“Oh, my… Robert. Then we would all go down in flames,” Sir Cecil said nervously .
“I doubt that Cecil. I have a hunch that the scandal that you fear will, indeed, cause a firestorm. And that will create an enormous amount of publicity and the book will fly off the shelves. It will become a cause célèbre. The issue will be wildly debated and finally, it will become accepted as the new normal .
“And I am willing to guarantee any losses you might incur due to the scandal. After all, I have just made a very profitable deal from the sale of my land for the canal. And I am willing to wager all of that profit on the success of my book with me as the recognized author. Now, what do you say, Cecil ?”
“Well, I have to say, I am warming to the idea. And do you still want to buy into the publishing house ?”
“I do. Why not make a profit on my book as the author—but also as the publisher .”
“Hmm. Not so sure I want to give up an interest in my publishing house now. You are far too confident and most likely will be successful,” Sir Cecil chuckled .
Robert turned to Diana. “And how do you feel about this? It means exposing us both as frauds for deceiving your readers and the public .”
Diana considered that a moment and answered, “Actually, I think the story might make an interesting book in itself. We could write a roman à clef novel together that would explain the deception in fictional terms. Everyone would have such fun with trying to figure out who was who in the story .”
“Oh, now I like that,” Sir Cecil said. “That has enormous potential. And we could become known as the publishing house that dares to stretch the boundaries of convention .”
“And once we are married, we could be known as the daring couple that defies all,” Robert said going over and picking Diana up and embracing her. “We are going to become danger incarnate .”
“Ah, the perfect slogan for our new campaigns,” Sir Cecil said standing up and raising his arm in the air like he was waving a sword .
Chapter 30
M other stood in the doorway to Diana’s room as Diana was going through her books deciding which to take to Balfour and which to leave behind .
“Mother, you are hovering. Did you want something?” Diana asked .
Mother wiped a tear and stifled a sniffle. “I do not understand why you are packing to leave so early? The wedding is still a month away .”
Diana turned to her mother, “Because I am trying to prepare in stages. I am not leaving home until just before the wedding. I have explained that already .”
“But it seems like you are eager to leave us,” she whimpered .
Diana went over and took her mother in her arms. “I am eager to be married, but I am not eager to leave you. Can you understand that ?”
“I suppose so,” Mother said, as she withdrew from Diana’s embrace and blew her nose .
“And remember I am always only a short drive away. It takes no more than half an hour for me to come back for a visit. And you both are welcome to come and visit at any time .”
“I know, but seeing you packing is making it seem so real and so final .”
“I am not packing I am simply organizing my books. Now run along, it is time to open the gallery .”
Mother turned to leave but stopped and put her hand on the door frame, “And if there are grandchildren?” she said hopefully, “Then they can come and visit ?”
“Of course. And you and Father can come to Balfour and stay as long as you like. I was thinking we would have a set of rooms that was just for the two of you. You could come and go as you like. It will be just like a second home .”
Mother smiled. “Oh, now that does sound nice. I would not need to cook there, would I?” And she finally left .
Diana looked at her writing table. It was small because it fit unobtrusively in her small room, but at Balfour , there was abundant space and she could have as large a desk as she wanted and would have her own study just for writing. But she felt a pull as she contemplated leaving this cherished desk behind, and decided it should go with her .
Diana decided it was time to visit with the twins and, as she was leaving, she passed by her father’s study and he called out .
“Diana, dear, might I have a word ?”
Diana went into his study. His desk was piled high with stacks of books, manuscripts in various stages of completion, and a dozen or so papers from his students that needed to be read. There were also four or five cups of unfinished tea scattered around the room .
“Yes, Father. And how are you this morning ?”
“Somewhat discombobulated,” he said, waving his hand over his desk. “I never seem to get caught up with anything, do I ?”
“I am on my way to see the Sinclair twins, is there anything particular you wanted to speak to me about ?”
Father stopped and needed to consider that. “Yes, there was something. Now let me see, what was it?” He perused his desk looking for the answer. Then he remembered. “Ah, yes, it was about the wedding. Come sit with me for a moment .”
Diana pulled up a chair next to his desk .
“Your mother and I have been discussing what to give you for a wedding present. She wants it to be a surprise, but I want it to be just right. I know there is not much we could afford to give you that the Earl does not already have. There will be many expensive gifts from all of Robert’s wealthy friends and we cannot compete with that. So, I wanted to get your ideas about what might be something special that would be meaningful to the both of you that other guests might not be giving .”
“What about that wonderful quilt that grandmother made by hand? It would always be there to comfort both Robert and myself and would constantly remind us of you .”
“But that does not seem to be enough as a wedding present?” Father said. “Certainly it should be something more significant than an old used quilt ?”
“Oh, no, Father. The value is not in what is spent in money, but what is given in love .”
Father blinked several times and wiped his eyes. “Very well, I shall suggest that to your mother, although I might need to convince her that is what you really want .”
Diana went over and kissed her father on the forehead. “It is. I assure you .”
*
A s Diana walked over to visit with the twins, she realized this might be nearly the last time she would have time to visit with them until after the wedding, as things were about to get very hectic at Balfour with the approaching weddings and Christmas .
The twins’ mother greeted Diana and sent her to the dining room where the twins were working at the dining table. When they saw her, they let out a yelp and tried to cover up what they were working on .
“Oh, you have ruined the surprise,” Miriam wailed .
“I am sorry. I did not see anything,” Diana said, covering her eyes .
Geoffrey said, “It does not matter. We have to give her these early anyway .”
“Yes, that is true. Very well, you may look,” Miriam instructed .