Page 22 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Chapter 6

They reachedthe stile and after they crossed over, they were headed back to Diana’s house when, as they were passing the Sinclair residence, Miriam and Geffrey ran out of the house and ran up to Diana, accosting her as Miriam shouted, “Come in fortea!”

“We saw you heading to the meadow earlier,” Geoffreyadded.

“Oh,hello…”

“we are the Sinclairtwins…”

She pointed to her brother and said, “Geoffrey…”

And he pointed to her, “andMariam.”

“Robert Donnelly,” Diana introduced, as Robert offered his hand toshake.

“Areyou…”

“a professor at thecollege?”

“No, I am an author, like your friend, Diana,” Robert said, but not introducing himself as the Earl ofDonnelly.

“Then come inside fortea…”

“Robert, theauthor.”

Miriam grabbed hold of Robert’s hand as Geoffrey grabbed hold of Diana’s and led them inside, Robert laughing at the sudden turn ofevents.

* * *

Diana was amusedas she watched Robert interact with her two bizarre friends. But he seemed to be enjoying himself all through the brieftea.

Finally, when they left, Diana took hold of Robert’s arm again and said, “I hope you didn’t mind having tea with my crazy friends. I was going to offer you a much more sedate tea time, but we were kidnapped and takenhostage.”

“Just like an episode out of my Amazon travels,” Robert saidlaughing.

When they reached the house, Diana offered Robert the opportunity to come inside, but he declined as they stood at herdoorstep.

“What if I stop by again in two or three days? Might you have your answer for me by then?” heasked.

Diana smiled as she shook Robert’s hand. “I expect I shall. And I do look forward to seeing you againthen.”

Robert raised her hand and kissed it. “Until we meet again,” he said and walked briskly away from the house toward the inn where he’d stabled hishorse.

Diana found she was agitated as she watched him walk away. Not uncomfortably so, but feeling a mixture of anticipation, attraction, and concern. It was a strange combination of feelings, so she went inside and sat at the kitchen table where the quiet of the kitchen and comfort of the heat from the stove calmed and settledher.

She was suddenly taken with the need to tell Miriam and Geoffrey about the Earl’s offer. The subject had never come up at tea and she wanted to hear what they thought about this new opportunity, so she put on a sweater, as it was getting colder outside, and she headed to the Sinclair’shouse.

“You are back,” Miriam squealed as she opened the door. “Oh, do come in. Are you going to tell us all about that enchanting man,Robert?”

“Well, I do have some news aboutthat.”

“Who is that?” Geoffrey calledout.”

“It is Diana with news,” she shoutedback.”

“But did she not tell us all the news she had just minutes ago? What could possibly have happened since then?” he asked as he appeared in the entranceway.

“Ask her yourself, then,” Miriamscolded.