Page 47 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

Chapter 12

After Robert left,Diana taking a deep breath, went over and took hold of Adam’shands.

“Please, please, please forgive me, Adam. There has been such a lot of chaos and disruption these past few days. But I am here alone with you now and you have my full attention,” she said as she led him to the facing chairs by the fireplace and they satdown.

“Can I get you anything?” she askedfirstly.

Adam shook his head. “But I still do not understand what you were doing this afternoon. I thought it was so important that you have time for your writing. Why were you on a picnic with… thatman?”

Diana could see Adam was angry, frustrated, and confused. She lowered her head to clear her thoughts and looked up and fully explained about the publishing arrangement with Sir Cecil andRobert.

“I am sorry I did not tell you everything in detail about my business arrangement with the Earl before, but it was supposed to be a secret. It cannot be known that the Earl is publishing a novel. But now you know the whole story—as youshould.”

“But that still does not explain why you were on a picnic if it was supposed to be a business meeting,” Adam said with a pout and more than a hint ofjealously.

“It just happened. Robert thought it would be a nice and relaxed way to discuss the book. That isall.”

“And what about after you fell into the river? How did you get dried out and get newclothes?”

Diana explained about drying out at Robert’s house on theriver.

“That does not seem to be at allproper.”

“What else could I do? It was too far to come home to change. I could have caught a cold as I was drippingwet.”

“Still…”

Diana felt he was being unfair. “Adam, do you not trust me? Do you for one minute think I wouldmisbehave?”

Adam looked chastened. “Well,no…”

“Then, I assure you everything was innocent and aboveboard.”

Adam turned and pointed to the clothing boxes Robert had brought in. “And those. Are theygifts?”

“No, Adam, they are replacement clothes for what was ruined in theriver.”

“And you paid forthem?”

“No, Robert did. He felt it was hisresponsibility.”

“Hmm.”

Diana leaned back in her chair and slapped her hands on her knees. “Oh, Adam, if you are going to be likethis…”

Adam lowered his eyes. “I think I understand. Yes, I forgiveyou.”

Diana was suddenly not all that certain she wanted his forgiveness. What right did he have to question her actions? But hewasher fiancé and she decided that he did have legitimateconcerns.

“Adam, can we start anew? Can we focus on why you came to see me this afternoon? You want to know if I still want to marry you, is that notso?”

“Yes. And now I am afraid of what you mightsay.”

“Then let me immediately put your mind at ease. Yes, I do want to marry you and be yourwife.”

Adam let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, I am happy to hear that. And I promise to respect your need for alone time towrite.”

“And I will be a dutiful wife and companion,” sheadded.