Page 102 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Chapter 25

Robert stoodat the back of the crowd at the book launch. He did not want to be too conspicuous or seem to be connected with the book in any way. He found himself to be surprisingly calm, even though it was his book that was being launched. The early reviews were good and he had high hopes that the book would have a solid readership. He did think that Sir Cecil went on a bit too long with the introduction, but he had always tended to be long-winded.

He was very proud of Diana. She was calm and steady, projecting a quiet confidence as she spoke about the book. She was so convincing, he almost believed she had written the book instead of him. He was so absorbed in the presentation he had forgotten that Amelia had agreed to meet him here until he felt her hand on his arm and heard herspeak.

“Is it going well?” sheasked.

He turned to her and was shocked to see the Viscount standing beside her, their arms linkedtogether.

“Amelia… Ludlow,” Robert greeted,coolly.

“Your little protégé looks quite sweet and charming,” Amelia said as though she was sorting through soiledlaundry.

“What are you doing here? I did not know your tastes ran to literature,” Robert said to theViscount.

“Oh, my interests are varied,” he replied. “And I might ask the same question of you. Why the sudden interest in this fair damsel? Is she a newconquest?”

Robert whipped around to face Ludlow. “You are crude and insulting to both me and the younglady.”

“Oh, Robert, do not be such a prude. I was onlyjesting.”

Robert was angry. “I must ask you toleave.”

Amelia intervened, reaching over and patting Robert’s shoulder. “Now, now, gentlemen, sheathe the swords. We are all friends here. No one is accusing anyone of anything.” Then she pulled Ludlow aside and had words with him which Robert could nothear.

Shortly they returned. By now Diana had finished speaking, and the crowd began to shift toward the drinks table or toward her. Robert wanted to go over to her and support her but Amelia restrained him, pulling him aside, and whispered, “You should be kinder to poor Luddy. He means well, but he tends to be indelicate in hisspeech.”

Robert looked at her askance, and then asked, “And what exactly is he doing here? What possible interest could he have in the booklaunch?”

“He escorted me, and you know I came to support you,” she said soothingly, as she straightened hiscravat.

Robert was unconvinced by her slithery manner. He knew her wiles too well. “I am, of course, happy that you attended the launch of the book, but you must excuse me now. I need to support myprotégé,as Ludlow likes to call her. I will see you later back at the house fordinner.”

“Verywell.”

Robert turned to leave but stopped. “Is he going to be there?” he asked, nodding his head toward theViscount.

“I had thought to ask him, but if you would rathernot…”

“I would rather not,” he saidemphatically.

“As you wish,” she said, and then returned to theViscount.

* * *

Robert wasatFortnum and Mason’searly enough to secure a nice table before Diana should arrive for tea. As part of his trip to London, he had arranged several meetings with his property managers and had spent the afternoon in discussions with one about several of his properties that needed repairs. He studied the proposals and bids as he waited forher.

Finally, sheappeared.

“Good afternoon, Robert,” she greeted, as she took her place at the table. “Did you have a productiveafternoon?”

“It was—tedious, but necessary and relativelysuccessful.”

Diana took a deep sigh, as she settled into her place. “What a day. Not only was the morning noteworthy, but I ended up in a deep discussion with Adam at lunchtime over the plans for our honeymoon. Really, he can be so difficult attimes.”

“Forgive me for asking, but are there troubles?” he askedgently.

Diana seemed reluctant to speak about it, and Robert regretted his question almostimmediately.