“Sir, I need to go back down. You asked for coal. You will get your coal .”
“Now, that’s more like it,” the Misses said, crossing her arms over her ample bosom .
The butcher was surprised by the lad’s pluck .
“But are you certain you are able to do that ?”
“Yes, sir. It will just take a moment. Sorry for the delay .”
Tommy did not want to waste any time, and he hobbled from the rooms down again to the cellar. He could tell he would show bruises and his left knee was scraped, but he also knew he was not seriously injured .
Diana checked the clock and put down her pen. She would need to work on this later. This was an important day. It was time to escort her father and Adam to the solicitors to sign the papers for the leasehold .
As she prepared herself to leave, she heard knocking at the front door. It was, undoubtedly, Adam. He always tended to be a little early. She hoped her father would answer the door. But the knocking continued, so she went to answer it herself .
She opened the door to find a gentleman she did not know .
“Is this the home of Professor George Browning ?”
“Yes, it is .”
“Is he available ?”
“Might I ask who is calling?” she inquired .
“I am Sir Desmond Gallagher in service of Her Majesty the Queen. Might I speak to the professor personally ?”
“Yes, of course, please come in .”
She led him to the sitting-room .
“I will fetch him immediately .”
“Thank you .”
“Make yourself comfortable. He will be right with you .”
Diana raced upstairs and knocked on her father’s study door and went inside .
“Are we ready to leave for the solicitors?” he asked .
“No, Father,” she said, both excited and flustered. “There is a gentleman who asks to see you .”
“A gentleman ?”
“His name is Sir Desmond Gallagher and he says he is from Her Majesty .
Father looked at her not comprehending. “The Queen? Our Queen? Victoria ?”
“Yes, Father .”
“Oh, my. I hope she doesn’t want to lop off my head .”
Diana laughed. “Oh, Father. You know that could not be the case .”
“Well, one never knows. Perhaps I published something seditious without realizing it .”
“Well, there is certainly one way to find out. Come .”
She offered her hand, he took it, and they went down to the sitting-room and entered to find Sir Desmond examining one of her father’s books .
“I believe I read this at university,” Sir Desmond said. “And you are Professor Browning ?”
“Yes, I am. And how may I assist you ?”
The gentleman placed the book back on the shelf and continued, “I am Sir Desmond Gallagher, emissary from her Majesty Queen Victoria .”
“Emissary, then you must have a message for me ?”
“I do.” He pulled a large envelope from a case that he carried. “Her Majesty wishes to inform you that she has chosen to bestow upon you the Order of Merit for your scholastic excellence and to honor the range, breadth, and contribution of your published works. Congratulations, Professor .”
Her father was speechless, so Diana stepped forward .
“He is overcome with emotion by the honor. Might I accept the envelope for him ?”
“Of course. And we will be contacting him shortly with the details of the investiture .”
The meeting was interrupted by knocking at the front door. Diana realized that must be Adam. She quickly checked the clock and saw that their appointment at the solicitors was in just thirty minutes .
“Sir Desmond, I must answer the door, but might we offer you a glass of sherry ?”
“That would be lovely .”
Diana turned to her father. “That must be Adam. Will you please pour a sherry for Sir Desmond ?”
Father seemed to regain his wits. “Certainly .”
Diana dashed out of the sitting-room and went to the door .
Adam was standing smiling at her. “Are we ready to go? I have the necessary documents from my father for the loan .”
“Come with me.” Diana reached over and grabbed Adam’s arm and led him toward the gallery .
“What?”
They burst into the gallery and Diana cried out. “Mother, come. It is very important .”
Mother stood up at her easel. “Is something wrong with your father?” she asked anxiously .
“Not at all. But come with me. Both of you .”
Diana ran breathlessly ahead to the sitting-room with them following behind .
She proudly announced, “Father has just been awarded the OM. Is that not splendid ?”
* * *
A s toasts of sherry were being offered, Diana turned to her father and whispered, “Father, the solicitors. We are already running late .”
“Oh, yes. That must be attended to immediately.” He turned to Sir Desmond. “You must excuse us but we have a most urgent appointment we must attend to. Can you forgive us for dashing off ?”
“Of course. Are you all leaving ?”
“All except for my wife, Ann .”
“Then we shall have a delightful conversation until you return. I still have a number of details I should like to discuss with you .”
“We should not be too long .”
“Father, come. We must leave now,” Diana insisted .
Father nodded to Sir Desmond and gathered together Diana and Adam, and they left to finally secure the leasehold for the next fifty years .
Chapter 17
T he House of Lords was in session and Robert and Amelia had gone down to London and were staying in their house in Bedford Square. Robert also wanted to meet with his London property agents to review his holdings and Amelia wanted to shop .
The Viscount of Berwick was also in attendance at the first meeting of the Lords, and Robert did everything he could to avoid the gentleman. However, just as Robert was slipping out of the chambers, he was accosted by Ludlow and a few other honorable gentlemen and he could not conveniently escape without making a scene and embarrassing himself .
“Robert, Amelia told me you would be coming up for the session .”
“As you can see,” Robert answered curtly .
“I am giving an intimate dinner party next Wednesday. You and Amelia must attend. Aggie will be there, as will Constance and the Bradfields. It will be most amusing .”
“I will need to check with Amelia to see if she is engaged that evening .”
“She is. She has already accepted my invitation .”
This put Robert in a most awkward position. “Very well. If she has already accepted then I am much obliged. However, I trust there will be no discussion of your damned canal .”
The Viscount smiled enigmatically and said, “I would not dream of it. Absolutely no discussions of business at dinner. Strictly not comme il faut . However, I know how much you enjoy contemporary literature. I feel certain there are many interesting topics we might engage in at table on that subject. Particularly exploring new books coming out in the autumn. No ?”
Robert did not like the sound of that. Had he learned of Robert’s publishing venture? But he was only concerned right now with getting away from the Viscount. He could deal with the consequences of his acceptance to dinner later if need be. One could always find an excuse and a way out of any engagement .
“Good day gentlemen,” he said, turning to leave for his chambers where he could remove his ceremonial robe .
As he was leaving, he was approached by a gentleman he recognized from Her Majesty’s court .
“My Lord Donnelly, might I have a word with you?” the gentleman asked .
“Certainly. How may I be of service ?”
“Her Majesty requests your attendance at the palace tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. Is that convenie
nt ?”
“Tell Her Majesty it will be my great pleasure to attend .”
“My Lord,” the man said, nodding and turning away .
A royal summons? Not unheard of but a surprise, nonetheless, as he could see no reason for her request .
* * *
T he next morning, he appeared at court dressed in the appropriate formal wear and on time .
He was ushered to the Queen’s morning chambers where he was announced. The room fronted the palace and was spacious but sparsely furnished. The sun streamed in though large windows, but the queen was shaded by a wall that backed her desk where she sat reading the daily papers sent to her from parliament .
Crossing the room to her Majesty, Robert stopped, bowed, and waited for her to speak first. It was also customary for him to remain standing during the interview .
“My Lord Donnelly,” she addressed him, “It is a pleasure to see you again. And how is your charming sister ?”
“Very well, Your Majesty. She sends you her warmest regards. She has hopes of seeing you again soon .”
“And that is exactly why I have summoned you. I remember so fondly our stay at Balfour last summer. I remember how delightful it was sipping champagne in your Roman temple by the lake. And as I was longing to get away from London I wanted to see how you felt about another royal visit ?”
“It would be my greatest pleasure and honor to welcome you. Have you set a date ?”
“I know it is rather sudden but we were hoping to escape the palace in late June. Would that be convenient ?”
“My only commitment is to the fete I host each summer at Balfour . I believe it is the last Saturday of June .”
“That sounds delightful. I have not visited a fete in years. When I was a young girl, I used to escape the family’s summer confines and walk anonymously amongst the village folk each summer at our local fete. I even participated in a tug of war once. Fell flat on my derrière. Mamma had a fit when I returned with a muddy frock .”
“Your Majesty… How very daring of you .”
They both laughed .
“Everyone sees me as this rather prudish matron, but I am a married woman and I have my less formal side, shall we say .”
“As I have witnessed. The warm side of a lovely lady .”
“Not that I do not have my trials and tribulations …”
“I understand parliament has been a particular thorn in your side regarding Albert’s memorial .”
The queen nodded. Then she picked up a paper from her desk .
“Which brings me to my second request .”
“However I might be of service,” Robert replied .
“I have an honors investiture for a gentleman in your neighborhood and I thought it might be a nice gesture if we were to hold it at Balfour during my stay. What would you say to that ?”
“During the fete, perhaps ?”
“Lovely idea. A little pomp and pageantry for the locals. I like that .”
“And who is the gentleman in question ?”
The queen picked up her lorgnette and examined the paper. “Professor George Browning of St. John’s College, Cambridge. Might you have heard of the fellow ?”
“Indeed I have, Your Majesty. He was a lecturer from my university days. And he is a current acquaintance through his daughter Diana, with whom I have a professional relationship .”
The queen smiled. “A romance, perhaps ?”
“Alas, not so. The lady in question is engaged to be married. Our relationship is strictly professional. We have a business arrangement .”
It certainly would not do to tell Her Majesty of his budding career as a novelist .
“Lord Donnelly, you are not married are you ?”
“Not yet .”
“Pity. A handsome and prosperous young gentleman as yourself should be setting an example to the sometimes shiftless lower classes. Marriage is a respectable institution that must be upheld by the aristocracy as a model of social propriety. Should it not ?”
“Most certainly, Your Majesty .”
* * *
“O h, Robert, how could you?” Amelia demanded. “How are we to prepare for a royal visit in two weeks? Do you have any idea of the work involved ?”
Robert and Amelia were at dinner later that evening in their London house. Robert just beamed at her. “But Amelia, my dear, you are so competent. I have no doubt you and the staff can accomplish miracles in half the time .”
Amelia nervously pushed the food around on her plate with her fork. “But it is not just a royal social visit but a formal investiture as well .”
“That is to be held at the fete, and since I am managing that, I shall take full responsibility for organizing that event .”
Amelia took a sip of her wine. “I do not suppose you ran into the Viscount of Berwick at the Lords yesterday, did you ?”
“I did. And it seems you accepted a dinner engagement for us for next Wednesday without consulting me .”
“It seemed harmless enough. And I know you so enjoy the company of the Bradfields. Ann is so bright and charming and Chester is always good for a laugh or two .”
“Well, I do not see how it is possible for us to attend now, do you ?”
Amelia frowned. “And why not ?”
“Well, as you yourself said, we have a royal visit to prepare for. And only two weeks to organize it. I think we must return home immediately tomorrow morning .”
‘But… oh, Robert, you are a terrible person. How you vex me with your idiosyncratic behavior. I have not done but one third of my shopping, and I have scheduled ever so many teas with old friends. Now you are saying we must abandon London ?”
“But my dear Amelia, I could hardly refuse her Majesty’s request for a visit, now could I ?”
Amelia sighed and pointed to the footman to serve her another glass of Burgundy .
Robert had become curious lately about Amelia’s relationship with the Viscount and asked, “My darling sister, you seem to have a close and reoccurring relationship with Ludlow Russell. I see you riding off in the direction of his estate quite frequently. Are the two of you courting ?”
Amelia looked at him over the rim of her wine glass—her eyes penetrating. “What would make you think that? He is a neighbor with whom I share certain interests. We amuse each other. That is all .”
But she looked away, which Robert took to be a sign that she was lying. After all, he had known her all his life and knew her ways .
“The Viscount said the strangest thing to me when he invited us to his dinner party,” Robert continued cautiously .
“And that would be ?”
“He remarked upon my interest in contemporary literature and hinted at my particular interest in new books coming out in the autumn. Rather strange do you not think? It makes me think that he somehow knows about my book. You have not said anything to him about me being published, have you ?”
“Of course not. I would never betray a family secret. You know that.” Again, she did not look Robert in the eyes .
Robert continued to study her and then asked. “Do you remember when we were children? I think I must have been about seven and you were fourteen. I seem to remember that I had done something quite naughty …”
She laughed. “Yes, you were playing with Father’s watch—the one that played music when you opened it .”
“Yes. That was the incident .”
“And you were swinging it by its chain from the balustrade above the entryway staircase, pretending it was an incense censor .
“Like we saw at the Catholic service when we visited Italy with the parents that summer .”
“Yes.”
“And I dropped it .”
“Smashing it into oblivion .”
They both smiled as they recalled the incident .
“And what did you do?” Robert asked .
“I told Father it was I who had dropped it,” Amelia said shyly .
“Yes, you did. And what
did he do to you ?”
“Confined me to my chambers for a month. No riding. No playing. No friends visiting .”
“Because you protected me from punishment .”
Amelia smiled and wagged her head. “No, Robert, not because he thought I broke the watch. He knew it was you. He punished me because I had lied to him .”
Robert was aghast. “I did not know that. Then why didn’t he punish me as well ?”
“I suspect because you were the heir apparent—the favored male child .”
“Oh, Amelia. I am truly sorry about that .”
“And what good does that do?” she asked bitterly. “It is all in the past. Our parents are gone and you have become the head of the family .”
“And Amelia, what do you want for yourself? You are thirty-seven and unmarried .”
“And destined to become a spinster… is that what you are saying ?”
Robert could see he had probed a sore spot. “Not at all. You are an attractive and strong woman. Certainly, there must be many men who would be more than interested in courting you, and you have a substantial living to bring to a marriage .”
“Then where are the offers of marriage?” she asked, as the footman refilled her wine glass for the third time .
“I suspect that your very strength might intimidate some men,” Robert said honestly. “You need someone of equal strength to match you in marriage .”
“No one wants a harpy, is that what you are saying?” she asked, rising from her place at the table and finishing off her glass of wine .
“Amelia…”
“Then let me clearly state that I am not about to change. If men find me intimidating that is too bad for them. I am quite content being who I am and will make no excuse for it. And all I will add is that Ludlow Russell takes me for who I am and respects me for it .”
“Then you and Russell are courting ?”
“Perhaps.”
* * *
B alfour Hall could certainly accommodate a royal visit. It had many times before—from as early as the seventeenth century with the first visit from King Charles the Second. But the task of preparing for a royal visit was enormous. Not only did Victoria need to be catered for but also her large retinue of attendants and servants. And it could not be considered a proper house party without inviting other selected aristocratic guests (list provided by the Queen’s primary attendant) and their servants, as part of the royal couple’s entertainment .
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