“But listen to what you just said. ‘Youcarefor him.’ You did not say youlovedhim,” Miriam pointedout.
Diana nodded her head several times but could not answer that. She sat thinking for several moments and then stood up. “I had better be going. Now that I am home again, I need to step up and help around the house. I know Mother has missed me doing my regular chores while I wasgone.”
The twins went over to Diana and they gave her ahug.
After they released, they each took one of Diana’s arms and led her to the frontdoor.
“Let us know if you need anything from us,” Miriam insisted as Diana started down the front walk to thestreet.
Diana waved. “I will. Thank you for thetea.”
As she walked home, Diana knew she had been evading some of her thoughts and feelings around the marriage, but she also knew that no arrangement was perfect. And she had to remind herself, once again, that it was Adam arranging the loan that had saved the family home. And even though she had doubts about Adam’s maturity, she also knew that he would grow and mature with time, and eventually, he would make a wonderful husband. She was certain ofthat.
As she walked in the front door, her mother called out to her from the kitchen. “You missedtea.”
Diana went to the door. “I hope you did not wait for me. I had tea at thetwins.”
“Oh, good. I have had mine but I would make you some if youwanted.”
“I am fine. Thankyou.”
Mother reached into her smock pocket and pulled out an envelope. “The Earl dropped this by while you were gone. I was not sure where you were, but he asked me to give this to you as soon as youreturned.”
“Thank you,Mother.”
Diana opened theletter.
Miss Diana,
As I was uncertain if you would be home or not, I prepared this note in case you weregone.
I need your advice and council on a most important and private matter. You are the only person to whom I can trust with this matter as it concerns our agreement on thebook.
I shall be at my river cottage and I would be ever so grateful if you could come visit me as soon as you receive thisnote.
I shall stay here until youarrive.
Your DevotedServant,
Robert
This was certainly a mysterious message.After reading, she said to her mother, “I must go visit the Earl at his river cottage. I shan’t be too long. I hope to be home in time to help with supper.” She turned to leave but stopped. “How is Father? He seemed tired atluncheon.”
“He tires easily these days. I believe he is taking hisnap.”
“Then I shall be backlater.”
It was a late September afternoon. The late morning and early afternoon had been warm but it was rapidly cooling down, so Diana wrapped a wool shawl around her shoulders and headed down the street to the end where there was a rank of hansom cabs. It was too far to Robert’s cottage towalk.
She hired a cab and, as she headed toward the riverside cottage, she began to think about Robert. After her conversation with the twins, she could not help but compare Adam to Robert. She tried to think about Adam, but all she could picture was Robert. The very thought of him sent a chill down her spine as she began to remember how his firm hands felt the few times he had touched her and how she had reacted. This was not an appropriate thought, and she pulled her shawl more tightly around her shoulders and shook off all thoughts of Robert except for the visit with him thisafternoon.
The cab arrived at the cottage. She paid the cab fare and went to the cottage door andknocked.
Robert opened the door promptly. “Oh, I am so pleased you could make it, Diana. Please comein.”
He put his hand on her shoulder as he led her down the hallway toward the sitting-room, and she needed to calm her rush of feelings by moving away from him once they were in theroom.
“Can I make you sometea?”
