Page 76 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“I would like Chinese today,” she said as she took the tea out of the cupboard, before sneezing severaltimes.

“Very well. And I would like a few of your delicious oat and raisin biscuits to go with that,” Diana added as she opened the biscuit tin and placed it on thetable.

They prepared the tea and sat at the kitchentable.

“I was thinking…” Mother said. “Might we not have a reception after your Father’s investiture for all those of our friends who will not be at thefete?”

“Mother, that is a delightful idea. When were youthinking?”

“Since the fete is on a Saturday I was thinking we might hold it here Sunday afternoon. Or do you think his rooms at college might be better?” She sneezed again and wiped her nose with the handkerchief she kept tucked into the pocket of her paintingsmock.

“Oh, I like the idea of the college. After all, the honor is for his scholarly work and it would be convenient for all of his academic colleagues to attend. What refreshments are you thinking we mightserve?”

“Wine and beer for drinks and I suppose we could make some tasty treats for a buffettable.”

“Then let us plan the menu this afternoon and I can check with Father about who he should like toinvite.”

Mother sneezed several timesagain.

“Mother, are you fallingill?”

Mother blew her nose. “I do not know. But I have been sneezing all morning and I must say my throat tickles and I am feeling a littleoff.”

Diana stood and went to her mother to feel her forehead for atemperature.

“Mother, you are burning up! You best get right tobed.”

“But the gallery… And mypainting…”

“I will take care of that. Come on, up to bed with you now,” Diana insisted, as she helped her mother stand, and began leading her toward herbedroom.

“But yourwriting…”

“Mother, not now. I will care for the gallery. I can write when there are nocustomers.”

“Very well,” she said and started sneezing again. “Maybe your father can help aswell.”

“He has plenty going on with his teaching and finishing the book. Please do not worry about anything except gettingbetter.”

Diana led her mother to the bedroom, prepared her for bed, and made sure she had water on her bedside table. Then she brought her a newly poured mug of hot tea with a medicinal touch of cognac, lemon, andhoney.

This certainly did disrupt Diana’s plans for the day. She had planned to write all morning, shop for dinner after lunch, and then pull the recipes for whatever dishes they selected for thebuffet.

After settling her mother in comfortably with an extra comforter thrown over the bed, Diana ran down to the gallery. However, she forgot her writing and thought to go back but she saw a couple waiting at the galleryentrance.

“Good morning,” she greeted. “Sorry for the delay, and how may I help you?” she asked, as she ushered them into thegallery.

The woman pointed to a watercolor and said to her husband. “Ooo, I like thatone.”

The man turned to Diana. “We shall just browse for the moment. Thankyou.”

“Let me know if you have anyquestions.”

“Who is the artist?” the womanasked.

“Most of the paintings are by my mother. This is hergallery.”

“Oh, might we meether?”