“How gracious ofyou.”
Miriam asked, “Tell us how he asked you. Was it veryromantic?”
Diana told the tale of his proposal in themeadow.
Geoffrey whispered to Miriam aside, loud enough that Diana could hear, “We need to get them a weddingpresent.”
“Not necessary. He has everything already. In fact, we have discussed having presents for theguests.”
“Oh, then we definitelywillbe there,” they said inunison.
* * *
Diana was getting absolutely no writing done,and probably would not until after the wedding. She was spending more and more time atBalfourHallworking with Amelia on planning the weddings. She actually spent more time with Amelia than she did with Robert, so he finally asked her if she wanted to have her own room atBalfouruntil the wedding, but she declined, saying she still needed to be with her parents, as it was particularly difficult for her mother to accept she would begone.
One morning soon after Diana arrived to work with Amelia, Robert asked her into the library where she was surprised to see Sir Cecil seated by the fire with a number of documents spread out on a table beforehim.
“Good morning, Miss Diana, or, as I shall soon need to say, YourLadyship.”
Diana laughed. “I shall always be Diana toyou.”
Robert took Diana by the arm and led her to thetable.
“I asked Sir Cecil here today because I have an issue I would like to discuss with both ofyou.”
Sir Cecil leaned back in the chair. “I amlistening.”
Diana sat down oppositehim.
Robert, as he was wont to do while thinking, began to pace. “Diana, I have been giving a lot of thought to our current arrangement regarding the publishing of mybook.”
“I have wondered about that since we are soon to be married. I considered we might have to make somechanges.”
“Yes, and what neither of you knows is that, even though he is soon to become my brother-in-law, The Viscount of Berwick still holds a threat over me. He hasnotagreed to never reveal that I am the author of my book. He seems to relish holding that power overme.”
“But you agreed to the canal,” Dianasaid.
“I did, but although he has agreed not to use that information right now, he could in the future, and I am no longer willing to offer him thatpower.”
“And how do you plan to deal with that?” Sir Cecilasked.
“By announcing publically that I am the proud author of my book. And after that, he can no longer threatenme.”
“Robert… I… is that wise?” Sir Cecil sputtered. “Your reputation… myreputation…”
“I know. I know. And that is why I have asked you both here today. You see, I have been thinking about this a great deal. We all know how ridiculous the idea is that a nobleman may not publish a work of fiction. The idea is outdated, outworn, and ready to be discarded. It just needs a courageous individual to take the risk and be out in the open. And that is exactly what I intend todo.”
“Oh, Robert…” Diana gasped. “What a stunning idea. Why have you not done thisbefore?”
“To be honest, I knew I would soon need to find a wife and I thought it might ruin any chance I had for happiness by driving all suitable prospects away. But now I haveyou.”
Diana smiled. “You certainlydo.”
Sir Cecil still did not seem to be convinced. “It could ruin my publishing house, Robert. I do not think I could support thisidea.”
“Then what about if I bought an interest in your publishing house and published the book myself under my ownname?”
“Oh, my… Robert. Then we would all go down in flames,” Sir Cecil saidnervously.
