Amelia was shocked at Robert’s language but did not allow it to dim her pleasant smile. “But Robert, this is a project that will benefit the entire county. Do you not believe it is worth a few moments of your time to hear his ambitious and excitingplans?”
Robert glared at her. “Has he bribed you, or are you simply under histhrall?”
Amelia lowered her eyes in mock hurt. “Robert, how could you accuse me of suchdeceit?”
“Oh Amelia, my darling sister, I know you all too well. However, I shall save you concern for the rest of the evening by saying up front that I have other plans for after dinner. Sir Cecil and I will be arranging our agreement with Miss Browning for her to be my surrogateauthor.”
Now it was Amelia’s turn to scowl. “You are truly going through with this absurdconceit?”
Robert patted her cheek. “Yes, dear sister, I am. And you may inform your co-conspirator that there will be no meeting with him this evening—or any evening it is about the canal. I shall not have my land cut in half by a publicwaterway.”
Then he took her arm and led her to meet Diana and theBrownings.
* * *
Before directingthe party to the dinner, Robert excused himself and went to the dining room to inspect the guests’ place cards. He had been placed at the head of the dinner table, as expected, and Amelia had placed Lady Wilton to his right and herself to his left. Robert knew that she was trying to control the dinner party so he switched a number of the place cards to make an arrangement to his satisfaction—placing Diana and her father to his left andright.
He instructed Sithens to call the guests to dinner and he stood at his place and watched the guests wander into the dining room and begin to search for their places at the table. Amelia, of course, went directly to where she expected to sit, only to find Diana had already found her place next to Robert. She took a step back and found her new place which was between Lord Booth and Bridget Simpson-Wright. And the Viscount was placed at the far end of the table with Diana’s mother to his left. However, he was across from Lady Hortense, and that seemed to pleasehim.
Robert smiled as the guests were seated and saw Amelia furiously twisting her handkerchief and casting glances at the Viscount, trying to catch his eye. But he was hidden behind a flower arrangement and already engaging in conversation with LadyHortense.
Robert ignored them and turned to Diana. “A most charming gown, Miss Diana. It would be the perfect selection if you ever have your portraitpainted.”
Diana laughed. “Oh, I think that is highly unlikely—unless it is to scare the foxes from the chickencoop.”
George spoke up in her defense, “Daughter, you are as lovely as a sunset. And, of course, since we do not have a chicken coop, there shall be no terrified fleeingfoxes."
Robert turned to George and asked. “How many books have you published by now? I so enjoyed reading your critique of Marlow’s early works when I was an undergraduate at university. I believe it was considered ground-breaking at the time, was itnot?”
George blushed slightly, “Oh, my Lord, I do not know about ground-breaking, but it did cause a minor stir amongst the Marlow scholars back in itsday.”
“Father has seventeen books published, is that not so?” Diana said, turning to her father forconfirmation.
“Fifteen books and twopamphlets.”
“Remarkableaccomplishment.”
The footmen began serving the wine and Robert noticed that Diana’s mother seemed to be chatting along happily with LadyBooth.
Diana had turned to speak with Lord Booth and Robert turned back toGeorge.
“Professor, and how do you feel about having a daughter who has so successfullypublished?”
“Most gratifying, indeed. Three books already and she is only twenty-four.”
“A substantial talent I would say,” Robert said,nodding.
“Sir Cecil is pleased with her accomplishments. But if I might say, I am not quite sure I understand what all of this hush hush is about with you wishing to publish under hername.”
Robert put his finger to his lips and leaned in to speak softly. “My publishing must remain anonymous, and I do not wish these other guests to know about my work. This information must stay between your family and myself if youplease.”
George still did not seem to understand, and mumbled. “Most unusual… in myday…”
The footmen then began serving the soup course, as Bridget Simpson-Wright turned to Robert and asked, “My Lord, Tabitha tells me you were in London recently. Did you attend the theater or the opera? I understand there is the most shocking review at theSadler’s Wells. Did you seeit?”
“That would beSylvia’s Triumphand no I did not. I was there for a short visit on business, Miss Simpson-Wright.”
“What a pity. Everything is so dull in this neighborhood. The most we can hope to see are students dressing up as women and putting on Shakespeare’s plays incollege.”
