“No, I would like that. And it would give us an opportunity to get to know one another if we are to plan our weddingstogether.”
“Then I will suggest the dual wedding tomorrow when we are all together. And while I think of it, when do you plan to go to London to meet withAdam?”
“Oh, dear, yes, I still need to face that, do Inot?”
“Do you want me to go to London with you? You can stay at the London house. Amelia may be there as well, as she is ordering her wedding dress. And perhaps she might help you withyours.”
“Yes, I might like that, but I do not want you to go with me when I meet withAdam.”
“No, I understand that. But while I am in London, I will arrange for the papers to transfer the leasehold to the freehold for your father, and I can give you the funds at that time to repay Adam’s father for the loan.” Diana looked dejected. “It is not a very happy conclusion, I know. But it is necessary if we are to moveforward.”
She looked up at Robert. “Iknow.”
The waiter brought the soup course andserved.
As they started to eat, Robert said, “Enough about wedding details for one evening. Let us just enjoy our time together and our new relationship. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to having you as my wife, Diana. Now Amelia will have no more excuses to thrust eligible young maidens atme.”
“And I shall stop bracing myself to accept Adam as myhusband.”
* * *
The Earl’scoach had come to collect Diana and her parents the next morning as planned. There had been champagne toasts, well wishes, a few tears and an agreement by Amelia to hold their joint weddings at Christmas—pending Ludlow’s approval. And as the festivities died down, Amelia asked Diana to meet with her privately, for a brief moment, before the scheduledlunch.
Amelia welcomed Diana into her chambers and bade her take a seat by the fire. She sat opposite, studying Diana until Diana started to becomeuncomfortable.
“Amelia… I may call you Amelia now, may I not?” Dianaasked.
“Ofcourse.”
“Did you invite me to your rooms to discuss something inparticular?”
“You are very clever, MissDiana.”
“I beg your pardon,” Diana said, “You say that as though it was an insult or anaccusation.”
“Oh, no. It is just a recognition that you are much more cunning than Iexpected.”
“Cunning? And how do you figurethat?”
“You played Robert sobeautifully.”
“Played him? Excuse me, but I have no idea what you are talking about. How, exactly, did I playhim?”
“Oh, the little innocent… Always playing so charming and naïve. But, in the meantime, manipulating Robert, the Earl of Donnelly, to find hersoalluring that he just has to marryher.”
Diana signed. “Oh, Amelia, I do not want our relationship as sisters to start out likethis.
“No. No. Brilliant.” Amelia threw her hands up in the air and paced as she spoke. “A simply brilliant stroke to convince Robert to accept the canal deal. Thinking by that you would win me over and insinuate yourself into this family and become the Countess of Donnelly. Justperfect.”
Diana could not understand what was happening here but defended herself by saying, “Wait. Wait. I do not understand. Robert told me you encouraged him to ask me to marryhim.”
“Well, I have changed mymind.”
“Why do you do this? Do you want to make him unhappy? Do you want to anger him? I cannot understand yourmotive.”
“I do not trustyou.”
“And why not?” Diana said determined not to beintimidated.
“I see me in you. Cunning, manipulative and ruthless. I see behind your façade of sweetness and innocence. As they say, ‘it takes one to knowone.’”
“I am truly sorry for you, Amelia. You totally misunderstand me. I have only Robert’s best interests at heart and I would never use falsehood to get my way. And I will do everything in my power to show you my real self and convince you otherwise.” Diana stood. “I will not tell Robert of our conversation. I do not want him to know how unkind you have been tome.”
“And you say you never use falsehood. Is that not exactly what you are threatening to donow?”
Diana shook her head, and then she realized what actually might be happening here. “Amelia, I believe you are playing a game with me. Is that not so? You are playacting with me. You mean absolutely nothing of what you just said, doyou?”
Amelia said nothing for a moment but smiled. “Brava. You are as astute as Robert says you are. Now we can be the very best of friends. And you must come shopping with me when you are staying with us in London. I know all the best shops and we will make sure you have an absolutely divine weddinggown.”
As Diana left the room her head was spinning. She had absolutely no idea who Amelia was. Should she tell Robert what just happened or not? But she had to laugh because if she did not tell him, then Amelia would be right—she would be engaging infalsehood.
