The book launchwas to be held in the lobby of the publishing house, and as Diana walked through, she could see the preparations being made for the ceremony. Chairs were being brought out and placed in rows in front of a lectern which was already in place. And at the far side, a table was being prepared for wineservice.
Sir Cecil was conferring with a colleague and he came over to greet her as sheapproached.
“How lovely you look,” he said taking her hand. “Are younervous?”
“Somewhat. Not so much because of the crowd, or the event, but because I might blurt out the wrong thing and compromise Robert’sanonymity.”
“I am sure you will be fine,” Sir Cecil said patting herarm.
Robert was already in Sir Cecil’s office as theyentered.
Robert nodded to Diana. “Goodmorning.”
Diana nodded back and was unexpectedly thrilled to see him. He looked so handsome, dressed up formally as he was in his navy-blue frock coat, starched white collar and teal green cravat. Her heart raced and she found it difficult to take her eyes off of him. Their eyes met and locked, but mercifully he was the first to lookaway.
Sir Cecil said, “Before you arrived, Robert and I were going over the schedule for the event. I am to speak first. Talk about the book and make note of some of the good early reviews the book has already received, and then I shall introduce you, Diana, as the author. Have you prepared what you wish tosay?”
“Yes, I have. I will introduce a brief description of the book and talk about why I have changed direction with my writing at this time. Talk about the restrictions of genre writing and say how I have longed to experiment with new directions and newvoices.”
“Excellent. I think we should keep the formal part of the presentation brief and allow more time for fans and reviewers to meet with you privately to ask questions. That way they can ask more detailedquestions.”
Diana nodded. “I amready.”
“And you are fully familiar with the book bynow?”
“Yes.”
Sir Cecil turned to Robert. “Do you have anything you want to ask orsay?”
“Yes.”
Robert went over to Diana carrying a small black velvet box about the size of a dessertplate.
“This is to thank you for your great service to me.” He opened the box and took out a three-strand pearl necklace. “I thought of you when I looked through the family collection and found this. It goes so well with your milkyskin.”
He then fastened it around herneck.
She put her hand to it and felt its smooth polished surface. “Oh, Robert, this is far too much.” But her heart was both racing and rejoicing. It was all she could do not to reach forward and embrace Robert. Only Sir Cecil’s close presence kept her from doing that. And she replied with a simple, “Thank you. You are most kind, and I am happy tohelp.”
“Very well, then,” Sir Cecil declared. He spread his arms as though he was about to herd a flock of geese, and said, “I think it is time for us to attend theceremony.”
* * *
Diana had been surprisedat the number of people attending the ceremony. There were far more people than chairs and a crowd had gathered at the back of those seated. She was pleased to see Adam come in and take a seat in an empty chair near thefront.
The ceremony was brief but successful, and the guests soon dispersed into groups. Some went to the drinks table for a glass of wine, others chatted amongst themselves, and many came over to chat withDiana.
Diana could see Adam standing aside, allowing her to be the center of attention. But she kept her eye on him to gage his mood. He seemed to be content with a glass of wine in his hand and was even engaged in conversation with a number of the otherguests.
But Diana’s attention was mostly on the various guests who wished to speak with her—either about a potential interview for their publication or from fans that had read her previous books and wanted to discuss why she had chosen to take her writing in this newdirection.
Sir Cecil was close by and setting up appointments with journalists who wanted to interview her. But Diana was holding her own and was especially enjoying speaking with the fans of her otherbooks.
She finally had a moment to look around the room for Robert. She spied him standing at the side of the lobby with his sister, Amelia, and a few others. However, he did not look at all pleased, and he appeared to be in some sort of an argument with a man who appeared to associate himself closely withAmelia.
Slowly the crowd began to drift away until there were only a few heavy drinkers skirting the winetable.
Adam came up to Diana who was now free, except for being in conversation with SirCecil.
