Kathleen, the connection is not shown now because at that time J. R. R. Tolkien (Tolkien-1) was the "Profile of the Week" (A connection anchor), so connections to him were searched within 100 degrees.
You might find a connection between J. R. R. and you. See this post:
https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/373717/there-is-much-more-you-can-do-with-connection-finder
By the way, based on Relationship Finder, Lady D (Spencer-40) and you are 16th. cousins (Don´t forget to click on SEARCH 30 GENERATIONS).
Lady D was the daughter in law of Queen Elizabeth II. And J. R. R. Tolkien is 14 degrees from Lady D:
https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Special:Connection&action=connect&person1Name=Windsor-1&person2Name=Tolkien-1
Kathleen, the email was sent on 31 May 2017.
(I replaced my ID with yours in the connection link of the email I received)
I hope this may help you.