D iana made her way to one of the smaller saloons on the ship. The prior evening, Devons mentioned Captain Monroe wanted to meet with them. Since their departure, Diana had only spoken with the man a few times but was thrilled she was about to learn more about their port stops.

Entering the saloon, Diana realized she arrived first. She nodded to the staff who stood in the room, waiting to cater to her or any other passengers.

One wall was covered in large mahogany bookshelves.

She frowned and stepped closer, curious how the books were kept secure.

She smiled. A brass rod at the bottom prevented them from flying out. Clever.

She made her way to a sitting area, and an attendant immediately appeared. “My lady, can I offer you some refreshments?”

“Tea would be wonderful, thank you.”

As the man hurried off, Devons and Captain Monroe stepped through the door.

The captain smacked Devons on the back, and his lips flattened into a straight line.

Captain Monroe seemed oblivious to his annoyance.

Her travel partner didn’t appear to like him very much.

As they reached her, they both bowed before sitting in two wingback chairs.

“Lady Hensley, I recently mentioned to Devons that I believe you have adapted to sea life better than any of the other women we have aboard.”

Diana smiled. “There aren’t too many of us.”

“True. Only ten out of almost a hundred passengers. You are quite the adventuress. The type of woman a ship captain can’t help but admire.”

She blushed, and the man grinned at her cockily. The captain was attractive. Diana suspected he was a charmer in his free time.

“You wanted to talk about the ports, Monroe,” Devons barked.

Diana’s eyes darted to him. He leaned back in his chair with his legs out and arms folded across his chest, frowning at them. Well, he was in quite the mood this morning. The attendant returned with the tea and poured Diana a cup. Both men declined any.

“Lady Hensley, I was talking with Devons, and we believe for the first port you need to stay on the ship until we have identified activities of interest for you.”

What? She would not sit on the ship while they went off exploring. Absolutely not. Her eyes darted to Devons, incredulous.

He held his hands up in denial. “I never agreed to that.”

“Well, I assumed you would agree,” Monroe muttered.

Diana pressed her lips together, considering what she should say to his suggestion. In any other situation in her life, she would have acquiesced, but not today. The Historical Society for Female Curators’ board was relying on her. None of her associates would agree to Monroe’s idea.

“I don’t believe that is the right approach, Captain Monroe. Please keep in mind that, no matter what you discuss with Devons, I speak for the club. He doesn’t. If we are to identify activities at these ports for leisure cruises for future ladies, I will need to be involved.”

The captain shook his head and started to defend his points, but Diana interrupted him. “I must insist.”

Monroe’s eyes swung back to Devons, but he smirked. “She’s the boss.”

“Lady Hensley, the other women on the ship have agree—”

“No, I will go ashore when the men do. Not a moment later,” she stated adamantly.

She glanced at Devons, and he nodded slightly, showing his support. Shifting the conversation, she asked, “When will we arrive at our first stop? I believe you previously mentioned it would be Le Conquet.”

The captain frowned, displeased that she’d moved on from his suggestion. “Le Conquet is a very small village. There won’t be much for you to see.”

“You must have picked the port for some reason. What was it? Your ship is for leisure cruising. While your previous plans didn’t include ladies, you must have a vision for this location,” Diana said.

“You may as well explain your reasoning, as I don’t think she will let it go until you do,” Devons said, sounding amused.

Monroe sighed. “Le Conquet is called the port du bout du mo .”

“The port at the end of the world,” Diana said, translating his words.

The corner of the captain’s mouth tilted up. “You do impress me, Lady Hensley. Men are simple. I believe, regardless of how interesting the actual stop is, they will enjoy writing back to their friends and family that they visited the port at the end of the world.”

Devons nodded, agreeing with Monroe’s idea. “I agree that travelers, including women, will like your gimmick.”

Diana smiled at him, appreciating his help. They still needed something else though. It wasn’t enough. “But why is it called that?”

Monroe ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “There is a peninsula right before the village that is the farthest-reaching piece of land for France. The location makes one feel as if they are standing at the edge of the world.”

“I love it. Can we visit there?” Diana asked.

Monroe nodded. “It isn’t too far from where we will dock. A lighthouse was recently built in the area.”

“I like it. Travelers will enjoy the trip since it’s so close to the port. What about the actual village?” Devons said.

“The stone buildings of the area are also quite lovely.”

Diana frowned. She needed an antiquities component. They were on the cruise for a historical society. “Are there any cultural or historical sites I can visit in the village?”

Monroe stared at her blankly. Diana suspected such topics weren’t of personal interest to the captain. A chuckle escaped Devons. She and Monroe glanced at him. He smiled. “Perhaps, it is best to explore the village on our own to determine if there is anything of interest.”

A scowl filled the captain’s face. “We have never stopped at Le Conquet. You can’t expect me to know everything.”

Diana gave Devons a pointed stare before turning back to Monroe and beaming at him. She didn’t want to upset him. “Of course not. I’m thrilled to find out more about Le Conquet and the surrounding area.”

He smiled at her, and Devons rolled his eyes. She asked, “How long will we be at the port stop?”

“One day, and then the next day, we will anchor by a cove in the area for an afternoon.”

That sounded delightful to Diana. “I’m very excited about our first two stops. After this discussion, I think we can all agree I don’t have to wait on the ship. Do you concur?”

Monroe shook his head but admiration shined in his eyes. “As you wish, my lady. I need to check on some things. I will leave the two of you.”

She had stood her ground. Diana felt proud of herself. She glanced at Devons, who sat quietly with his arms crossed. “What is wrong?”

He stayed quiet. She brought the tea to her lips as she waited for his response.

Finally, he asked, “Is Monroe a consideration?”

A gasp escaped her, and she coughed, trying not to choke on her tea. “I beg your pardon.”

“Monroe, could he be a consideration?”

“Hmmm…I’m not sure. Perhaps I should.”

Devons frowned. “You will be on the ship with him for the next two months. I don’t believe he is appropriate.”

She looked at him, confused. “Should I not consider anyone on the ship?”

He opened his mouth to speak and closed it. She studied him. What was wrong with him today? Eventually, he said, “No, I’m not saying that, but you must work with Monroe and will likely continue to do so after this cruise. It may complicate your business relationship.”

Diana hadn’t thought of that. In truth, she hadn’t considered the captain at all. She glanced at Devons with concern. He looked sullen.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I’m fine,” he said sulkily.

*

Sebastian entered the hayward saloon, where guests congregated for predinner drinks.

He was resolved to be in a better mood and support Diana’s endeavors.

He’d promised her his assistance, and he planned to follow through, no matter how much it unsettled him.

If she thought Monroe made an adequate choice for a flirtation, there was no reason he should stand in the way.

He perused the room, searching for Diana, but only spotted Lady Clark speaking with Mr. Spoor.

He ambled over to them and bowed. “Good evening, Lady Clark,” he said before turning to Mr. Spoor. “Sir.”

“Are you looking for my niece? She is off talking with Captain Monroe about our first stop.”

He glanced around but didn’t see them. Where were they?

When he turned back to Lady Clark, her face contained an amused expression.

He raised a brow. She took another sip of her champagne.

“So, tell me, Devons, have you started to write your first missive to send back to England while we are in Le Conquet?”

“Not yet. Both Diana and I decided we would start sending them once we arrived at our second port.”

Lady Clark nodded. “A sound decision. No one wants to hear about the first few days of travel.”

“Letters to your family?” Mr. Spoor asked.

“Have you not heard? My niece’s club, the Historical Society for Female Curators, partnered with Devons to provide the London Illustrated Chronicles and the British Tattler with a detailed account of our leisure cruise.

They are calling it the next grand tour.

They will present both a woman’s and a man’s perspectives.

The money will go towards setting up their club’s exhibits at Seely House in Mayfair. ”

“What a clever idea. Who came up with it?”

“Have you met Lady Hawley?”

“I’m acquainted with her husband, Lord Hawley. Isn’t he a board member of the London Society of Antiquaries? Why would women want to stand up their own club?”

“Do you have a problem with that,” Lady Clark said sharply. “Because I can’t imagine anyone I consider a friend not supporting such an endeavor.”

The man blanched and shook his head. “You misunderstand me. I’m curious why they didn’t join the London Society of Antiquaries.”

“That club is for men only,” Sebastian explained, ignoring the part about Addie being hellbent on revenge because her husband took her best friend as his lover.

“Ah…there is my niece,” Lady Clark said, glancing at the door.

Sebastian turned. Was the woman trying to bring him to his knees, he thought?

He took a large gulp of his champagne, watching her.

Tonight, she wore a blue dress that emphasized her curvy figure more than anything else he had ever seen her in.

Her hair made a tempting sight, tied on top of her head in loops and curls, with a few escaping down her neck.

She laughed and looked back at someone. Sebastian glowered. Monroe was the cause of her joy.

He took another sip. Diana glanced around the room, and their eyes met.

She smiled softly at him. It did something to him.

I mean, she bloody well did something to his favorite part of his body, it seemed all the time, but this was different.

It was a dip in his stomach, perhaps a flutter.

Damn it. He needed to bed someone and not Diana.

But he couldn’t. Why did he agree to their deal?

He hated abstaining from anything. What was the fun in that?

Diana joined them, excited. “Captain Monroe provided some helpful news.”

Sebastian was glad the man didn’t follow her over. He annoyed him. If he was being honest with himself, his annoyance with Monroe was a new thing. The man often spent time at his club, and he didn’t give him a second thought there. Sebastian simply didn’t like the way he looked at Diana.

“What did he tell you?” Lady Clark asked.

“Mr. Haggerty is meeting with someone about very old manuscripts at a church in Le Conquet. The documents contain tales about various mythical creatures and are believed to have been written by local monks over two hundred years ago. I’m hoping we can convince him to allow us to join him during his visit to the church. What do you think, Devons?”

“That’s a splendid idea,” he said begrudgingly.

She nodded, her eyes alight with excitement. “What lady doesn’t love a legend?”

He smiled. Clearly, Diana did.

“You will find Haggerty’s historical studies very insightful. Those lackwits at the London Society of Antiquaries messed up when they hemmed and hawed about allowing him entry into their club. Now, he’d never join them,” Spoor revealed.

Sebastian’s eyes flew to Diana’s, knowing that Spoor’s revelation was something that she could use. She grinned back at him, equally excited.

Continuing, Spoor said to Diana, “Your aunt told me you and Devons are to write about our travels.”

Diana beamed. “Yes. The proceeds will go to the Historical Society for Female Curators.”

Spoor’s gaze flicked to Devons. “And how did you become involved?”

Devons shrugged.

A frown filled Diana’s face. “None of this would be possible without Devons. He’s our silent partner in the club.”

He knew what she was doing. Diana, like all properly gracious ladies, wanted to make sure he was acknowledged for his part, but he didn’t need that. “Very silent partner.”

“Very modern of you to be supportive of a women-only scholarly club,” Spoor said to Devons.

He nodded. “I think it’s a worthy cause.”

An amused expression flitted across Diana’s face. He lifted a brow at her.

Diana grinned at him. “Sebastian Devons, the champion of women.”

If someone had asked him before Addie’s crazy scheme if he held such beliefs, he would have laughed but now his thoughts had changed.

Why should it be so far-fetched or shocking for women to have their own club?

Mr. Carlson rang a bell to signal the start of dinner.

He offered his arm to Diana, his friend, he reminded himself. “May I escort you?”