Page 80 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“It is quite an honor, is it not, to have Her Majesty inattendance?”

“It is—but not unprecedented. We have hosted Their Majesties several times now. She seems to be particularly delighted withBalfour, and we are happy to haveher.”

“And your writing? I suspect with all the activity around the royal visit you are not getting much writingdone?”

Robert laughed. “Absolutely none. But it is not just the visit—it is my writer’s block as well. But the visit, at least, gives me a grand cover for not writing. But I do have news foryou.”

“Yes?”

“The galley proofs are ready and I am expecting them by post tomorrow. And I instructed Sir Cecil to send one directly to you as well, so you shall finally have the opportunity to see what a doltish author Iam.”

“I doubt that Robert, or Sir Cecil would never have published you,” she said with alaugh.

“And he sent me a list of the book presentations where you will be expected to attend as the author. Have you received your copy of that yet? I received mine earlier thismorning.”

“Not yet. Our first post comes late morning and I have not been at thehouse.”

Then when you get it, and have reviewed the dates, we can discuss if there are any problems for you where we need to makeadjustments.”

“I shall doso.”

They were now halfway across the meadow as they fell into a moment of silence. Robert snuck a glance at Diana. And he had to ask himself, why did he keep coming to see her? Each time he was with her, she enflamed his passions. But he was a gentleman and knew that she was engaged. The last thing he wanted was to intrude upon her settled life and upset her, but as he had realized earlier that morning, he could not help himself. He longed—he yearned to be near her. He wanted to reach out and take her by both hands and pull her to him and kiss her as she was meant to bekissed.

But he turned away from her. These kinds of thoughts were dangerous and pointless. Perhaps it was best if they returned to the house. He must let her go. He must free himself from her charms. He must return toBalfourand prepare for the Queen’svisit.

He pulled out his pocket watch and consulted it—not for the time but as an excuse to end theirwalk.

“I really must be getting on. Shall we returnnow?”

“If you like,” she said looking up at him with what he interpreted to be a look oflonging.

He refused to take her arm on the way back to the cottage. And as they passed the Sinclair’s house he gave it no glance, not wanting to be tempted into a visit to prolong his time withDiana.

“It has been a charming stroll, Miss Diana,” he said as he led her to the cottagegate.

“Miss Diana? So formal. I thought we were past that,Robert.”

Robert’s heart contracted in longing, but he said, “We will soon be busy promoting the book and I just thought we ought to keep our interactions at a professionallevel.”

“Ah… I see,” Diana said. “Very well, then. I expect we will next meet at thefete.”

“And the carriage will collect your family promptly at ten o’clock. There is to be a reception with Her Majesty prior to the fete which starts atnoon.”

“Then I must practice up for the egg and spoon race if I am to be a serious contender,” she saidteasingly.

“I think Her Majesty will expect your family to be in attendance to her during theafternoon.”

“Then perhaps I might beg of Her Majesty a brief moment to cheer the twins on in any event they may choose toenter.”

“Good day, Miss Diana. And all the best wishes for your mother’s speedyrecovery.”

“Thank you,Milord.”

Robert was stung by her use of Milord, but he deserved it. He was behaving outrageously cool to her, but he had no choice. It was either that or make a complete fool of himself—behaving badly toward her by revealing his deeppassion.

He turned his back to her and headed toward the stable and the completion of hiserrands.

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