Page 120 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Diana looked at Adam to see if he really wanted to stay here and order tea. He shook hishead.

Diana turned to the waiter. “Excuse me. I am very sorry, but we will not be needing service this morning. Something has come up and we mustleave.”

The waiter had obviously seen everything in his career and he nodded nonchalantly. “As youwish.”

Diana took out a pound note and left it on the table, and said to Adam, “Let us go. The park is nearby. Would you feel more comfortable if we strolled? I feel we need more time to discussthis.”

Adam stood up. “I checked my coat. I will meet you at the entrance,” he said and left the tearoom.

This was not going as she had expected. She had hoped to control the conversation, but instead, Adam had taken the lead and she had ended up needing to defendherself.

She met Adam in the lobby and they headed silently towardGreen Park. When they finally reached the park, they found a bench under a tree that was dropping its golden leaves. The location mirrored a melancholy feeling that seemed to fit their currentmood.

After they sat, Diana took Adam’s hand in her gloved hands and said, “Adam, I know this is terribly unsettling for you. But I truly hope you can see why our marriage would notwork.”

“Does it matter? You have made up yourmind.”

Diana was, once again, faced with the stubborn and hurt little boy. She sighed, and let go of his hand. She reached into her bag and pulled out Robert’senvelope.

She opened it and took out the document that neededsigning.

“Adam, I wish we could discuss this more fully, but you do not seem interested. But we must conclude this fairly. I have a bank draught for you for the full amount of your father’s loan plus interest. And if you would be so kind as to sign this document we can conclude ourengagement.

“What is this?” he asked as he took thedocument.

“It stipulates that the loan has been repaid and the engagement ended. It is simple andstraightforward.”

Adam read through the paper and Diana handed him a fountain pen. He signed the paper and gave it back to her as she handed him thecheque.

“Now I must cancel all the honeymoon arrangements,” he saidglumly.

“Why not find someone to go with you? Why waste all the work you did organizing thetrip?”

Adam smiled. “What a splendid idea. I like that. There is this really capital young lady who works in my department at work. We chat all the time and she tells me how much she wants to travel and see the world. What a jolly goodidea.”

Diana was shocked that he could be considering such a thing right after they broke up, but she also understood that she had been right about Adam. He was too immature to be ready for marriage. But she smiled, and also understood Adam would land on his feet and be justfine.

* * *

“Ido not understand.What kind of a surprise is this? Where are we? This seems a rather dubious place,” Diana said as she and Robert took the stairs to the third floor of a shabby old building in a less than savory part ofLondon.

When they reached the top floor, Robert knocked at a door which was shortly answered by a rather dapper older gentleman in a painting smock and a rakish clothhat.

“Ah, Milord. Exactly on time. Please comeinside.”

Diana and Robert entered a large room that revealed itself to be an artist’s studio. There was a large north-facing window that was part of the roof but also continued down the side of the wall to give ample light for painting. The light flooded a dais with two throne-like chairs and a fabricbackdrop.

“Diana, this is Sir William Sargent, perhaps our finest British portraitpainter.”

“Miss Diana…” he said offering hishand.

“SirWilliam.”

“We are to have our wedding portrait painted,” Robert said, then turned to Diana. “Do you remember the dinner where we discussed yourportrait?”

Diana laughed. “And that is why you requested I wear thisgown?”

“It is. And you still look stunning in it. Perfect for your portrait—with no thought of scaring away thefoxes.”