Page 116 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Father added, “But Diana, there is the loan, and you accepted his proposal because Adam helped us. Certainly, you do not forgetthat.”

“No, Father, I donot.”

Robert spoke up. “Sir, I would like to address that issue, if I may.” George nodded. “Do you have a formal agreement in writing stating that the loan was conditional to themarriage?”

“No, it was more of an implication than a formalagreement.”

“Then, let me tell you a fact that you may not know. My family owns many properties in London. These are the basis of our income. However, I also own various other properties around the country and it seems I own a number of properties right here in Cambridge—and one of them happens to be the leasehold on yourcottage.”

“Good heaven,” George spoke up, “Your name was not on the papers we signed when we renewed theleasehold.”

“No, they were in my company’s name. You had no way of knowing I was the owner of the freehold. And my thought is this. I will refund the amount you paid for the leasehold and turn the freehold title over to you as my wedding present to Diana. You can use that money to repay the loan to Adam’s father and then Diana can break off the engagement if she sowishes.”

“I do wish, Father,Mother.”

Father seemed troubled. “I do not know. That does not appear honorable to me. You made a commitment at the time, and even if we were to repay the loan, I think you must still honor thatcommitment.”

Now Mother spoke up, “George Daniel Browning, how can you say such a thing? You would jeopardize your daughter’s future happiness for such a trifle? Thinkagain.”

Father was clearly chastised by Mother, and he said, “Well, when you put it likethat…”

“I do. And speaking of honor, how honorable was it for the Hardy family to tie the loan to Diana agreeing to marry Adam. Was that not a bribe or even worse, blackmail? You are not going to convince me that our Diana should suffer a loveless marriage to satisfy some dubious case ofhonor.”

Mother sat upright in her chair, hands folded, and clearly relishing her moral highground.

Robert then turned to Diana and said, “Then I shall ask again Diana Browning, will you marry me and be mywife?”

“Oh, yes, Robert, I most certainlywill.”

* * *

After the meetingwith her parents, Robert said he wanted a private moment with her, and she led Robert out into the back garden for astroll.

“Are you content?” heasked.

“I am. But I am still overwhelmed and anxious about breaking off the engagement withAdam.

“I can understand that. Is there any way I can help withthat?”

“No. I must do itmyself.”

“Then let us forget all about that for this evening and go out for a celebratorydinner.”

“Oh, Robert, I cannot. I promised Mother I would start thedinner.”

Robert looked at her and smiled. “My darling… first of all, how happy I am to be able to say that now. My darling, we are to be married. You will be living with me atBalfour. I hope you do not plan to rush home each evening to start dinner for yourparents.”

Diana laughed. “No. I think not. But I need to ease them into the fact that I will beleaving.”

“But not tonight. Tonight we are going to dine at the finest restaurant and drink endless champagne. We need tocelebrate.”

“And to discuss the wedding,” she remindedhim.

“Andthat.”

Diana went back inside to her parents and informed them that she would be dining with Robert thisevening.

Mother pouted, but said, “Very well. I guess itisa special occasion. You maygo.”