Page 37 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“Not bad some of that, I can tell you,” George spoke up. “The bard still entertains even after all theseyears.”

The Viscount turned to Bridget and said, “You like shocking reviews, do you Miss Simpson-Wright.”

Bridget blushed and giggled. “Oh, no. But I do enjoy a nice comedy or apantonow and then. But we rarely get up to London at Christmastime.”

“Then you are in for a treat for I understand that there is to be a traveling troop of players presenting a pantomime this very Christmas at one of the colleges—though I am not sure whichone.”

Bridget clapped. “WhichPantois it tobe?”

“Aladdin,I believe,” Diana spokeup.

Bridget turned to Tabitha and said, “Oh, we must book our tickets early. I do love front rowcenter.”

As the main course was being served, the guests began to speak individually amongst themselves. And Robert turned again toDiana.

“How is your new novel coming along?” heasked.

“Slowly, I am sad to say. All of this excitement over your proposal has disrupted my tranquil writing time and I am strugglingsomewhat.”

“I am sorry to be a distraction foryou.”

Diana tilted her head. “It is not the first distraction. And now that I am engaged… well, I sometimes wonder if I shall ever get to finish my newbook.”

Robert did not like to be reminded of Diana’s upcoming marriage. He had found himself unexpectedly attracted to this young woman and he was surprised that after all of Amelia’s efforts to introduce him to suitable young women, here was the one he could nothave.

He looked over at Amelia and caught her apparently signaling to Lady Hortense to engage Robert in aconversation.

Robert turned his attention back to Diana. “I was speaking to Sir Cecil before you arrived this evening and he has an excellent plan for you to continue publishing your books under a new pen name. He will explain it all in our meeting afterdinner.”

Diana looked up at him and smiled. “You are a very kind and thoughtful man. Thankyou.”

* * *

Amelia had been seethingall evening. It was so obvious Robert had rearranged her seating plan and now Luddy was in deep conversation and giggles with Lady Hortense—who was supposed to be in deep conversation and giggles with Robert and notherLuddy.

Why did everything need to be so-o-odifficult?

Amelia felt she must do something to rescue this evening from total disaster. And her first line of action was to somehow separate Lady Hortense from theViscount.

She was just about to try distracting Lady Hortense with conversation when the Viscount stood at his place at thetable.

“I think a toast is in order,” he announced, standing, but resting one hand on the table to steady himself. “To the Earl of Donnelly—a man eager to maintain the status quo at all costs. Hang the good of the community. Never mind the prosperity of thecounty…”

By now Amelia had jumped up and rushed around the end of the table and took Ludlow by the arm and tugged to get him out of theroom.

“You are a terrible drunk,” she whispered as she dragged him, wine glass in hand, toward the dining room door. “I swear you have probably just sealed your fate. Now Robert will be more set against your project than ever. How can you be such afool?”

She led him to the Sterling parlor and sat him down and took the wine glass from hishand.

“And just what were you doing flirting with Lady Hortense all evening. You were making a mocking spectacle ofyourself.”

“Give me my wine,” hegurgled.

She went to the sideboard and poured a glass of water and took it toLudlow.

“There. That is what you need rightnow.”

He took a sip and spit it out in a violent spray. “Ugh, that isdisgusting.”