Page 19
E veryone on the weather deck applauded as the SS Lark docked at the Le Conquet port.
Diana was excited to tour the village but also equally thrilled to visit the lighthouse.
From the ship, the Port at the End of the World took Diana’s breath away and she didn’t want to miss a single thing.
The jagged coastline was both stunning and treacherous.
Captain Monroe stated at dinner the previous evening that the area was rampant with shipwrecks, explaining the need for the new lighthouse.
Diana’s eyes wandered over the stone buildings of the village, hoping the history of the region was as fascinating as the scenery. Devons joined her. “Excited?”
She turned to him, beaming. “Of course.”
His mouth tilted up, and his eyes roamed over her. “Excitement and travel suits you.”
Heat rushed to Diana’s cheeks.
“I’m not flirting with you. I’m simply making an observation,” he added.
His compliment filled her with so much happiness that she had to remind herself he could be no more than a friend. She wanted a liaison but not one with someone nursing a broken heart. “You are too kind.”
His smile turned into a smirk, and for a moment, Diana suspected his thoughts were not innocent. “Kind might not be the appropriate description.”
“Devons,” she scolded.
He sighed and changed the subject. “Where is your aunt? Is she unwell?”
Diana nodded to where Aunt Winifred, a recovered Audrey, and Mr. Spoor stood, watching sailors prepare the ship so they could all disembark.
“I wanted to say thank you for not siding with Captain Monroe. I need him to see me as capable of making itineraries for ladies interested in a leisure cruise.”
“I know nothing about what interests a lady when it comes to travel,” Devons said and then winked. “That isn’t my expertise.”
She blushed again and he chuckled. What was it about Sebastian Devons? Why was the man so handsome? No, that wasn’t the right word. He was sinfully intoxicating. She turned redder. His eyes raked over her before looking away to stare at the port activity.
“You are a shameless flirt, Mr. Devons. How will I keep women away from you?”
“You have done an exceptional job so far,” he said, turning back to face her.
She snorted. “There are ten women on the Lark , and one is my aunt and the other is my lady’s maid. I don’t think I have done anything at all.”
“Are you suggesting, I’m going to step off this ship and women will flock to me? Am I that appealing?”
She let her eyes wander over him. Diana had no doubt that Devons knew he made a dashing figure in his tweed jacket and hat.
A glint formed in his eyes and Diana realized he was enjoying her perusal.
A warmth spread across her stomach and further down her body.
No! She would not think about Devons in this way.
“I won’t give your ego a boost by flattering you.”
He leaned in a breath from her ear and murmured. “You already have.”
Before she could say more, they were interrupted by the arrival of her aunt. “Mr. Haggerty is on the deck. Mr. Spoor has gone to fetch him for you.”
Diana stepped away from Devons as if they had been doing something much more than talking. He smiled at her and the warmth flowing through her body intensified. She reassured herself it would pass.
Later in the day, after disembarking, Diana, Devons, her aunt, Mr. Spoor, and Audrey followed Mr. Haggerty as he was guided by a Monsieur Benard through the cobblestone streets to the one church in the village.
The man had met them at the dock and said for a small fee, he would take them anywhere they like.
Diana ran her hand along a stone building as they walked.
While the buildings weren’t grand or opulent, they had been picturesque to see as they arrived in port.
Diana spied the top of the church. She was delighted that Mr. Haggerty had invited them to join him.
He’d been happy they were interested in the manuscripts.
She glanced back to see Devons in the back of their merry group of travelers, making sure no one was falling behind.
Not only was he intoxicating but also considerate.
The man was too much. He was made up of so many contradictions.
Though, Diana supposed one could be roguish and decent. She smiled at the thought.
Monsieur Bernard halted, startling her. He spun around to face them. “ L’église. ”
“What did he say?” Aunt Winifred said, sounding winded.
“The church,” Sebastian drawled.
Diana’s eyes darted to him, and he smirked. “You aren’t the only one who knows French, my lady.”
“It’s called Chapelle Dom Michel ,” Mr. Haggerty said. “Please wait here while I talk with the priest. I want to make sure he is comfortable having so many visitors.”
Aunt Winifred fanned herself. “I’m parched. Perhaps, I could convince you, Mr. Spoor, to accompany me to one of these restaurateurs instead of reviewing the manuscripts.”
Mr. Spoor nodded. “I would be delighted, my lady.”
As they started to walk off, her aunt turned back to Audrey. “Would you like to join us or sit in the hot drafty church?”
Devons chuckled. Audrey looked at Diana and she shooed her to Aunt Winifred.
Diana’s aunt had no interest in anything historical, but she didn’t hold it against her.
Diana wouldn’t be on the trip without her.
While, as a widow, she could travel alone, it was far more proper to do so with a companion.
As her aunt and the others disappeared, Mr. Haggerty and Monsieur Bernard walked out of the church. Their guide frowned, confused to see only Diana and Devons.
“They decided to visit one of the restaurateurs instead,” Devons explained.
“Do they know which one is best?” Monsieur Bernard asked, clearly unhappy he wasn’t consulted.
Diana and Devons glanced at each other and then back at him.
Pointing in the direction they left, Diana said, “I’m not sure but they went that way.”
Monsieur Bernard nodded. “Do not worry. I will find them and help.”
He wandered off, and Diana and Devons trailed Haggerty into the church. An older priest stood inside waiting for them. “ Bonjour .”
“This is Father Jean. He is one of the priests here fluent in English. He will be showing us the manuscripts today,” Haggerty explained.
The man smiled before walking to a door at the end of the church.
They followed him, passing into a smaller room.
Laid out on tables were dozens of scrolls.
They were beautiful, each decorated with vibrant colors and drawings.
She moved closer to one, fascinated by the depiction of a very short mischievous man.
Father Jean joined her. “That is a korrigan .”
Devons and Haggerty moved next to her, and he continued his explanation. “ Korrigans are troublemakers. The writing explains one should hope to never encounter them. They cause all types of mischief.”
Haggerty practically pushed Diana out of the way to stand in front of the manuscript.
A flash of annoyance passed over Devons’s face.
Diana held back a laugh. Father Jean moved to another one.
“And these are also at times called korrigans but mostly sirens. They are beautiful creatures that tempt men to their deaths.”
Diana’s eyes flicked over to Devons. He smiled. “I like this tale more.”
Of course he did. She rolled her eyes. “You would.”
Haggerty asked, “How old are these?”
Father Jean paused, thinking about his question. “Three hundred years.”
“And you have them out in the open?” Haggerty said.
The priest shrugged. “Not all the time. I took them out for you to pick the ones you want to take back with you.”
Diana’s eyes swung to Haggerty. “You are bringing these back to England.”
“Father Jean has agreed to loan them to me so I can better study the history of the region.”
These manuscripts could be exhibited at the Seely House. Diana beamed at Haggerty. “Perhaps afterward, we could discuss an idea I have.”
A few hours later, Diana took Devons’s hand as she stepped out of the carriage. The ride to the lighthouse had been bumpy but short. Only Monsieur Bernard had joined them, the rest of their crew of travelers had decided to stay in the village enjoying the food and shopping.
Diana’s eyes flitted around, taking in the rocky, rugged coastline, the stone fort, and the lighthouse jutting out at the farthest point of land.
The area was both beautiful and terrifying.
Perhaps it was the wind and overcast skies, but the setting reminded Diana of something one might read about in a Gothic novel.
“This might be my favorite part of our visit,” Devons said as he took in the scenery.
“More so than learning about your sirens,” she teased.
He grinned at her wickedly. “Maybe, I will see one. Monsieur Bernard is going to ask the guard at the fort if we can walk out to the lighthouse.”
“Truly?”
Devons laughed. “You were so distracted by the sights I’m guessing you missed that. He also stated the lighthouse is yet to be open but will be by the end of the year. We will be some of the first people to stand at the edge of the world.”
“I hope they let us out there.”
An amused expression flickered across his face. Diana placed her hands on her hips. “What is so funny?”
He grinned. “I’m not sure I would have ever predicted how adventurous you are. It will be windy.”
Diana’s gaze flicked to the lighthouse jutting out of the coastline.
Perhaps, fear should be what she felt but instead, she was filled with excitement.
She wanted to stand at the farthest point.
Monsieur Bernard stepped out of the stone building, smiling and motioning them over.
Both Diana and Devons joined him. Their guide clapped excitedly.
“The guard said you may walk out to the lighthouse. You are lucky—if it were any windier, he wouldn’t allow it.
I will wait here. I don’t like heights, and the wind will make me nervous. ”
Table of Contents
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- Page 19 (Reading here)
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