“Your Majesty… How very daring ofyou.”
They bothlaughed.
“Everyone sees me as this rather prudish matron, but I am a married woman and I have my less formal side, shall wesay.”
“As I have witnessed. The warm side of a lovelylady.”
“Not that I do not have my trials andtribulations…”
“I understand parliament has been a particular thorn in your side regarding Albert’smemorial.”
The queen nodded. Then she picked up a paper from herdesk.
“Which brings me to my secondrequest.”
“However I might be of service,” Robertreplied.
“I have an honors investiture for a gentleman in your neighborhood and I thought it might be a nice gesture if we were to hold it atBalfourduring my stay. What would you say tothat?”
“During the fete,perhaps?”
“Lovely idea. A little pomp and pageantry for the locals. I likethat.”
“And who is the gentleman inquestion?”
The queen picked up her lorgnette and examined the paper. “Professor George Browning ofSt. John’s College,Cambridge. Might you have heard of thefellow?”
“Indeed I have, Your Majesty. He was a lecturer from my university days. And he is a current acquaintance through his daughter Diana, with whom I have a professionalrelationship.”
The queen smiled. “A romance,perhaps?”
“Alas, not so. The lady in question is engaged to be married. Our relationship is strictly professional. We have a businessarrangement.”
It certainly would not do to tell Her Majesty of his budding career as anovelist.
“Lord Donnelly, you are not married areyou?”
“Notyet.”
“Pity. A handsome and prosperous young gentleman as yourself should be setting an example to the sometimes shiftless lower classes. Marriage is a respectable institution that must be upheld by the aristocracy as a model of social propriety. Should itnot?”
“Most certainly, YourMajesty.”
* * *
“Oh, Robert, how could you?”Amelia demanded. “How are we to prepare for a royal visit in two weeks? Do you have any idea of the workinvolved?”
Robert and Amelia were at dinner later that evening in their London house. Robert just beamed at her. “But Amelia, my dear, you are so competent. I have no doubt you and the staff can accomplish miracles in half thetime.”
Amelia nervously pushed the food around on her plate with her fork. “But it is not just a royal social visit but a formal investiture aswell.”
“That is to be held at the fete, and since I am managing that, I shall take full responsibility for organizing thatevent.”
Amelia took a sip of her wine. “I do not suppose you ran into the Viscount of Berwick at the Lords yesterday, didyou?”
“I did. And it seems you accepted a dinner engagement for us for next Wednesday without consultingme.”
“It seemed harmless enough. And I know you so enjoy the company of the Bradfields. Ann is so bright and charming and Chester is always good for a laugh ortwo.”
