“Maybe I could just sleep in the stables and come home on theweekends.”
“No, there are quarters for the staff. If that would suityou.”
“But then you would be my mistress and I would need to address you as MyLady.”
“We will see about that. Do you want me to talk to Robert aboutit?”
“Yes, please,” Geoffrey saidbeaming.
* * *
Robert and Dianawere sitting in the window seat of her new study atBalfour. They had been working together all afternoon preparing the room for her. Workmen had been painting, rehanging paintings and installing new drapes to her specifications. Even her favorite little desk from home had its new place of prominence by a window with her favorite view of thepark.
Darkness was coming on earlier each evening as the month of December progressed toward the solstice. Diana was wrapped in Robert’s arms as they watched in silence as the light faded away and the thin slice of a new moon was justappearing.
Robert had just returned from London where he had been busy negotiating with Sir Cecil and his partner for the purchase of his share of the publishing house. “Tomorrow or the next day, when you have a moment, we will need your signature on a number of papers regarding the transfer of my book back to my name so that we may republishit.”
Diana turned her face slightly toward him. “Are you excited aboutthat?”
“I am. And what would you think, instead of taking a regular honeymoon, we rent a villa on the Amalfi coast of Italy and spend a few months writing our first book together? I was thinking of a title—The Truth Behind the lie, A Tale of LiteraryDeceit.”
“Oh, my… Not sure about the title. It sounds soominous.”
“But it wouldsell.”
Diana laughed and then sighed. “My poor readers will be soconfused.”
“There will be plenty of time to rehabilitate your reputation with your loyal readers. But I think we should write this book together as we were both co-conspirators.”
Diana chuckled. “Very well, but it must also be a romance—our romance. Then it will reallysell.”
Robert laughed. “What would I do withoutyou?”
“Well, fortunately for you that is nothing you need worryabout.”
Diana snuggled up closer to Robert as it began to cool down. He put his arms more tightly aroundher.
“And I was thinking, now that we are about done with your study we should take a look at redecorating the nursery. How does that sound?” heasked.
“I think that is a splendid idea, however, it is not something we need to rush into untilafterwe get back fromItaly.
* * *
Diana was standingby with a basket of tree decorations from the twins as several of the household staff positioned the Christmas tree perfectly in the great hall. Amelia was directing the operation with her usualcharm.
“No, no, no, you lug-heads. It is still crooked. More to the left. No, idiots myleft.”
The men were struggling to adjust the tree by tilting it in its stand. But Diana put down her basket and went over to the tree and folded a piece of paper, inserting it under a leg of the stand, and the tree wasperfect.
“There now, we can begin the decorating?” she askedsmiling.
She went over and linked her arm with Amelia’s and asked, “And what wonderful family decorations do you have for thetree?”
“We have the most charming candle holders. And for a tree this size we will need to have hundreds. You should see when they are all lighted. It is puremagic.”
Diana presented her basket. “And these will be thenewfamily heirlooms—our wedding present from my dear friends the Sinclair twins. All handmade.”
Amelia picked one up and examined it. “Most charming,” she said acidly, dismissing it back into thebasket.
“Amelia,” Diana said gently. “These are lovely decorations. Please do not be dismissive of my friend’s work. It is mostimpolite.”
Amelia turned and scowled at her. “If they were up to my standards of quality, there would be no need to beimpolite.”
“And if you were up to my standards, I would not have to mention this,” Dianareplied.
Robert had appeared just in time to catch this interaction. He came over and picked up one of the decorations from the basket and examined it. “Did I hear you say these are our wedding present from thetwins?”
“Yes, theyare.”
“You must personally thank them for me. And tell them how charming they are and what a great contribution they have made to both our Christmas and weddings.” He then went over and placed the first ornament on the tree. Then he turned to Amelia and nodded toward the basket. “And would you like to hang the nextone?”
