He noticed the pearl necklace, seemed surprised, and asked, “Those pearls, I do not rememberthem.”
Diana hesitated, as she fingered the pearls, but said, “They are my mother’s. She lent them to me for theoccasion.”
“They are lovely. Will you be ready to leave soon?” he thenasked.
“I still have a number of things to go over with Sir Cecil. I have a lot of interviews lined up and we need to plan those out. Do you want to wait or do you need toleave?”
He seemed torn, but answered, “I’d like to leave, but how will you gethome?”
Sir Cecil said, “I will have a carriage available to her when we finish. Feel free to leave if you like, youngman.”
Adam turned toDiana.
“That will be fine, Adam,” she said. “I know this has been a long morning. Why not go home for lunch and I will join you as soon as I amable.”
“Very well.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “It seemed to go very well for you. Are youpleased?”
“Yes, Adam, Iam.”
She watched as Adam left the building then turned back to Sir Cecil just as Robert joined them. Sir Cecil asked Robert, “How do you feel the launchwent?”
Robert appeared to be slightly distracted but he said, “I think it went well. Diana, you handled the opening statement superbly. And what a crowd surrounded you after thespeech!”
“We have any number of requests for interviews and Diana and I were just going to sort them out. Do you want to join us?” Sir Cecilasked.
Robert considered then said, “I think not. I have an urgent property issue I must deal with, but Diana, might we meet later before you return to your fiancé’s? I should like to hear about your experience with the launch in more detail. Teaperhaps?”
“I am expected back for lunch shortly, but I could meet with you later. Say fouro’clock?”
“AtFortnum’s?”
“That will be fine. Untilthen.”
