Page 41 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“Not at all,” Dianasaid.

Mother left and Diana and Adam sat at the kitchentable.

“I was thinking about our honeymoon.” He looked up to see her reaction. “Papa suggested we go abroad. What would you think about Italy orGreece?”

Diana did not want to think about such things when she had so much to do on herbook.

“I hope you are not going to make a practice of just dropping by whenever you want,” she snapped. “I have a writing deadline on my new book and I must set regular hours to work undisturbed eachmorning.”

Adam seemed shocked by Diana’s outburst and did not speak for a moment ortwo.

“I had no idea… I am so sorry. I… I… just assumed as we wereengaged…”

“Married or not, I need my time alone... I cannot justhave…”

Adam stiffened. “Diana, do you want this marriage or not? If not, I should like to know. If you do not care for me then I feel it is only right to disengage from our relationship. I must say, I have felt all along that you are only marrying me to secure the loan for your father. Is that notso?”

Diana felt the sting of truth in his accusation and wanted to defend herself when there was knocking at the frontdoor.

“Oh, for goodness sake. Who can that be now?” she said angrily, as she rose to answer thedoor.

She forcefully flung the door open and there were Abigale and Kitty with broadsmiles.

“I hope we are not disturbing you, Abigalesaid.

“But we have a new letter from Nephew Brandon and we thought you might like to have us read it to you,” Kittyadded.

Diana was nearly at her wit's end and snipped, “Oh, ladies, this is not at all a good time. And what would make you think I would have any interest, whatsoever, in more boring news from your moronicnephew.”

Adam had come up behind her and heard her scathing remark. He put his hand on her shoulder, “Diana… how could you say such athing?”

The sisters were horrified and flustered. They turned to leave but turnedback.

“Oh, Miss Diana we had noidea…”

“We did not know you felt thatway…”

“Be assured we shall never invade your privacy again,” Kitty said, still in atither.

Adam spoke up. “Ladies, please forgive Diana, we were having a little argument as you arrived and she was upset with me and unfortunately she took it out on the two of you. I am certain she did not mean a word of what shesaid.”

The sisters were weeping by now and they turned and fled down the gardenpath.

Adam turned to Diana. “How could you say such a mean thing to those two lovely and lonely sisters? You should be ashamed of yourself. Those letters from their nephew mean the world to them and you were socruel.”

Now Diana burst into tears, “Oh, Adam. I am so ashamed—truly. I was absolutely horrible. I will find some means to apologize. But not right now. I am tooupset.”

“Come on,” Adam said, taking her arm and leading her back to the kitchen and sat her back down at thetable.

“This has been a rough day, has it not?” heasked.

Diana stretched her arms across the table and lay her forehead on herarms.

“It has been a trial and I have been inexcusable—to you and to the dear sisters. Canyou, at least, forgiveme?”

“Of course, I can. But we must still address the central issue between us. Do you want to marry me?” he asked firmly. “The issue needs to beresolved.”

With her head still on her arms she turned to him and asked, “Can we deal with this later, please. I am too upset to have a rationaldiscussion.”