“As part of my duties as the local Earl, I host a local fete each June. Might we stop by to see your Sinclair friends? I should like to invite you and them to be my honored guests that afternoon. Sort of honorary lords and ladies of the fete, if youwill.”
Diana laughed. “Oh, my. The Sinclair twins as lords of the fete? That should be a sight. Now if you were inviting them to be honorary clowns I mightunderstand.”
They came to the stile, crossed over and began walking. The field was filled with new spring flowers and Diana stooped to pick some as they leisurely walked along thepath.
“I have to say,” Diana said, “I am surprised you enjoyed my book. I thought it might be too light reading for yourtaste.”
Robert looked over at her. He had picked a long stalk of grass and was chewing on it as he responded. “I can understand why you might say that. But I sat down to read it when my mind was in agitation and by the time I had finished nearly three-quarters of it I had lost all track of time and I was calmagain.
“Really? That is nice to hear,” she said, looking away a little embarrassed at hispraise.
“I loved your characters—their subtle interactions and the contradictions in their behavior at times. The complexity made the story more real forme.”
Diana nodded but had nothing toadd.
Robert continued, “My story is so much more straightforward. It is an adventure and it is all about action. My characters take a back seat to the storyline.”
Diana turned to him. “I look forward to reading it. When do you think you will get the galleyproofs?”
“Soon.”
They walked on in silence for a few moments, Diana picking moreflowers.
Then Robert said, “Having read your book I am somewhat concerned about what might appear to be a drastic clash in styles to your readers when my book comes out under yourname.”
“That has crossed my mind as well, even though I have not read your bookyet.”
“Do you foresee that becoming a problem for either of us?” Robertasked.
“I don’t know how you might feel about this, but I was thinking it might be worthwhile for me to write a preface to your book saying that I was experimenting with a new style. Wanting to break from my old genre and explore new writing avenues. Do you think that might work?” she said looking up at him. “Or might you want to reconsider using me as your surrogate author? Perhaps a man might be better suited to representyou.”
Robert reacted forcefully. “Oh, no. Not at all. I have made my arrangement with you and I mean to stick by it. However, I do feel your suggestion of a preface might be a good idea. Why do we not each write one and we shall let Sir Cecil decide which might be best suited for the front of thebook.”
“I like that idea,” Diana said smiling and relieved that he did not want to cancel theirarrangement.
They had, by this time, reached the far end of the meadow and had started walking back. By now Diana had picked two small bunches of flowers and had determined to give one to her mother and one to Robert. But then she suddenly realized it would be inappropriate for an engaged lady to present such a gift to a single man who was not her fiancé. But that also seemed to be a ridiculous convention and she determined shewouldgive the bouquet toRobert.
“What is the date of your fete?” Diana asked as they descended the stile and began walking towards the Sinclair’shouse.
“I believe it is the twenty-second. But I am not sure. It is the closest Saturday in anyevent.”
When they reached the Sinclair’s front door, Dianaknocked.
“It is Diana and her Earl,” Geoffrey shouted over his shoulder after answering the door. “Hello, you two—do come inside. We are sorting beans—can you believe? We grew fa-a-a-r too many last year and have let them dry. Now we need to take out all the spoiled ones. Want tohelp?”
Miriam appeared with a large bowl in herhands.
“Oh, hello. Sorry for the mess, but shelling and storing dried beans is not an easy task. Tea? Shall I make us sometea?”
“Not for me,” Robert said, “I have already kept Diana too long from her writing. I read one of her books and just had to tell her how much I enjoyed it. Have you read any of hernovels?”
Geoffrey pointed to a bookshelf. “Read them all.” He turned and pinched Diana’s cheek. “Our very own national celebrity. How could we nothave?”
“I must not stay. Just wanted to invite you three to our local fete in June. I want you to be my honorary guests. I will even ask you to be judges of the pies and cakes. Everyone loves doingthat.”
“I want to judge the boot toss,” Geoffrey chimed up. “All that black footwear flying through the air… what athrill.”
“I think that might be arranged,” Robert saidlaughing.
