Page 35 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Chapter 9

Amelia was shockedwhen she learned that her small dinner party had blossomed with the addition of four more guests—Sir Cecil, and that Cambridge author woman and her parents. What a disgrace to have them attending when the Viscount needed Robert to have a serious business discussion with him about the canal project. Not to mention her plan to introduce Robert to Lady Hortense. She needed Robert’s attention focused on her protégé during dinner. Now he would be distracted by Sir Cecil and thisauthor.

However, Amelia needed to be the charming hostess as drinks were being served in the Sterling parlor as the guests arrived beforedinner.

Lady Hortense was already present, as she had arrived earlier that morning. Lord and Lady Booth were the first of the other guests to be shown into theparlor.

The Booths were elderly neighbors that Amelia needed to entertain from previous social obligations. She knew they would be early to arrive and early to depart. Their bedtimes were never past nineo’clock.

The Viscount was next. Amelia introduced Ludlow to the other guests currently present and then he pulled heraside.

“I am looking forward to my after dinner meeting with Robert. I hope all is well with that. And you will be able to attend,no?”

Amelia frowned. “There has been a slight wrinkle in theplan.”

“What? You assuredme…”

“Robert has invited a publisher and a Cambridge author and her parents for dinner without asking me. Of course, I am upset, but what can I do? He is master of thehouse.”

Ludlow took a glass of wine from the butler and turned back toAmelia.

“I am furious, Amelia. You absolutely promisedme…”

“Not everything is always under my control, Luddy,” she pleaded as she stroked hisarm.

“Damnation, woman. Can you not accomplish anything? I have people waiting. I need to make assurances andguarantees.”

She leaned to Ludlow and whispered, “And just remember—with Robert it is as easy for me to quash your project as it is for me to help your project. So be a nice boy, and behaveyourself.”

“But remember seven point five percent of nothing isnothing.”

She turned away and went to welcome Sir Cecil who appeared with Robert, quickly followed by the Simpson-Wright sisters and theBrownings.

As she approached, Robert was introducing the Browning parents to Sir Cecil and Amelia was left to welcome and chat with the Simpson-Wrightsisters.

“Bridget… Tabitha, how charming you both look this evening,” Amelia said, taking their hands inhers.

The sisters could not have been more unalike. Bridget was tall and thin with a pinched face and boney hands. Tabitha was short and stout with a red face and a crackling giggle, as she found almost everythingamusing.

“And we are charmed to be here. It was so nice of you to think of inviting us,” Tabitha said. “Hardly anyone asks us out—two unmarried sisters are usually not on the top of everyone’s list of guests,” she added with a littlelaugh.

“Oh, there are the Booths,” Bridget said. “I have been meaning to have a word with Lady Booth about herdressmaker.”

“Ours up and died on us, can you imagine?” Tabithagiggled.

They waved to the Booths and proceeded to head towardthem.

Amelia managed to pry Robert away from Sir Cecil and the Brownings and pulled himaside.

“I want to introduce you to Diana and her mother and father,” Robertsaid.

Amelia smiled. “Of course—but first, just one quickword.”

“Yes?”

She pulled him further aside. “It is very important that you and the Viscount have a word together later this evening. You see, I promised him that the three of us would meetbriefly.”

“Is this about his damnedcanal?”