Diana’s smile widened. “I agree.” A second passed, then she added, “I think that’s why I’m so amazed at Adrian’s insight. This entire situation is one he pulled all sorts of strings to create, and for me, at least, it’s like suddenly finding myself living the dream I hadn’t even realized I had.”
Toby looked out at the children and simply stated, “Amen.”
* * *
Four days later,Toby ushered Diana and the children over the threshold of Wolverstone House in Grosvenor Square.
To the very correct butler, who knew him well, Toby said, “No need to announce us, Hamilton. I take it the marquess is in the study.”
“Indeed, sir.” Hamilton busied himself relieving Diana of her coat and bonnet, then accepted Toby’s hat and cane. Somewhat surprisingly, Hamilton unbent enough to smile at the children. “Should I, perhaps, bring in refreshments?”
Immediately, the three adopted their most angelic but starving looks.
Envisioning the children eating cake in the hallowed sanctity of Drake’s study, Toby grinned. “Why not? But give us ten minutes or so first.”
“As you wish, sir.” Hamilton bowed.
Toby steered the children and Diana down a corridor. He was dying to see how Drake would respond to the news they, as a group, had to impart.
They paused outside the study door, and he looked at the three faces turned up to his and mouthed, “Ready?”
All three nodded.
He briefly met Diana’s eyes, then rapped on the door.
“Come” was the response in Drake’s deep voice.
Toby opened the door. “Good morning, Drake.” He ushered the children and Diana ahead of him into the room, then shut the door.
Seated behind his desk, Drake had been writing, but had glanced up, then slowly sat straighter, the pen suspended, forgotten, in his hand. “You’re back.”
“Clearly.” Toby gestured to Diana. “Allow me to present Miss Diana Locke, whom you dispatched me to escort from Vienna.”
Drake set aside his pen and came to his feet. He circled the desk, took the hand Diana offered, and half bowed. “My condolences, Miss Locke. Word rather belatedly reached us of your father’s death.” He glanced uncertainly at the children. “I hope it wasn’t occasioned by his connection with us.”
Retrieving her hand, Diana inclined her head. “I regret to say it might have been, but”—she glanced at Toby—“it seems we’ll never know either way.”
“I see.” Drake was clearly distracted by the children, who had lined up before Toby and Diana and were regarding him with open curiosity.
Toby glanced at Evelyn’s curly head. “But we’re here to deliver the oh-so-important dispatches.”
That was Evelyn’s cue. She seized it, stepped toward Drake, and held up Rupert the Bear. “Rupert was the c-c-courier.” She managed to get out the word. “He carried the papers all the way from Vienna in his tummy. See?” She turned the stuffed toy and showed Drake the now-open seam along the bear’s spine, then pushed her little hand inside and drew out the packet of dispatches.
Drake blinked.
Evelyn went on, “Mama and Papa said we have to give you the papers, so here they are.” When Drake, thrown off balance by thatMamaandPapa, simply stared, she added as if to clarify the matter for him, “They’re the ones from Vienna, where we used to live.”
Toby hid a huge grin; he had never seen Drake so completely at sea.
Evelyn held the papers out, and still blinking in bemusement, Drake accepted them and added a small bow. “Thank you, Miss…?” He shot a questioning look at Toby.
Unable to conceal his grin any longer, Toby allowed it to break across his face. “Miss Evelyn Fellows, shortly to be Miss Evelyn Cynster.”
Thatrocked Drake back on his heels.
Stunned, he looked from Toby to Diana to the children.
But Evelyn had lost interest in Drake and, instead, looked at Diana. “Can we sew Rupert up now?”
