Page 15

D iana glanced around Addie’s massive drawing room before her eyes landed on her travel companion.

He laughed with her sister and Sam. She took a sip of her champagne as her gaze roamed over Devons.

His broad frame overpowered the space he stood in.

His dark hair curled at the base of his head, tempting someone to run their fingers through it.

He ran his hand along his jaw, drawing her eyes there.

He was scruffier than she remembered. It intensified the air of wickedness around him.

She sighed. There was no denying the appeal he had.

“He looks like sin but the best kind,” Aunt Winifred whispered next to her.

A rosy blush appeared on Diana’s cheeks, horrified that her aunt suspected where her mind was. Could others also read her so well?

“I can’t believe we are traveling with him for the next two months. I would have so much fun if I were twenty years younger.”

“Aunt!”

She laughed. “Oh, an old lady can dream. You are still young, though.”

Diana’s redness deepened. “Mr. Devons and I would not suit.”

Her aunt studied the man and then turned back to her. “Why not?”

“Well, because he is him, and I am me.”

Her aunt lifted a brow at her. “Yes, two attractive people. I will enjoy watching what happens between the two of you.”

“What will you enjoy?” Arthur asked, appearing in front of them.

Aunt Winifred’s smile dimmed a little. She disliked Arthur and loved to tell Diana he was boring. Diana, horrified she would say something about Devons, quickly said, “Arthur, would you escort me outside to get some fresh air?”

He beamed. “I was just about to suggest the same thing, my lady.”

Diana placed her champagne glass on a table and smiled at her aunt. “We shall return shortly.

Her aunt winked at her, likely knowing why she was fleeing. Diana and Arthur walked to the terrace doors, and she instinctively glanced back to where Devons stood but only saw Sam and Clara.

They made their way down the steps into the garden, joining other lords and ladies. What Addie called a small dinner was attended by far more people than Diana expected. Interest in their club and leisure cruise was already evident.

“I can’t believe I will not see you for two months,” Arthur lamented.

“It will go by quickly.”

He frowned. “And that you are traveling with Sebastian Devons.”

She sighed. Of everyone who knew of her adventure, Arthur took her leaving the hardest and was horrified to discover that Devons would be joining her. He’d told her ladies like her did not partner with such men.

He’d then questioned the characters of those in the club, making a snide comment about Addie. Diana had admonished him. The discussion was the only time they’d come close to being cross with each other. He’d eventually apologized.

She’d not wanted to leave with him so upset, so she reassured him that she would have her aunt as a companion and that she and Devons would be two of hundreds of people on the ship.

“I have already explained that we will see each other in a limited capacity. There is nothing to be worried about.”

He sighed. “Thank you for trying to put my mind at ease, and I’m sorry I brought it up again. It only worries me because of his reputation. The man owns a scandalous club, after all. With a potential union in our future, I want nothing to tarnish your character.”

Diana ignored his comment about marriage, instead focusing on his attitude towards Devons. “The Den is very successful, and as our primary investor, there is much we can learn from him related to business processes.”

He nodded reluctantly, and they continued to stroll along the candle-illuminated paved pathways of the gardens. They walked silently for a while, smiling and nodding at other guests they passed. Unexpectedly, Arthur pulled her down a more private pathway, and Diana looked at him startled.

“I wanted us to have a moment alone.”

She smiled, and he brought her to a beautiful, large, open area bordered by hedges lit by the moon. She turned to him, unsure what he was about. He was acting very unlike himself.

“Diana, you look very lovely tonight.”

She smiled, happy she wore one of her favorite blue ball gowns.

Diana had also forgone her cap, deciding to take a break from wearing it until she returned from her trip.

She was going on an adventure, after all.

Her lady’s maid Audrey had worked some magic, twisting her hair up in luxurious curls on the top of her head while the rest trailed down her back.

“Thank you, Arthur. Your words mean so much to me.”

He leaned closer, and Diana realized he planned to kiss her. Another kiss flashed in her mind, but she pushed it away, telling herself this was the man she wanted to receive such a gesture from. He whispered, “I would like to take liberties with you. Is that all right?”

“Yes,” she said.

He brushed his lips across hers. Diana kept her eyes shut, expecting more. He laughed, causing them to flutter open. The kiss was over.

Arthur beamed at her, “Thank you for allowing me to be so forward. I hope it was to your liking?”

She was shocked by the chasteness of the kiss. Diana had expected something different. She flushed, embarrassed at her own thoughts. She’d wanted more.

“My lady,” he prodded.

Diana forced herself to smile. “It was lovely.”

He tucked her hand back in the crook of his arm. “That will help tide us over until your return.”

A red glow across the clearing caught her attention.

Her eyes narrowed, and she studied it. The light flared brighter, revealing Devons, smoking a cigar and standing in one of the alcoves formed by some hedges.

That man! Was he spying on her? Had he witnessed the kiss?

She turned back to Arthur. “Will you escort me back?”

He smiled and led the way. As they headed back to the lit area of the garden, Diana pondered why Devons hadn’t revealed himself.

She blushed, knowing he’d been watching them.

She was so focused on him she didn’t realize they were on a pathway with other people until Arthur said, “Stay here. I will fetch us some champagne.”

Diana nodded and wandered over to the fountain of the central garden. Her body tensed as someone came to stand next to her. She didn’t have to look at him to know it was Devons. She pursed her lips. “So, you have taken to spying on me now?”

He said nothing at first. She turned to him and lifted her brow. His eyes roamed over her, lingering on her hair falling over her shoulders. Finally, he said, “I was there first. I didn’t realize you and Lord Tremont would be sharing an intimate encounter.”

Diana flushed. “You should have announced yourself.”

“And interrupted your tender moment?”

“It truly was.”

He clenched his jaw but remained silent.

“Arthur is the epitome of the type of gentleman I would like to spend my time with.”

She was being harsh but for once in Diana’s life, she didn’t care. She was determined to show him she wanted nothing to do with him. That the kiss she received from Arthur was what she desired.

He turned to her then. Fire flashed in his eyes. “No man should need to ask if his kiss was to a lady’s liking.”

So, he had heard everything. She had the urge to rail and yell at this man.

Fury welled in her. Their furious eyes met.

And Diana knew they were both thinking about the same thing.

Their moment together. His gaze flicked to her mouth.

Heat shot through her body. No! She wouldn’t be attracted to this man, she told herself.

Her stare turned haughty. “If the man were a gentleman, he would ask.”

Devons dared to smirk at her, and she wanted to kick him.

His eyes slid down her body, pausing at her bosom as she took a deep breath.

He leaned closer, and for a moment, pure desire throbbed between them.

It was so strong that it left Diana speechless and demanded she remove the space between them.

She felt her body sway towards him just as Devons stepped back, shaking his head as if to make all the emotions disappear.

“There you both are!” Addie said, walking down the central pathway of the gardens. “I would like to discuss a few things with you both before you depart. Come with me.”

Diana should wait for Arthur’s return, but she needed to be away from Devons. Not sparing her soon-to-be travel partner another glance, she began to follow behind Addie, but he reached out, stopping her. She looked at him, confused.

Appearing more contrite, Devons said, “I would like to have a private word with you.”

Diana had spent too much time with this man already. Starting in two days, she would be with Devons on a ship for months. “We can talk on the SS Lark . We will have plenty of time.”

He frowned, but she didn’t give him time to respond. Instead, she spun around and hurried after Addie.

*

The next day, Sebastian stood in his study, nodding in response to Sam Kincaide’s words but not really listening.

Instead, he watched Diana walk around her garden with Lord Tremont or, as she explained to him, the epitome of her type of gentleman.

Sebastian assumed the man was spending one last moment with her before she left on the leisure cruise.

He shouldn’t be watching them, but he remained baffled by what drew Diana to the man.

Tremont was one of the few gentlemen who didn’t frequent any of the clubs of vice that were so popular with the peerage.

Sebastian knew that because of his own connections among the owners of the various establishments.

Yes, from a societal standpoint, Diana and Tremont suited perfectly.

Still, the man’s kiss was the most awkward token of affection Sebastian had ever witnessed. He almost felt sorry for him. Diana should want more than a brief kiss. Last night, he’d desperately wanted to show her the right way to kiss a lady in a darkened garden.

He would not act on his desires. Sebastian made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t be improper around her anymore, and he planned to stick to it. He still owed Diana an apology. Embarrassment coursed through him that he’d fallen for Lilah’s false words.

Diana and Tremont passed the gate at the back of his garden, and he leaned forward, studying them. She stopped and tipped her head back, laughing. Her hair was styled without the atrocious cap she usually wore. He rubbed his jaw as he observed her, wondering what Tremont had said to make her laugh.

“Devons, are you listening?”

He turned back to where Sam Kincaide sat in a wingback chair drinking a brandy. The man looked at him, puzzled. Sebastian pulled himself away from the window and joined him in the sitting area.

“Sorry, I’ve been distracted lately.”

“A woman?” Kincaide said with a wink.

“No,” Sebastian lied.

Kincaide laughed and shrugged. “If you say so.”

“I’m sure this isn’t why you came to visit me.”

Frowning, his guest shook his head and took another sip from his glass. Was something wrong with Diana?

“Is it Lady Hensley?”

“I wanted to ask if you would look out for my sister-in-law. My wife worries she may be naive about certain aspects of life.”

Sebastian lifted a brow. “You want me to act as her chaperone?”

Kincaide laughed. “No. She is a grown woman and should do as she likes. My wife insisted I emphasize that point. Still, if anyone dangerous or unseemly attempts to engage her, we are requesting you assist her.”

Devons was already protective of Diana but wouldn’t share that with Kincaide. “Of course.”

“I knew you would. Thank you. I have one more matter to discuss with you. My mother-in-law may accompany Diana on the return leg of your cruise. If she appears to be up to anything, please send us word.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened. Many years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Claremore fled England for the continent with scandal chasing their heels.

Why would they return? They’d tried to marry Kincaide’s wife off to a madman.

The lunatic, at one point, kidnapped her.

Sebastian and his brother helped the Kincaide family track them down.

As if sensing his confusion, Kincaide added, “My father-in-law has passed, and the duchess wishes to resettle in England. Diana has agreed to assist.”

“That seems very forgiving of her,” Sebastian stated.

“Diana is perhaps the kindest person I know, which is why I worry my mother-in-law is up to something.”

“You have my word.”

His guest smiled, relieved. He raised his drink to Devons. “Cheers to you and Diana’s trip. There is already a good deal of excitement about this leisure cruise. I’m looking forward to hearing about your adventures in the papers.”

Sebastian held his glass up before taking a large drink of his brandy. He embraced the burn as it went down his throat. The more he learned about Diana, the more he realized how inaccurate his perception of her was. He was a scoundrel. Twice, he had dragged the proper lady into wicked fun.

No more mishaps, he told himself. He would be a well-behaved man in her presence. He took another sip of his brandy, trying to ignore his disappointment. Sebastian pulled out his pocket watch and opened the front case. His eyes flicked to the words contained there.

To my son, Sebastian Devons. Know you are loved by me.

—your proud father, the Marquess of Derry.

He flipped to the back case where the text he tried to live by was engraved. He would do better.

“So, who will be playing host while you are away? I imagine Miller or Derry won’t be keen to stay away from their wives that much.”

Sebastian snapped the pocket watch closed. “Celeste, our host for the card tables, will step in. She is more than adequately skilled to take my place. Truthfully, I’m worried I will return and will discover I’m unneeded.”

Kincaide smiled. “I like Celeste, but I’m surprised you selected a woman. You will have society talking.”

“They talk about me anyways.”

A chuckle escaped Kincaide. “True. Enjoy the cruise. I was surprised you agreed to such an endeavor.”

Sebastian was still shocked that he himself was going.

He would never admit it to his brother, but he was right.

The mess with Lilah had made him angry, spilling over into everything he did.

He always enjoyed drinking, playing host to the ton , and the occasional trysts, but since Lilah, it had been at an excess he knew was too much.

Still, he wasn’t about to reveal that to Kincaide.

Instead, he said, “You know Addie. She can be damn convincing.”

They both laughed.