* * *
It was already late afternoon,but Robert was not about to wait until tomorrow morning. He raced to the stables, saddled his horse, and lit out for Cambridge as fast as his horse would carry him. It was late afternoon by the time he reached the Browning’s cottage. He did not bother to stable his horse but tied it to the front fence and ran to the door and knockedloudly.
The door was answered by George. “My Lord, what a surprise. Were we expecting you? My memory is not what it was and it is possible I forgot all about your coming. Are you here fortea?”
“Your daughter. I must speak with her.” He looked past George to see if she might be in thekitchen.
George seemed uncertain. “Oh, Diana… let me think. I do not believe she would be at her writing this late in the afternoon, but I can go check if youlike.”
“No, thank you, I will ask her mother. She mightknow.”
“Splendid idea, I believe she must be in thegallery.”
“Yes, I know,” Robert said, already retreating and heading out the frontgate.
He burst into the gallery. “Good day, Mrs. Browning… Diana, do you know where I might findher?”
Ann thought for a moment. “Yes, I believe she either went to visit the twins or she went for a walk in the meadow. However, it is a bitchilly…”
But Robert had already left and was racing down the street toward the Sinclair’s. He stopped and knocked rapidly at their door. Miriamanswered.
“Oh, hello, Robert. How lovely to seeyou.”
“Diana, is she withyou?”
“Ah, no,but…”
Again Robert was already racing away. He scaled the stile and began looking for Diana across the meadow. Then he saw her far ahead walking with the Goodwinsisters.
“Damn. Another delay,” he said to himself. But he raced forward and was out of breath by the time he reachedthem.
“Good afternoon,ladies.”
Diana turned to him, surprised to see him. “Robert. What a surprise. We did not have an appointment scheduled, didwe?”
“No. However, I should very much like to speak with you… privately,” he said, tipping his hat to the sisters. “Ladies, it is a pleasure to see youagain.”
“And you, Milord,” Kittyreplied.
Robert took hold of Diana’s arm and pulled her aside and whispered, “Might I have a moment alone withyou?”
Diana seemed to be slightly flustered by his insistentdemand.
“Yes, you may, but I am with the sisters and I cannot abandon them out in the meadow. Can it wait until we reachhome?”
Robert had to constrain himself, but he said, “Of course. I shall be happy to accompany you three back to yourhouses.”
Diana smiled. “Excellent.” She turned to the sisters. “Would you mind us returning home now? The Earl has an urgent matter he needs todiscuss.”
“Oh, we can take ourselves home. That is not a problem at all. You go ahead and walk together and we will make our own wayhome.”
“Are you certain that is fine with you?” Dianaasked.
“Of course, dear. We are accustomed to walking out here frequently. And thank you for accompanying us this far.” They turned and began walking back, turning their heads and giving a littlewave.
As the sisters retreated, Robert and Diana fell into step beside each other. Then Diana said, “The leaves are turning nicely. It is an early autumn this year, do you notthink?”
Robert did not reply, but took her hand, almost without hernoticing.
