Page 40 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“That is because you are a Mister Nosey.” She turned from him and started back down the stairs. “I must work. I have much to do before the Earl’s book comes out and my publisher wants my new novel as soon aspossible.”

“Do you think we can get a signed copy of his book?” he asked as he pursued her to the frontdoor.

“I think that might be possible. But would you readit?”

“I might. Does it have naughtybits?”

“I would not know, Geoffrey, I have not read it yet. Say hello to Miriam when she gets back and tell her the party wentwell.”

“Bye,” Geoffrey waved as she went back toward herhouse.

Back home she stopped by the gallery to make sure the orchid was watered, said hello to her mother, then headed to her room to startwriting.

Her first order of business was to compose a sample chapter of her new book for Sir Cecil. He wanted a Christmas theme so she set to work writing thatchapter.

The snow was nearly a foot deep the week before Christmas as the twin brother and sister headed out of the grimy front door with the few gifts they had managed to scrounge from the trash heap. They had wrapped their gifts in pages from an abandoned newspaper they found on a park bench. The ten year-old brother andsister…

Diana struggled with who the gifts were for… then sheknew…

…were on their way to their grandmother who had taken to bed several weeks ago and her wracking cough still prevented her from getting out of bed or goingoutdoors.

The two had also managed to find two cheese rinds and half a loaf of stale bread from behind the grocers on Killdare Alley. It was not going to be a very merry Christmas, but it was better than nothing and they smiled as they passed the carolers in front of the chinashop.

“Tommy,” the sister asked her brother, “do you think motherwill…

There was a loud knocking at the front door and Diana was jarred from herconcentration.

“Oh Lord, who can that be?” she asked as she rose from her desk and headed downstairs toanswer.

“Oh, Adam… Come in if you like,” she said, not very welcomingly. “I thought you were coming atteatime.”

“I could not wait any longer to see you. Did I catch you at a bad time?” Adam asked. He was carrying another bakery box. “I brought you some wonderful eclairs. I thought if you wanted some tea now wemight…”

Diana wanted to say something rude for being interrupted, but she remembered that Adam was now her fiancé, and he was doing the family a large favor by arranging the loan for the family to save their home. So… she took a deep breath and said, “Tea would be lovely. And how are you this fine day,Adam?”

Adam gave her a big smile as he put the box on the kitchen table as she filled thekettle.

“Should I go and invite your mother? And your father? Is hein?”

“You might ask Mother if you like, but Father is at his college rooms for a tutorial, Ibelieve.”

“I shall be right back,” Adam said, as he went to fetch hermother.

Alone for a brief moment, Diana scowled and felt frustrated at having so little control over her own life these days. What with her responsibilities with the family, and her new work with Robert, it seemed almost impossible to hope for long stretches of concentrated writingtime.

Then just as Adam returned with her mother, the kettle boiled and she poured the water for thetea.

“Ooo, look another bakery box,” Mother said turning to Adam and giving him a quick peck on the cheek. “My dear boy, you are too kind to us. You are certain to spoil us and add inches to our waists,” she said as she patted herstomach.

“Eclairs, Mother. I think we should splitone.”

“Very sensible, but not much fun. I shall have a whole one if you do notmind.”

Diana handed plates to Adam to serve them. “Just half of one forme.”

“And I shall have the other half,” he replied as he served theeclairs.

While Diana served the tea, Mother remained standing. “I cannot leave the gallery unattended. I will take my tea with me if you do notmind.