R obert rode directly toward Balfour , not returning to the river cottage. What had just happened? He was filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Diana had so simply and clearly made him see where he was in error in his thinking about the canal. And now, he felt a great relief. He could see the obvious benefit in the canal, and he also felt relieved that his secret would now be safe and he could continue to write—when his writer’s block was broken. However, it might take some time before that happened .

And then there was Diana. Once again, he was in turmoil over his feelings for her. But he still had to face the fact that she was unavailable. But was she? He could not help but notice and feel that she responded to him in ways that were beyond mere friendship. And however much he would love to linger in thoughts of her, he had reached home and needed to deal with other more pressing issues .

Robert strode into Amelia’s rooms before dinner .

“Robert, you missed tea,” Amelia said coolly, as she fingered her black moonstone bracelet .

“I have been pondering the Viscount’s blackmail .”

“Oh, Robert… really… such a crude characterization of his more than generous offer .”

Robert did not want to reveal his thoughts to her for the moment and said, “Can you arrange a meeting with the Viscount for tomorrow morning at eleven ?”

“May I tell him the purpose of the meeting?” she asked .

“Is it not obvious? I have but two days left in my week and I wish to conclude this farce .”

Amelia smiled slyly. “Then you are ready to agree to his terms ?”

“I did not say that .”

“Then you must have a strategy. How clever. Care to share it with me ?”

“Tomorrow at eleven. The library,” he said, then turned and left .

* * *

W hen Amelia and Ludlow entered the library the next morning they seemed surprised to see Ernest Cluett, the Mayor of Cambridge, already in attendance .

“Amelia, Berwick, you already know His Honor, the Mayor, no ?”

Ludlow nodded, “Ernest. I am surprised to see you here .”

“Urgent summons from His Lordship. Thought I should attend .”

Amelia stepped to the side of the room seemingly eager to observe the meeting .

Ludlow stepped forward. “Then you have an answer for me, Donnelly ?”

“I do .”

“Then it must be a yes since you have the Mayor in attendance .”

“I am willing to accept the proposal that the delegation presented to me, which is more generous than the one you originally gave me. And I have His Honor present to confirm what that offer was .”

The Mayor held up a paper. “I have it in writing .”

Both Amelia and the Viscount beamed .

“Excellent. Then we have a deal?” Ludlow said, extending his hand for a handshake .

Robert declined to take his hand and said, “I want your assurance that the other matter…” He did not want to mention his authorship in front of the Mayor. “The matter which involves the deadline. I want your written assurance that that matter is dead and buried. Never to be resurrected again .”

Ludlow hesitated, then responded. “No, Robert. I am not willing to bury that matter. It is far too valuable to me. However, I promise that it will lay dormant for now, once the sale of the land has gone through and we begin construction on the canal .”

Amelia frowned and came over to Ludlow, taking him aside and whispering heatedly with him .

He responded openly, saying, “No, my darling fiancé, I will fulfill my promises to you and I promise not to interfere in His Lordship’s business—for now. But I shall keep my sword—although I shall keep it sheathed .”

“That was not our agreement, Berwick,” Robert challenged, stepping forward aggressively .

Ludlow held up his hand. “Brother-in-law… Let us not argue. All will be well. After all, I will be taking your darling sister off of your hands, and we must remain congenial neighbors and relatives. Must we not ?”

Taking hold of Ludlow’s arm, she nodded to Robert, seeming to indicate that she would keep him in check. And Robert, knowing his sister, believed she would .

“Very well, then I shall leave the room to you and His Honor so that you may confer on the terms of the agreement. Then when all the papers are drawn up and you can present me with certified funds for the purchase of the land then I will sign.” Robert turned to the mayor and nodded. “And good day and good luck to you both .”

* * *

L ater that afternoon, Amelia was giddy with excitement about her marriage. True, Ludlow was not the most appealing man she had ever met, but at her age, she was in no position to reject any offer of marriage .

They had decided on a spring wedding for next year. She wanted it sooner, but Ludlow explained that he would be too caught up in beginning the work on the canal to have any time to deal with a wedding .

But that would not delay her ordering her wedding dress, and she was preparing to go to London for a week or so to confer with her dressmaker and begin the design and work on the gown .

Robert knocked on her door and came inside .

“So it is official? You are to be Her Ladyship, the Viscountess of Berwick?” he asked .

Amelia beamed—an unusual occurrence for her. “I am. And I am planning to head to London for a shopping visit .”

“And you have set a date for the wedding ?”

“April or May .”

“I am truly happy for you, Amelia. I hope the two of you will be very happy .”

“Thank you, Robert.” She paused in her packing preparations and asked. “Why did you decide to accept Ludlow’s offer? I thought for certain you would fight him tooth and nail until the bitter end .”

Robert smiled. “I took good advice from someone I trust and respect .”

“Oh? And that would be me ?”

“No, Miss Diana .”

“Miss Diana? You jest .”

“Not at all. She thought the project was most sensible and faulted me for holding a grudge against Ludlow which blinded me to the plan’s virtues .”

Amelia was truly stunned. Never in her wildest imaginings would she have figured that Diana could be her ally. That made her think for a moment, and then she said, “Miss Diana… hmm. I know I have been ruthlessly pressing pale daughters of the nobility upon you as prospective brides, but I may have misjudged. In an effort to find a suitable partner I have neglected to look at interesting women outside of the social elite. However, it seems to me you have an affinity for this young lady. Have you ever considered her as a prospective bride ?”

Robert appeared to be stunned into silence before his face lit up with the most radiant smile. “Of course I have. However, the young lady is already engaged to be married .”

Amelia forced a mock frown. “I have never known a small detail like that deter you from acting before. You are an Earl. And her young fiancé is …?”

“A Cambridge student, newly graduated, and joining his father’s publishing firm, I believe .”

“Oh, Robert… An Earl versus a publisher’s clerk? Really? I never thought you would be so timid .”

“But she cares for him and they are engaged .”

Amelia went over to Robert and took his arm. “Robert, you may not have noticed, but I have. The way she looks at you, it borders on adoration. If you have any feelings for the woman at all, you must at least ask for her hand in marriage. The worst she could do would be to say no .”

Robert grabbed his sister and gave her an enormous hug. “Sister, sometimes you do surprise me.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead and bounded out of the room .

After he left, Amelia smiled and thought, Did I really, just do that ?

* * *

I t was already late afternoon, but Robert was not about to wait until tomorrow morning. He raced to the stables, saddled his horse, and lit out for Cambridge as fast as his horse would carry him. It was late afternoon by the time he reached the Browning’s cottage. He did not bother to stable his horse but tied it to the front fence and ran to the door and knocked loudly .

The door was answered by George. “My Lord, what a surprise. Were we expecting you? My memory is not what it was and it is possible I forgot all about your coming. Are you here for tea ?”

“Your daughter. I must speak with her.” He looked past George to see if she might be in the kitchen .

George seemed uncertain. “Oh, Diana… let me think. I do not believe she would be at her writing this late in the afternoon, but I can go check if you like .”

“No, thank you, I will ask her mother. She might know .”

“Splendid idea, I believe she must be in the gallery .”

“Yes, I know,” Robert said, already retreating and heading out the front gate .

He burst into the gallery. “Good day, Mrs. Browning… Diana, do you know where I might find her ?”

Ann thought for a moment. “Yes, I believe she either went to visit the twins or she went for a walk in the meadow. However, it is a bit chilly …”

But Robert had already left and was racing down the street toward the Sinclair’s. He stopped and knocked rapidly at their door. Miriam answered .

“Oh, hello, Robert. How lovely to see you .”

“Diana, is she with you ?”

“Ah, no, but …”

Again Robert was already racing away. He scaled the stile and began looking for Diana across the meadow. Then he saw her far ahead walking with the Goodwin sisters .

“Damn. Another delay,” he said to himself. But he raced forward and was out of breath by the time he reached them .

“Good afternoon, ladies .”

Diana turned to him, surprised to see him. “Robert. What a surprise. We did not have an appointment scheduled, did we ?”

“No. However, I should very much like to speak with you… privately,” he said, tipping his hat to the sisters. “Ladies, it is a pleasure to see you again .”

“And you, Milord,” Kitty replied .

Robert took hold of Diana’s arm and pulled her aside and whispered, “Might I have a moment alone with you ?”

Diana seemed to be slightly flustered by his insistent demand .

“Yes, you may, but I am with the sisters and I cannot abandon them out in the meadow. Can it wait until we reach home ?”

Robert had to constrain himself, but he said, “Of course. I shall be happy to accompany you three back to your houses .”

Diana smiled. “Excellent.” She turned to the sisters. “Would you mind us returning home now? The Earl has an urgent matter he needs to discuss .”

“Oh, we can take ourselves home. That is not a problem at all. You go ahead and walk together and we will make our own way home .”

“Are you certain that is fine with you?” Diana asked .

“Of course, dear. We are accustomed to walking out here frequently. And thank you for accompanying us this far.” They turned and began walking back, turning their heads and giving a little wave .

As the sisters retreated, Robert and Diana fell into step beside each other. Then Diana said, “The leaves are turning nicely. It is an early autumn this year, do you not think ?”

Robert did not reply, but took her hand, almost without her noticing .

“Miss Diana, I have just come from the most momentous morning .”

“Oh?”

“I have agreed to accept the Viscount’s proposal, as you suggested .”

“Oh, Robert. I know you will ultimately be happy with that decision. I am very proud of you.” She gave Robert’s hand a squeeze .

“And I must tell you that Amelia and the Viscount are now engaged to be married .”

“That is good news, as well,” Diana said with a smile .

“And, she has given me the most pleasing suggestion .”

“Yes?” she asked, glancing up at him .

“My sister is many things. She can be thoughtless, mean-spirited, and even cruel, but she made the most astonishing observation about me that rang so true, it literally took my breath away .

“You are being very mysterious, Robert .”

“I am finding my courage to say what I must .”

Diana stopped and turned to him. “Robert, why ever would you need courage to ask me anything ?”

He turned and looked her directly in the eyes. “Because she recognized what I had not been able to recognize myself. She fully realized that I loved you and she bade me act upon my feelings .”

Diana caught her breath and held her hand to her breast. “Robert, I do not understand. You know I am to be married .”

“Of course, I do, but I can no longer repress my deep love and abundant longing for you. And even if I am rejected, I must speak. I must ask—will you marry me and become the Countess of Donnelly ?

Diana was speechless and began to visibly shake. She put both of her hands to her mouth and stared at Robert .

“I… I… Oh, Robert… I do not know what to say .”

“I have sensed that you might have feelings for me. Tell me truly, could you love me ?”

“Robert, I am already engaged .”

“Then break off the engagement. What can he possibly offer you that I cannot ?”

“Nothing. However…” She faltered .

“What? Tell me what the impediment is .”

She bowed her head and said softly, “Adam arranged a loan to my father so that we might secure our leasehold and not lose the house. Adam made it clear that the loan was contingent on our being married .”

“But disregarding that fact, do you love Adam ?”

She hesitated, but said, “I care for him. I do .”

“But do you love him, Diana?” Robert asked, determined to force the issue .”

Diana looked Robert directly in the eyes, “No, I do not love Adam Hardy. I love you, Robert, Earl of Donnelly .”

Robert’s heart leapt and he took Diana in his arms and held her tightly to him. And then releasing her he stepped back .

“I love you too, Diana Browning. And I think I might have the solution to your concern. Might we go back and speak to your parents ?”

She nodded and took his arm and they headed back toward the cottage both so filled with emotion neither could speak .