“Miss Diana, I have just come from the most momentousmorning.”
“Oh?”
“I have agreed to accept the Viscount’s proposal, as yousuggested.”
“Oh, Robert. I know you will ultimately be happy with that decision. I am very proud of you.” She gave Robert’s hand asqueeze.
“And I must tell you that Amelia and the Viscount are now engaged to bemarried.”
“That is good news, as well,” Diana said with asmile.
“And, she has given me the most pleasingsuggestion.”
“Yes?” she asked, glancing up athim.
“My sister is many things. She can be thoughtless, mean-spirited, and even cruel, but she made the most astonishing observation about me that rang so true, it literally took my breathaway.
“You are being very mysterious,Robert.”
“I am finding my courage to say what Imust.”
Diana stopped and turned to him. “Robert, why ever would you need courage to ask meanything?”
He turned and looked her directly in the eyes. “Because she recognized what I had not been able to recognize myself. She fully realized that I loved you and she bade me act upon myfeelings.”
Diana caught her breath and held her hand to her breast. “Robert, I do not understand. You know I am to bemarried.”
“Of course, I do, but I can no longer repress my deep love and abundant longing for you. And even if I am rejected, I must speak. I must ask—will you marry me and become the Countess ofDonnelly?
Diana was speechless and began to visibly shake. She put both of her hands to her mouth and stared atRobert.
“I… I… Oh, Robert… I do not know what tosay.”
“I have sensed that you might have feelings for me. Tell me truly, could you loveme?”
“Robert, I am alreadyengaged.”
“Then break off the engagement. What can he possibly offer you that Icannot?”
“Nothing. However…” Shefaltered.
“What? Tell me what the impedimentis.”
She bowed her head and said softly, “Adam arranged a loan to my father so that we might secure our leasehold and not lose the house. Adam made it clear that the loan was contingent on our beingmarried.”
“But disregarding that fact, do you loveAdam?”
She hesitated, but said, “I care for him. Ido.”
“But do you love him, Diana?” Robert asked, determined to force theissue.”
Diana looked Robert directly in the eyes, “No, I do not love Adam Hardy. I love you, Robert, Earl ofDonnelly.”
Robert’s heart leapt and he took Diana in his arms and held her tightly to him. And then releasing her he steppedback.
“I love you too, Diana Browning. And I think I might have the solution to your concern. Might we go back and speak to yourparents?”
She nodded and took his arm and they headed back toward the cottage both so filled with emotion neither couldspeak.
