Diana uncovered her eyes and saw that the twins were making Christmas tree decorations .
“We cannot really afford a bought wedding present, so we are making these for your Christmas/wedding tree. I hope you like them,” Geoffrey said .
Diana inspected the beautifully made ornaments made from heavy felt cut into the shapes of stars, shields, birds, and Christmas trees. Then they were taking apart old costume jewelry and sewing them onto the felt along with sequins and decorative fabric trim .
“Oh, these are beautiful. Can you have these ready by the middle of December? I want to use them on the tree we will be setting up in the main hall .”
“Yes. They should be ready in another week or two .”
Diana went over and gave each one a hug. “You are the best friends anyone could ever wish for .”
“Do you want to help us?” Geoffrey asked. “I know this is your gift, but this is s-u-u-c-h a lot of w-o-r-r-k .”
Diana laughed. “I would love to. Just show me what you want me to do .”
As they settled into work, Diana asked Geoffrey, “How is the teaching going ?”
“Got dumped .”
“What? Oh, Geoffrey, whatever for ?”
“They said the kids I was teaching were smarter than I was. I believe that was a total lie, but I think it is a rather great excuse and I rather like the idea .”
“So now what?” Diana asked .
“We are considering submitting him to a mental institution as he seems to be totally useless,” Miriam said .
“Not so,” Geoffrey complained. “I am very good at raking leaves, digging in soil, and sleeping .”
“I have an idea,” Diana spoke up. “Robert tells me the man who takes care of his conservatory is looking for an assistant as he plans to retire in a few years. Is that something that might interest you? I could ask Robert to talk to him about it .”
Geoffrey sat up straight and looked very alert. “Oh, yes, I should like that very much. And I would actually be paid for that ?”
“I believe so. It is a regular job .”
“He might just be very good at that,” Miriam added. “If I can ever get him out of the house .”
“You would have to get to Balfour from here each day. Can you do that ?”
“How long is it to walk ?”
“At least an hour .”
“What… Both ways ?”
“I am afraid so .”
“Maybe I could just sleep in the stables and come home on the weekends .”
“No, there are quarters for the staff. If that would suit you .”
“But then you would be my mistress and I would need to address you as My Lady .”
“We will see about that. Do you want me to talk to Robert about it ?”
“Yes, please,” Geoffrey said beaming .
*
R obert and Diana were sitting in the window seat of her new study at Balfour . They had been working together all afternoon preparing the room for her. Workmen had been painting, rehanging paintings and installing new drapes to her specifications. Even her favorite little desk from home had its new place of prominence by a window with her favorite view of the park .
Darkness was coming on earlier each evening as the month of December progressed toward the solstice. Diana was wrapped in Robert’s arms as they watched in silence as the light faded away and the thin slice of a new moon was just appearing .
Robert had just returned from London where he had been busy negotiating with Sir Cecil and his partner for the purchase of his share of the publishing house. “Tomorrow or the next day, when you have a moment, we will need your signature on a number of papers regarding the transfer of my book back to my name so that we may republish it .”
Diana turned her face slightly toward him. “Are you excited about that ?”
“I am. And what would you think, instead of taking a regular honeymoon, we rent a villa on the Amalfi coast of Italy and spend a few months writing our first book together? I was thinking of a title—The Truth Behind the lie, A Tale of Literary Deceit . ”
“Oh, my… Not sure about the title. It sounds so ominous .”
“But it would sell .”
Diana laughed and then sighed. “My poor readers will be so confused .”
“There will be plenty of time to rehabilitate your reputation with your loyal readers. But I think we should write this book together as we were both co-conspirators .”
Diana chuckled. “Very well, but it must also be a romance—our romance. Then it will really sell .”
Robert laughed. “What would I do without you ?”
“Well, fortunately for you that is nothing you need worry about .”
Diana snuggled up closer to Robert as it began to cool down. He put his arms more tightly around her .
“And I was thinking, now that we are about done with your study we should take a look at redecorating the nursery. How does that sound?” he asked .
“I think that is a splendid idea, however, it is not something we need to rush into until after we get back from Italy .
*
D iana was standing by with a basket of tree decorations from the twins as several of the household staff positioned the Christmas tree perfectly in the great hall. Amelia was directing the operation with her usual charm .
“No, no, no, you lug-heads. It is still crooked. More to the left. No, idiots my left .”
The men were struggling to adjust the tree by tilting it in its stand. But Diana put down her basket and went over to the tree and folded a piece of paper, inserting it under a leg of the stand, and the tree was perfect .
“There now, we can begin the decorating?” she asked smiling .
She went over and linked her arm with Amelia’s and asked, “And what wonderful family decorations do you have for the tree ?”
“We have the most charming candle holders. And for a tree this size we will need to have hundreds. You should see when they are all lighted. It is pure magic .”
Diana presented her basket. “And these will be the new family heirlooms—our wedding present from my dear friends the Sinclair twins. All hand made .”
Amelia picked one up and examined it. “Most charming,” she said acidly, dismissing it back into the basket .
“Amelia,” Diana said gently. “These are lovely decorations. Please do not be dismissive of my friend’s work. It is most impolite .”
Amelia turned and scowled at her. “If they were up to my standards of quality, there would be no need to be impolite .”
“And if you were up to my standards, I would not have to mention this,” Diana replied .
Robert had appeared just in time to catch this interaction. He came over and picked up one of the decorations from the basket and examined it. “Did I hear you say these are our wedding present from the twins ?”
“Yes, they are .”
“You must personally thank them for me. And tell them how charming they are and what a great contribution they have made to both our Christmas and weddings.” He then went over and placed the first ornament on the tree. Then he turned to Amelia and nodded toward the basket. “And would you like to hang the next one ?”
Epilogue