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His gaze wandered around the room, hoping to find Diana.

Eventually, their eyes met, and she beamed at him.

His stomach dipped. This woman was making him feel things he suspected would end up hurting him in the long run.

Yet he walked towards her, unable to resist. As he reached Diana, her mother intercepted.

“Diana, come. You must meet Lord Beaumont.”

Diana’s gaze darted to him, and it soothed him that he saw the same frustration in her eyes that he felt.

He sighed and wandered to a billiards room where most of the men congregated.

Monroe conversed with Haggerty in one corner, but Sebastian didn’t feel like joining them.

He leaned against a wall, grabbing a glass of wine from an attendant.

Then he pulled his pocket watch out and casually flipped it open and closed, lost in thought about Diana.

“Do you play?” a man asked.

Sebastian glanced to his side to see the man leisurely knocking balls across the billiards table. He shook his head. “I’m rot at it.”

The man laughed and grabbed his drink, walking over. “Thomas Easton.”

Sebastian shook his hand. Why did his name sound familiar?

He remembered. He was the man Messina mentioned in connection with the Calverts. A few days ago, Diana received word from the count that the Calverts weren’t in Tuscany. She’d been disappointed. Perhaps this man could help Diana meet them.

“I have heard of you from Count de Messina. He was hoping to introduce an associate of mine to the Calverts?”

He nodded. “They decided to travel to Damascus because of a new historical find. I’m headed there soon.”

“When you have a moment, I would like to introduce you to Lady Hensley. She is part of a club called the Historical Society for Female Curators. They are looking to put together some antiquities exhibits.”

The man lifted a brow. “Is this associated with the London Society of Antiquaries?”

“No. They don’t allow women.”

Easton laughed. “Still? What a bunch of old, stodgy men. Rose Calvert tried to submit a proposal for a lecture there once, but they turned her down. Something about it not being fitting for a lady to do such work.”

“I bet she was livid.”

“Furious. Lady Hensley leads this club?”

“She is part of a board consisting of five women.”

“Unfortunately, I will have to decline the introduction. I will not be attending the dinner. I stopped by to speak with someone quickly and snuck in here to grab a drink before departing, but if you send a letter to the Hotel de Trevian, I can carry it to the Calverts.”

Sebastian was disappointed he wouldn’t be able to introduce Diana but happy the club would still be able to make a connection with the Calverts. “Thank you.”

“So, are you here to enjoy a respite in Livorno?” Easton asked.

“As part of raising funds for the curator club, I agreed to join a leisure cruise to test out new ports. Both Lady Hensley and I are writing a column about it in two London newspapers.”

The man grimaced. “You’re a reporter then.”

“Hell no, but I’m a partner in the curator club. In London, I own a gentlemen’s club called the Den.”

“You are Sebastian Devons!”

Sebastian nodded, realizing he had never provided his name. Easton laughed. “You won your club’s property off, my friend, the Marquess of Merry.”

It was a small world. Sebastian chuckled. “How is Merry? I used to receive letters from him, but not anymore.”

“He’s well. Doesn’t go by his title anymore. We do business together often. He will be in Damascus with the Calverts.”

Sebastian smiled. Merry traveling to Damascus seemed so far-fetched for the young man he met long ago. He’d seemed so green when they played that card game that allowed Sebastian to take ownership of his estate. The property now housed the Den.

Sebastian never told anyone, but he had offered the estate property back to Merry.

The young lord had laughed and explained losing it was the best thing that had ever happened to him and then he’d disappeared from London.

Oddly enough, Sebastian had received letters and various gifts from Merry as if thanking him for taking the estate off his hands.

It had been many years since he received the last one.

“The owner of the Den here in Livorno,” Easton said, amused.

“Please tell Merry I said hello and I wish him well.”

“Any interest in going to Damascus?” Easton asked.

Sebastian’s eyes widened. “Are you joking?”

He smiled and shrugged. “Merry talks fondly of you. I think he would find it entertaining.”

Probably in any other situation, Sebastian would have said yes, but he wanted to spend more time with Diana. “I can’t.”

“If you change your mind, let me know.”

Sebastian nodded as Tremont entered the room from the corner of his eye. He should go find Diana now that the man wasn’t hovering around her. The pompous man and a gaggle of younger lords made their way over to the billiards table he and Easton stood by.

“Nothing is official yet, but I imagine before Christmas, we will be betrothed or wed,” Tremont told the men.

He glanced away from the group, and his eyes met Sebastian’s.

He knew without a doubt Tremont suspected something was going on between him and Diana.

Sebastian didn’t give a damn. He raised his glass to the lord, mockingly, before taking a large sip.

Tremont scowled and turned away. His heart thundered. Would he really lose Diana to this ass?

Easton chuckled quietly. “You don’t like him.”

“Long story,” Sebastian said. “Are you sure you don’t have time to meet Lady Hensley?”

Easton drained his brandy. “I wish I could but I’m leaving now. I’ve stayed too long already. Send your missive for the Calverts to my hotel. I depart for Damascus in two days if you change your mind.”