do this? Do you want to make him unhappy? Do you want to anger him? I cannot understand your motive .”
“I do not trust you .”
“And why not?” Diana said determined not to be intimidated .
“I see me in you. Cunning, manipulative and ruthless. I see behind your fa?ade of sweetness and innocence. As they say, ‘it takes one to know one .’”
“I am truly sorry for you, Amelia. You totally misunderstand me. I have only Robert’s best interests at heart and I would never use falsehood to get my way. And I will do everything in my power to show you my real self and convince you otherwise.” Diana stood. “I will not tell Robert of our conversation. I do not want him to know how unkind you have been to me .”
“And you say you never use falsehood. Is that not exactly what you are threatening to do now ?”
Diana shook her head, and then she realized what actually might be happening here. “Amelia, I believe you are playing a game with me. Is that not so? You are playacting with me. You mean absolutely nothing of what you just said, do you ?”
Amelia said nothing for a moment but smiled. “Brava. You are as astute as Robert says you are. Now we can be the very best of friends. And you must come shopping with me when you are staying with us in London. I know all the best shops and we will make sure you have an absolutely divine wedding gown .”
As Diana left the room her head was spinning. She had absolutely no idea who Amelia was. Should she tell Robert what just happened or not? But she had to laugh because if she did not tell him, then Amelia would be right—she would be engaging in falsehood .
Chapter 29