Robert wasall gracious smiles as his footman brought out Diana’s luggage from the cottage. Both her mother and father were standing at the doorway giving their good-byes to her before she turned and approached thecarriage.
“Good morning, Robert,” she greeted as he assisted her into thecarriage.
After the luggage was stowed, the carriage headed toward the railwaystation.
Robert thought Diana seemed a little nervous or apprehensive. They had not seen each other since the kiss and there was an awkwardness about their firstinteractions.
Robert was the first to speak and he wanted to put Diana at ease if he could. “How are your dearparents?”
Diana looked up after gazing down at her gloved hands folded in her lap. “Ah, both are fine, thank you. There were no repercussions from Mother’s summercold.”
“I am so happy to hear that. And those spunky twins? Still basking in their Queen’s garterhonor?”
“I have not seen too much of them these past few months. Geoffrey has actually been able to hold down a job for more than a week. And Miriam is studying philosophy at the new women’s college at theuniversity.”
Robert chuckled, “She’s atNewnham’s. How spunky of her. And philosophy? Now there is astretch?”
Diana laughed. “Why not? Who better to shake up the foundations of philosophy thanMiriam?”
That interchange seemed to relax themboth.
“And Geoffrey, what career has he finally settledinto?”
Diana tilted her head. “Settled into? I am not too certain about that. However, he seems to be holding his own as a teacher ofyoungsters.”
That set Robert laughing again. “Now that seems just perfect. I cannot think of a more suitable Pied Piper, can you? I can just see him teaching children from the viewpoint of a child. I predict he will be verysuccessful.”
“I quiteagree.”
Having come to the end of that segment of conversation, they stared out the windows until they arrived at thestation.
Luggage was transferred from the carriage to the station platform and the footman waited with them until the London train arrived and their luggage was loaded into the luggage compartment of thetrain.
Robert found their first-class compartment and theyboarded.
After the train got underway they were both lost in their own thoughts until Robert said, hesitantly, “Diana, I hope you have forgiven me for my inappropriatekiss.”
Diana looked up at him. “Of course, Robert. And I must admit I was partially to blame, aswell.”
This shocked Robert, as he had no idea that she might have responded positively to the kiss. Even with all his new resolve to not be affected by Diana, what she had just said, again enflamed his passion, over which he seemed to have no control. He could not speak immediately. He rested his head against the seat back and took several deep breaths to calm himself. His mind was swirling with new thoughts about the possibility of having Diana in his life onceagain.
Then she said, “However, my slipup has led me to strengthen, even more, my commitment to marryAdam.”
This statement sent Robert back into despair and abolished his new and fragile hopes for a romance with her. Robert turned away and stared out the window at the passinglandscape.
Diana opened her traveling bag and took out a book which she proceeded to read for the rest of the trip toLondon.
Robert got up from his seat without a word and left the compartment and headed to the dining car where there was a bar and he had two cognacs in quick succession. He leaned against the bar and began to calm down. Once again, he had been led astray by his feelings for Diana. He strengthened his resolve before heading back to theircompartment.
“We will be approaching London shortly,” he said, as he examined the few hand bags they had carried into the compartment when theyboarded.
“Might I drop you off at where you will be staying?” he asked without looking at her. “My London carriage will be waiting when we arrive and it will be much easier to have my footmen care for theluggage.”
“If it is not too much trouble. I do not want to take you out of yourway.”
“It will be my pleasure. And we can make arrangements to meet tomorrow at Sir Cecil’s office before the booklaunch.”
Diana looked at him. “You must be very excited,” she said with her sincerely sweet smile. “I remember my first book launch. I was in such a fit. I was both so nervous and soexcited.”
