Page 73 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“These flowers are worth much more than that. I think a guinea is about the right price. Do you notthink?”

“A guinea?” Doris asked in utteramazement.

“Very well then, two guineas,” the lady added. And she reached into her purse and pulled out two pound notes and two shillings. “There you are, young lady. And you have a very happyChristmas.”

Doris could not believe what had just happened and she wadded the money into her hand and turned away to stuff it in her pocket. But she remembered she had not thanked the kind lady and she turned back. But the lady was gone. Doris ran up and down the street looking for her to thank her but she was nowhere to befound.

Doris stopped and stood in wonderment. What had just happened? Had she been visited by a Christmasangel?”

Diana stopped reading and put the pages on herlap.

“What? What?” the twins shouted. “What happensnext?”

“I am sorry. That is as far as I havewritten.”

“Cruel. Cruel. You are too cruel,” the twinsinsisted.

“I will write more, then we shall have more tea and more story. But now I must go home and start preparing supper. Adam is coming this evening and I want the supper to be extra specialnice.”

“Do not dare…” Geoffrey said,ominously.

“What?” Dianaasked.

Geoffrey continued, “Do not ever start telling us astory…”

“you have not finished,” and Miriamcontinued.

“It is agony,” they both saidtogether.

“I shall remember,” Diana said, taking the last sip of her tea, gathering her pages together, and then leaving the Sinclair house. “Good-bye. Until nexttime.”

Diana strode back to the cottage and went inside. As she was passing by the sitting room on the way to her room she saw her father seated and chatting with a stranger. She went to her room, placed her story on her desk and went backdown.

“Oh, hello Father,” shegreeted.

“Diana, this is Sir Gerald Conty.” Her Fathersaid.

“Good afternoon, Sir Gerald, I am Diana—thedaughter.”

Sir Gerald stood. “It is a pleasure, MissBrowning.”

“It seems Her Majesty will be visitingBalfourduring the fete and he tells me the investiture will take place at the fete instead of in London. Sir Gerald is filling me in on thedetails.”

“How splendid. That will save us all a trip to London, will itnot?”

“I must get a new suit of clothes,” Father said. “It seems appropriate attire is required for a courtappearance.”

“But you will not be at court,” Dianasaid.

“But the court is where Her Majesty is,” Sir Gerald pointedout.

“I see. Then perhaps you might enlighten us ladies as to what we should wear aswell.”

“I have given your father a complete list of sartorial requirements.” Sir Gerald stopped and reached into his case and pulled out a letter. “Ah, I almost forgot. Lord Donnelly asked me to deliver this to you, MissBrowning.”

Diana took the letter. “You are most gracious. Thankyou.”

She wanted to read the letter immediately, but dinner also needed to be prepared. “If you will excuse me, I shall leave you to my father. Good day to you, SirGerald.”