Page 28

D iana strolled into the main saloon, hoping to find a spot to read.

The sun had only come up an hour prior, but she felt restless in her cabin.

She entered the room and found Devons sitting in a wingback chair in the corner.

He was reading a book and hadn’t seen her yet. She quietly turned to leave.

“Lady Hensley,” he said.

She closed her eyes, wishing she had been able to escape before he saw her. Diana took a deep breath and faced him. He was standing and, of course, made a dashing figure.

“Yes.”

An amused smile flickered across his handsome face. “Join me.”

“I would prefer to enjoy my morning. We’ve not been the best company for each other as of late.”

His smile vanished. Diana turned to leave, but Sebastian turned to one of the attendants and asked, “Could you please bring Lady Hensley tea?”

The attendant nodded. Diana frowned at the man who’d spent the last few days being a surly beast. Her proper upbringing prevented her from leaving. She made her way to the sitting area Devons was at and plopped down in the chair, feeling grumpy.

He sat. “Why am I always apologizing to you?”

“Perhaps because you are the moodiest man I have ever met. And men like to say women are irrational.”

A rich throaty laugh erupted from him. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She did love her friendship with Devons when they weren’t fighting. He smiled. “I’m sorry we haven’t spent as much time together the last few days.”

She shrugged. “You said we needed distance, and we couldn’t talk about certain things.”

Devons leaned forward, staring at her intently. “I only said we should stay away from discussions of interludes and flirtations.”

“Admit it, it is you who has been distant from me,” Diana said, trying her best to keep her voice emotionless.

He nodded. “You are right. I’m not perfect. There is an attraction between us, and it wasn’t easy for me to watch you with Messina. I don’t like the pompous count. You deserve better even for the short time we are on this journey.”

Diana wanted to annoy him and said, “I found him quite charming.”

A grimace crossed Devons’s face. “I’m sure you did.”

They sat in silence, and Diana wondered what he was thinking. He sighed and opened and closed his pocket watch. Diana realized he did that when he was restless, upset, or nervous.

“Was there anything specific you hoped to speak with me about?” she asked.

He snapped the watch closed and put it back in his pocket. “I promise not to be so sour. Can we be friends again?”

Part of her angrily wanted to say no but she didn’t. She adored her time with Devons and had missed it. “I never once considered us not friends. Though, you can be a surly beast.”

He tilted his head back and laughed. She smirked at him. “I’m not jesting.”

“I will be better. I was behaving unacceptably. You and I have decided anything more than friendship isn’t a good idea. It isn’t fair for me to be upset over your potential suitors. I want you to live a little. I apologize for acting as if that isn’t the case. It’s hypocritical of me to judge you.”

Diana wanted to say she didn’t remember ever agreeing to what Sebastian said, but she didn’t.

She didn’t want to continue the fight. As much as she hated it, his previous points were valid.

They would be working together when they returned to London.

She didn’t want any awkwardness between them after they returned home.

An attendant threw open the door and said, “Come quickly.”

They looked at each other and rushed after him. They ran up the stairs to the weather deck and headed to the railing. What was going on? Once they made it to the railing, their eyes looked to where he was pointing. “Mermaids.”

Diana gasped and grabbed Devons’s arm. “Dolphins.”

At least a dozen of them leaped out of the water next to the ship.

Their gray skin reflected the sparkling ocean.

It was a sight Diana wasn’t sure she would ever witness again.

She squeezed Devons’s arm harder, and he clasped it with his other hand.

She glanced at him, and he smiled in awe of the creatures.

“Those aren’t mermaids, dolt,” a sailor told the attendant.

“No, they are dolphins,” Diana explained.

The sailor nodded. “They are good luck.”

Diana and Devons continued to watch them until they disappeared. She glanced down and realized she was still holding on to him. She stepped back from him but grinned. “Did we really see that?”

He nodded, still amazed. Moments like this made her realize how much, during this trip, she had grown to adore being friends with Devons.

She didn’t want to lose that, especially for a tryst. Diana would follow Devons’s lead and ignore their attraction.

It would fade, and they would still have their friendship firmly intact.

She nudged him. “I’m glad I got to see this with you. ”

“Me too.”

He held his arm out. “Back to the saloon.”

She took it. “I’ll walk with you but leave you there. I want to write my next letter to the ladies of London with that fresh in my mind.”

An hour later, Diana beamed as she looked down at her missive. She was starting to enjoy writing them. She shook her head still in disbelief at the sight she and Devons witnessed.

To the Ladies of London,

I have so much to tell you, but first, I need to share what I witnessed today.

Mermaids!

Well, dolphins, but that is what the ship attendant called them. They are considered lucky, a sailor told us. Both Mr. Devons and I were lucky enough to see them just after sunrise. Witnessing them frolicking in the water is perhaps the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.

Now, on to Malaga. This city is full of excitement.

We learned several fast-paced dances. I must admit they would be considered quite scandalous in any London ballroom.

Mr. Devons was far better on his feet than I.

We finished our time in Malaga with a visit to a Roman amphitheater.

I wasn’t expecting to see such old ruins, but Malaga is indeed another perfect stop for those ladies hoping to do a similar leisure cruise.

During the trip, I’ve met many travelers that I think will become lifelong friends. I dare say that even Mr. Devons is becoming a dear friend to this proper lady. Ladies, he is a most decent and enjoyable travel companion.

Lady Hensley

*

“I still can’t believe we haven’t seen any since you saw them this morning,” Diana’s aunt said.

Diana laughed. They were seated in the dining saloon with their regular group of people. Devons smiled. “You have to wake before the afternoon to see them.”

Lady Clark scowled at him. “I stood outside for almost an hour, hoping to spot dolphins. One of the sailors said they spotted one farther out. I think he was trying to make me feel better. Were they really that close to the ship?”

Sebastian’s eyes met Diana’s. They had been that close, and he was glad the two of them had witnessed the awe-inspiring creatures together.

All day he’d been delighted that his and Diana’s relationship appeared to be going back to normal.

Well, what it was before the whole Messina debacle.

His mood improvement likely helped the situation.

It wasn’t in Sebastian’s nature to be so surly.

Diana was only his friend. He shouldn’t have behaved like such an ass.

“They were, Aunt,” Diana said, laughter in her voice.

Monroe joined them. “You mostly see them at sunrise.”

Lady Clark scrunched her nose up. “I can’t rise that early.”

“Why is that?” Diana asked Monroe.

Monroe smiled at her. “No one knows. The ocean is a mysterious place.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes. Diana glanced at him and gave him a pointed stare. He grinned. Yes, their relationship was doing much better.

“Tomorrow, we arrive in Sardinia. The waters in the region are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I tried to convince Messina to travel with us, but he couldn’t.

Don’t worry, his family will make sure we are taken care of.

Also, Andria Porcu is from there. He can answer all your questions,” Monroe said before nodding to one of the attendants removing plates from dinner.

“Perhaps, I will go swimming while visiting Sardinia. I have to try it somewhere,” Spoor said.

Monroe nodded. “It is the perfect place for it.”

Diana bit her lip, looking disappointed. Sebastian needed to figure out a way she could swim without worrying about her clothing. Maybe Monroe’s attendant had a solution. Everyone rose to make their way to the other saloons. Sebastian hung back and made his way to where Porcu was removing plates.

“Good evening. May I have a word?”

The small man’s eyes widened, alarmed. “Is something wrong?”

Sebastian smiled reassuringly. “No, not at all. I was wondering if you could help me with something in Sardinia. I need to find a secluded location by the water.”

Porcu frowned as if he was up to something lecherous. For once, Devons wasn’t. He wanted Diana to be able to swim. He decided to tell him the truth. “I need a place where Lady Hensley can enjoy the water, alone. She can’t swim with the rest of the men.”

Porcu nodded, understanding. “I will arrange it for you.”

“You have a spot?”

The man beamed. “I know the perfect one.”

Sebastian made his way to the main saloon, delighted with his plan.

He spied Diana and their group in the far back corner.

Diana was waving her hands frantically and everyone else was calling things out.

He smirked, somewhat in disbelief he spent most of his nights on this trip playing innocent games like charades.

Diana scowled and placed her hands on her hips, seemingly frustrated. He walked over.

Spoor yelled, “Tree.”

“Yes!” Diana exclaimed.

Everyone cheered and Diana traded places with Spoor.

Devons joined her on the sofa. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to the game.

Devons studied her. Tonight, her hair was falling down her back in soft curls, and she wore the lightest-pink dress.

His eyes wandered to her throat where a jewel hung off a piece of lace. She was bewitching.

“Devons, do you have a guess?” Spoor demanded.

He pulled his gaze away from Diana’s neck. “Mermaid.”

Spoor gasped. “Are you even listening?”

Laughter escaped Diana. Sebastian looked at her and she shrugged in return.

Finally, Lady Clark declared Spoor was pretending to be a bear.

Utter ridiculousness, he thought. But right now, he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, including the Den.

His eyes drifted back to Diana. He reassured himself he was happy to have her friendship, nothing more.

Later that night, Sebastian pulled the cravat from his neck. He smiled at his latest letter.

To the Ladies of London,

We witnessed magic early this morning. It’s easy to understand how sailors throughout history have sworn they have seen mermaids.

Elegant and mischievous dolphins are likely what they saw.

These enchanting creatures rode by the ship for almost an hour jumping and flipping.

I daresay both Lady Hensley and I were speechless.

Malaga was a wonderful stop for our trip.

We learned the art of Spanish dancing, and I might be bragging, but I think I was rather decent.

The city is filled with Roman ruins that both Lady Hensley and I enjoyed.

For ladies traveling with husbands, there are plenty of clubs where a drink can be had or a game played.

While I have liked all of our ports, more and more, ocean travel has grown on me. I’ve made many friends on this adventure. Lady Hensley has taught this man that fun can be had anywhere.

Sebastian Devons