Chapter 23
After that most embarrassing kiss,Diana and Robert avoided each other during the months of July and August. Any business regarding the book promotion was, from that point on, conducted by correspondence between them and with SirCecil.
Diana had dutifully written her preface to Robert’s book which explained that she desired to tell her new tale from the male point of view and had written an adventure/romance story with a man as the principal character. It was similar to Robert’s prologue, but it was more clearly written in her voice, and both Robert and Sir Cecil agreed to use her preface in thebook.
It was now early September and almost time for Robert and Diana to go to London for the official publication of his book and the start of the promotional tour. Robert was in the library dealing with some last-minute paperwork prior to leaving. A stack of advanced copies of his book stood on his desk and, even though he had admired them many times, he could not help but pick up one and flip through it again, stopping to read some of his favoritesections.
Sithens came into the room. “The morning post, Sir,” he said, offering it toRobert.
“Thankyou.”
Robert sorted through the mail and found a letter from Diana, which he openedimmediately.
Dearest Robert,
I am looking forward to our pending trip to London for the publication of your novel. I feel certain it will be an exhilarating event for you and will lead to a resounding success for you as anauthor.
I want to thank you for offering to let me stay at your London house during the events, but I feel that might not be wise in light of our rather uncomfortable encounter just after the Queen’s visit. Therefore, I feel it best if I stay at Adam’s parents’ house during our time inLondon.
But the arrangements we have made to travel down to London by train together are still satisfactory, and I look forward to traveling with you in your carriage to the trainstation.
I have received several advance copies of your book and I must say, it came out very well. I have started rereading it again in its published form and am enjoying it again verymuch.
I shall be ready and on time when you call for me on the day of ourdeparture.
Your sincerefriend,
DianaBrowning
Robert put down the letter.Oh, how bleak was her closing ofYour sincere friend.But he found he was still anguished by his behavior that afternoon at Diana’s house. The kiss. Oh, yes, that kiss. Even now, the thought of that warmed him and sent a shiver of desire through hisbody.
However, she was absolutely right not to stay at his London house. It would have only added to his torture of not having her romantically in hislife.
He remembered that the date of her marriage was to be in about a month, and he resolved to start weaning himself from thoughts of her. He knew now, any hope he had of winning her was now past, and he must move on. But the dreary candidates that Amelia always presented to him depressed him to noend.
Amelia came into the room and stood looking at him from theentryway.
“Amelia? Is there something youneed?”
She took a few steps forward and said, “How long will you be in London? I assume you will be staying at thehouse.”
“Iwill.”
“Then I should like to come along. I was never able to finish my shopping after you so rudely yanked me from London for the Queen’svisit.”
Robert found he had no fight in him regarding his sister. “Very well, you may come along. But remember I am traveling with Miss Diana, and I know you two do not get along verywell.”
“I shall take an earlier train.” She turned as though to leave but added, “The Viscount will be accompanying me, although he shall be residing at his Belgrave Square house. He finds he’s discovered a whole new appreciation of literature and plans to accompany me to the launch of yourbook.”
“But he does not know I am the author, does he?” Robert asked with someapprehension.
“I simply told him you are the patron of a local author whom you admire, and that you are attending the book launch of her newnovel.”
Robert nodded. “That better be the case. You know how angry I would be if there was any revelation about me being theauthor.”
“Of course, I do,” she said, giving him her forced smile. “And you have absolutely nothing to worryabout.”
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