Page 105 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

He looked up, annoyed. “Tell him I ambusy.”

“He says it is important andurgent.”

Robert stood up from his desk. “Oh, Amelia… Really? Urgent? What can be so urgent he must disturb me at mywork?”

She inclined her head and said, “He promises not to take up a great deal of yourtime.”

Robert shuffled some papers on his desk as he tried to decide what to do. “Oh, very well.” He turned to his manager. “Will you excuse me for a moment? If you will just wait outside I will be with you againshortly.”

“Very good,Milord.”

Amelia had retreated and returned with the Viscount. As they came in, the manager left theroom.

Robert was not about to modulate his displeasure of needing to deal with Ludlow. “And what is so urgent you must upset myday?”

The Viscount took his time. Not seeming to be rushed even though he had stated the matter was urgent. Amelia hung back by the door, with an enigmaticsmile.

“If this is more nonsense about your damned canal then just turn around and walk right back out,” Robertinsisted.

“Well, it is and it is not,” was all Ludlow would say atfirst.

“Damn man, you are infuriating. What is it youwant?”

The Viscount took a turn about the room as if studying the shelves of books, before saying, “Iamhere about the canal, however, circumstances have changed and I believe I am now in a better position to elicit your agreement to myproposal.”

Robert was becoming restless and agitated. “And what do you think has changed that will make me change my mind about accepting your absurd proposal to buy my land for yourcanal?”

“I have new and pertinent information that might help you see the value in myproposal.”

“And that would bewhat?”

“I know you are the author of that ridiculous novel that you set your paramour up to claim as hers. What were you thinking? You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. If that information were to be made public, you would become the laughing stock of polite society. You would be run out of Lords and you would become a pariah amongst the eligible young daughters of the nobles of the realm. You could forget about ever marrying well. I think that might be sufficient reason to sell—if I agreed to keep the information about your hoax to myself,” Ludlowcountered.

Robert was too furious to speak, but when he did it was directed at Amelia. “You traitor! You tell him this for whatpurpose?”

Amelia seemed to be totally prepared for his tirade. She walked over and took Ludlow by his arm. “I see that you instantly assume it was me that told him.” She paused for effect. “Well, my darling brother, it was. Ludlow has agreed to marry me if the deal goes through.AndI am to get seven and a half percent of the sale price uponclosing.”

Robert felt too defeated to resist. He hung his head and stood with his arms lifelessly at his sides. He knew he had no leverage and no expedient way to fightback.

“You must give me time to think about this,” hesaid.

“One week. I am under a deadline myself. My money people are getting restless and they want to see a sales contract or they are going to pull their financing. One week. Understand me? Oneweek.”