“It has. But, thankfully, it has also beenremedied.”
“I am glad to hear that. The threat of losing one’s home is certainlytragic.”
Robert could see Diana had become lost in thought as she gazed into the fire and finished her tea. Then she looked up and their eyes met. Her gaze almost took his breath away. Seated by the fire, her face and hair bathed by the warm light of the fire, Robert felt overcome with passion and concern for this lovely lady. He could not help but admire her beauty and tenderness, but he was also filled with compassion for what he knew were her and her family’sstruggles.
Still holding their gaze, she smiled sweetly and he yearned to reach out and take her lovely hand. But he knew it was an impossible situation. She was engaged and they had an important business relationship that must not be damaged by rash behavior. Not to mention what his sister might say if she knew he was courting a woman as common as she perceived Diana tobe.
Finally, he turned away from looking at her and picked up theteapot.
“May I offer you more tea?” he asked to cover hisconfusion.
“Thank you, no. I really should be getting back home. I have ever so many daily chores to finish after being whisked away to a delightful picnic and an almost tragicdrowning.”
“Yes, I shall refrain from suggesting nautical adventures in the future,” he said, determined to regain his gentlemanlycomposure.
* * *
Robert wasinsistent on fitting her out with a new outfit before they returned back to her house. It was late afternoon by the time Robert drove the cart up to the frontgate.
“I shall get you the copies of my books, as I promised,” she said as she hopped down from thecart.
He jumped down and followed her inside, carrying the boxes of her newclothes.
Diana was still dressed in her old soiled, but now dry, clothes as she went into thehouse.
“Diana?” a voice called out from the frontroom.
“Oh, Adam…” she cried out as she burst into the sitting-room, Robert following behind her. “I totally forgot you were coming by thisafternoon.”
Adam stood up, scowling, from the chair where he had beenwaiting.
“What happened to you?” he exclaimed with concern. “You lookterrible.”
Diana looked down at her dress and she started laughing. “Oh, I fell into the Cam.” She turned to Robert. “We were having a picnic and, as we were punting back, my hat fell into the river and I tried to catch it, but… as you can see, I lost my balance and plunged into theriver.”
“Diana…” Adam respondedcrossly.
“It was really quitefunny.”
“I guess you had to have been there,” he replied with definite anger in his voice. “I could have lostyou.”
“I hardly think so,” Diana said amused. “The Cam is very shallow and I could easily have walked to theshore.”
Robert stepped forward and offered his hand. “You must be Diana’s fiancé… I am Robert Donnelly,” Robert introducedhimself.
Adam took his hand and shook. “Adam Hardy,” he repliedcurtly.
Diana turned to Robert briefly. “Oh, Iamsorry for not introducing you.” Then she turned back. “Yes, Adam, the Earl and I were going over the outline of the book he will be publishing under my name…” Then she suddenly looked distressed and she turned to Robert. “Oh, that is supposed to be a secret, is itnot?”
Although Robert was a little disturbed by the revelation, he kindly said, “That is quite all right. As your fiancé, he should know the situation and the agreement betweenus.”
Diana seemed flustered as she turned first to Adam and then to Robert. “I am so sorry, there seems to be a lot of confusion right now. Let me sort this out.” She turned to Robert. “Let me get you the books, then you are free to be on yourway.”
“Let us do that another time. There is no rush. You have much more pressing business with Adam. And I shall just let myselfout.”
“And thank you for the new outfit,” sheadded.
Robert put the boxes on a nearby table, nodded to Adam, and then to Diana, andleft.
