“Oh, Amelia. I am truly sorry aboutthat.”
“And what good does that do?” she asked bitterly. “It is all in the past. Our parents are gone and you have become the head of thefamily.”
“And Amelia, what do you want for yourself? You are thirty-seven andunmarried.”
“And destined to become a spinster… is that what you aresaying?”
Robert could see he had probed a sore spot. “Not at all. You are an attractive and strong woman. Certainly, there must be many men who would be more than interested in courting you, and you have a substantial living to bring to amarriage.”
“Then where are the offers of marriage?” she asked, as the footman refilled her wine glass for the thirdtime.
“I suspect that your very strength might intimidate some men,” Robert said honestly. “You need someone of equal strength to match you inmarriage.”
“No one wants a harpy, is that what you are saying?” she asked, rising from her place at the table and finishing off her glass ofwine.
“Amelia…”
“Then let me clearly state that I am not about to change. If men find me intimidating that is too bad for them. I am quite content being who I am and will make no excuse for it. And all I will add is that Ludlow Russell takes me for who I am and respects me forit.”
“Then you and Russellarecourting?”
“Perhaps.”
* * *
BalfourHall could certainly accommodatea royal visit. It had many times before—from as early as the seventeenth century with the first visit from King Charles the Second. But the task of preparing for a royal visit was enormous. Not only did Victoria need to be catered for but also her large retinue of attendants and servants. And it could not be considered a proper house party without inviting other selected aristocratic guests (list provided by the Queen’s primary attendant) and their servants, as part of the royal couple’sentertainment.
The first order of business for Robert and Amelia when they returned from London was to confer with the bevy of cooks to plan meals for the entire occasion. And again, not only were the meals for the guests to be planned for, but also the menu for all of those attending to theguests.
Amelia had her own personal staff to help organize her side of the preparations, while Robert could call upon many of his household staff and local dignitaries to help with the organization and setup of thefete.
One morning, shortly after they returned from London, Robert was conferring with one of his groundskeepers about public access to the park where the fete was to be held when Sithens appeared in the blue drawingroom.
“Milord, there is a gentleman from the Queen’s household who wishes to seeyou.”
Robert was somewhat distracted by his current task and said, “Please take him to the library, ask if he needs refreshment, and tell him I shall be with himshortly.”
“Very good,Milord.”
After his meeting with the groundskeeper, he went directly to thelibrary.
“Robert Donnelly,” Robert introducedhimself.
“Sir Gerald Conty,” the gentleman said. “I have been asked by the Queen to help organize the investiture during her attendance atBalfour.”
“Ah. Excellent. I had no idea where to begin withthat.”
Sir Gerald was a middle-aged, slender, and quite elegant man. He dressed impeccably and one could tell he was used to moving comfortably in aristocraticcircles.
“I am happy to work directly with you or with your staff—whichever works best foryou.”
“And will you be staying with us until the Queen’sarrival?”
“I am quite content at a localinn.”
“Not at all. You must be ourguest.”
Sir Gerald nodded. “Most gracious of you. And if there might be a room where I can set up myoperation...”
“You will have a suite of rooms at yourdisposal.”
“Excellent. Then if I might be shown to my rooms I shall begin my work. And with whom shall Iliaison?”
“That would be me, as I am organizing the fete where the investiture will beheld.”
“Then perhaps we might have a meeting later thisafternoon?”
“I shall seek you out. And you shall be notified of meal times. Anything else you need, just ring yourbell.
Sir Gerald nodded and was led away bySithens.
