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T he carriage rumbled away from the notorious gentlemen’s club, the Den. Diana, the Marchioness of Hensley, couldn’t believe she’d stepped into the place, but she had no other option. She needed to notify her brother-in-law that her sister was missing—no, not missing, but taken.

Diana wished Stuart was in London. Her husband had only departed a few days ago, but he was always much better in a crisis.

“Lady Hensley, Sam Kincaide will find your sister.”

She glanced at Sebastian Devons, who sat across from her, startled to receive such reassuring words from the proprietor of the Den.

He was a bit of a mystery in London—a rakish one.

He couldn’t be more than a few years older than she was, but he exuded confidence and worldliness that she suspected wasn’t normal for someone in their mid-to-late twenties.

She forced a small smile onto her face. “Thank you. I know he will do everything in his power.”

He nodded. “I’m confident she will be found.”

While she appreciated his words, fear still clawed at her, but she forced herself to remain calm.

The man was only trying to be kind. In truth, she was somewhat startled that Sebastian Devons had insisted on making sure she was escorted home safely.

Diana hadn’t expected that at all. Yet here they were, alone together in a carriage in the middle of the night.

Absurdly, she pondered if he often took ladies home at such a late hour. She suspected he did, but for other reasons. A blush tinged her cheeks, and she was grateful they only had the light from the full moon.

“It is very kind of you to offer the assistance of your investigators and guards to help my brother-in-law find my sister.”

He nodded. “I will meet up with Kincaide after I see you home.”

“My husband is out of town. If he were here, he would have gone to your club. I don’t normally go to places such as your establishment.”

Devons lifted a brow, and she added, “Not that there is anything wrong with your business.”

A bark of laughter escaped him, and Diana felt her blush deepen. “I only meant to explain that my husband isn’t here helping because he is traveling.”

“I know your husband, Lady Hensley. He is a good man, and I have no doubt he would be assisting if he were here.”

Diana smiled at his compliment of Hensley. “He didn’t even want to go away. We have a son born only a few months ago, and I had to persuade him that his work still had to be done.”

“I’m sure several lords and businessmen are grateful for your prodding. Hensley and I’ve only had a few conversations, but few could rival his mastery of the business world.”

The emotions she was trying to control threatened to erupt within her. Right now, she wished she’d never encouraged Hensley to leave. Devons leaned forward and brushed away a tear from her cheek. She hadn’t even realized she was crying.

“I promise you, Lady Hensley. Your sister will be found, and I will use everything in my power to assist Sam Kincaide.”

She nodded, horrified to be such a mess in front of this man. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “Don’t apologize. You’ve had a trying evening.”

Diana took a deep breath. “Still, being this emotional isn’t beneficial. Tell me something about yourself.”

He wiggled his eyebrows boyishly. “You want me to tell you about my club?”

She laughed, grateful for the shift in the conversation. “Yes. Tell me, is it as notorious as all the ladies speculate?”

He smiled at her words and winked. “It is, but I like to explain it as a place where people can let all their inhibitions go and not worry about the judgment of others.”

Diana smiled, amused at how he described his club. It wasn’t how others gossiped about it. The carriage stopped, signaling they’d arrived at her townhouse. In truth, Sebastian Devons wasn’t what she expected from all the chatter she’d heard about him.

He stepped out of the carriage and offered her his hand.

Her fingers grasped his as she stepped down.

She blushed, feeling unsure what to say to this man who had been so comforting.

Devons smiled at her reassuringly. “Kincaide or I will send word once your sister is found. Do not fret. She will be home soon. I will leave a guard here just as a precaution.”

Diana nodded and made her way to the door already being opened by a worried butler. Once she reached it, she turned back and saw Devons still standing outside the carriage, waiting until she was safely inside.

Their eyes met, and Diana suspected all that she’d heard of this man before tonight had been inaccurate. “Thank you for all your kindness, Mr. Devons.”

He smiled at her. “Hopefully, this will all be over soon. Tell your husband he is welcome to visit the Den anytime. I will buy him a drink celebrating the arrival of your son.”

“He would like that.”

She walked into the townhouse and let the butler and housekeeper fret over her before she insisted on being left alone in the drawing room.

Diana leaned her head back against the sofa and closed her eyes.

She felt hopeful that Clara would be found and suspected it was because of Mr. Devons’s reassurance.

The corners of her mouth curved up as she reflected on meeting London’s most notorious club owner.

He’d not been what she expected. She would be forever grateful to him for his kindness.

She doubted they would ever speak again and would never confess this aloud, but she was glad to have met him, if only for a moment.