Page 128 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“And may I ask you to grant me one lastservice.”

Amelia turned to face him. “Of course. And what might thatbe?”

“Accept Diana. I know it has been difficult for you. But she is my love and is to be my wife. I ask you to reconcile with her not only in your mind but in yourheart.”

Amelia was silent as she fingered the lapels of Robert’scoat.

“Will you do this for me?” he asked, raising her chin so that he might look into hereyes.

“Yes,Robert.”

* * *

Diana’s motherand Miriam were with her in the dressing room of her newBalfourpersonal quarters. They were there to work on her hair and help her with getting dressed—with the assistance of her new lady’smaid.

However, Mother was doing more crying than assisting, and Miriam was talking up a storm as she sat next to Diana powdering her ownface.

Amelia came into the room dressed in her bridal gown and looking quitemagnificent.

“Would you ladies please excuse us for a moment? I should like to have a word withDiana.”

The ladies retired to the outerroom.

“You look lovely,” Diana said, as she saw Amelia in her dressing tablemirror.

“As do you,” she said, still looking at Diana but not speakingfurther.

“Is there aproblem?”

Amelia took another step forward. “No, not at all. Everything is going as planned. But Robert had a word with me last night about how I have been treating you. And I want to ask for your forgiveness, and to let you know it will never happen again. I want us to be as sisters and I pledge to you that I will never again treat you as I havepreviously.”

“I am very glad to hear that, Amelia. And I welcomethat.”

She took another step forward. “My behavior comes from the fact that Robert and I were orphaned and I became so protective of him that I was never able to let him go. It became a habit that I am only now learning to break. I realize what a wonderful wife and husband you shall be, and I truly ask for yourforgiveness.”

“And I grant it,” Diana said with asmile.

Then Amelia went over to behind Diana. She had been holding a necklace which she offered to put around Diana’sneck.

“This is theBalfournecklace. It has graced every Lady Donnelly for the past seven generations. And it is to beyours.”

Diana turned to her. “Thank you, Amelia, but that should be yours notmine.”

“No, you are the new Lady Donnelly. It must beyours.”

Amelia then put the diamond, ruby, and emerald necklace around Diana’s neck and fastenedit.

* * *

The great hallhad been transformed Christmas morning for the wedding ceremonies. TheBalfourchapel was far too small to accommodate the many wedding guests. Rows of Christmas trees decorated with candles and poinsettias lined the hall. And the dais had two more trees at the far end of the room. The orchestra was set up to the left of the dais and was playing incidental music until the ceremony was tobegin.

An aisle between two banks of chairs led to where the ceremony was to be performed. The guests had already gathered and were seated, waiting, and chatting quietly amongstthemselves.

Robert was the only family male who could escort Amelia down the aisle. But as he was the other groom, he was unavailable, so George volunteered to escort both Amelia and his daughter to the altar at the sametime.

The grooms were already in place and waiting. And once the brides were ready, the music began to play and the bridal marchbegan.

Diana turned to Amelia and said, “Sister, we are about to undertake our new lives. Thank you for raising such a wonderful man for me tomarry.”

“And thank you for teaching me how to welcome you into thefamily.”

The three started down the aisle and when they arrived, the two brides were welcomed to stand beside their loving, and soon to be,husbands.

TheEnd