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D iana glanced around the grand foyer of the Seely House in open-mouthed amazement.

She hadn’t expected the club to accomplish so much while she was gone, but to her surprise, the building appeared to be almost ready to start showing exhibits.

Addie, along with the rest of the board members, leaned over the railing of the mezzanine landing, watching her.

“What do you think?” Addie asked.

She smiled. “I think it is remarkable what you have accomplished.”

Addie left everyone upstairs and met her on the first floor. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the income we generated from the columns.”

“It made that much money?”

“A wild amount,” Sarah Martin yelled from the second floor, grinning.

Addie tucked her arm in Diana’s and escorted her up the stairs. “We have so much to show you, but first, we need to discuss the future of the club.”

“Where are we going?”

Their fearless leader winked. “Our office.”

A laugh escaped Diana at the absurdity of what Addie said. They had an office. Once on the mezzanine level, Addie moved to the right but didn’t enter the door where the rest of the women were. Instead, she turned so they were looking over the ornate railing, surveying the first floor.

“But first, let’s envision what the board is thinking so far.

In the entrance area below, we will have some type of grand statue.

There is also room to have a few small displays for visitors to view as they move farther into the building.

The two rooms on the left and the right will house our most exciting exhibits. ”

This was really happening. They would be an actual club.

During the entire time Diana was gone, she’d known what she was working towards, but to hear and see all of this was incredibly empowering.

Addie pointed to rooms opposite to where they stood.

“On the mezzanine level, there will be a room for women to do research. Sarah Martin will head that up.”

Addie pulled Diana into the office. Located in the room were six ornate desks and a sitting area. Diana brought her to one in the center of the room.

“This is yours.”

Diana ran her finger along it and smiled. Somewhat in disbelief, she was part of this. She looked up and saw all the other board members in the sitting area, waiting for her. She blushed, embarrassed to be caught being so excited about something as simple as a desk.

She made her way over to where they sat and took a seat in a wingback chair. Sarah beamed at her. “It’s rather exciting, isn’t it?”

Diana laughed. “Yes. I don’t think I realized how much so until I saw my desk.”

“We all felt the same way,” Addie said.

“How was your trip?” Esme asked as she sat.

Diana didn’t know where to start. Instead, she simply said, “It was amazing.”

“Your letters were all the rage here. Now, every lady wants to go on a leisure cruise, which is what we all hoped for,” Addie said, beaming.

“Most would like Sebastian Devons to be on their trip,” Sarah Martin said with a wink.

His name caused flutters in her stomach.

She would have to get used to hearing it.

He was part of their club, and she would be in his presence again.

Diana would never say anything bad about him.

He was a decent man. Leaving Tuscany because his feelings were much more superficial than hers didn’t change that. A simple affair is what they agreed to.

“He was a true asset on the journey. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the ports.”

“Why didn’t he return with you?” Addie asked.

She did blush then and didn’t doubt it was a deep red. Everyone stared at her waiting for her to respond. Finally, she said. “I think travel agrees with Devons. He was likely hungry for more adventure.”

All the ladies nodded as if it made perfect sense. Thank goodness.

“I believe he went to Damascus,” she added.

Esme gasped. “Truly?”

Diana smiled. “Yes.”

The young woman looked positively jealous. She muttered something about him being lucky.

“I loved your stop in Le Conquet. I’m so excited we will get to display some of the medieval manuscripts from the region,” Lisbeth said.

The duchess was a known collector of many types of historical artifacts. Diana was thrilled that she was as excited. “We owe Mr. Haggerty a great deal of gratitude for allowing us to display the works. It is through his partnership with the church in Le Conquet that they will be our first exhibit.”

“He doesn’t work with the London Society of Antiquaries?” Sarah asked.

Diana smirked. “I think he was happy we were not part of them.”

They all laughed.

Addie said, “One point for the Historical Society for Female Curators.”

Laughter erupted again. Finally, when Addie stopped, she said, “While you were gone, we tried to plan out what roles we would all perform as board members.”

Diana bit her lip, wondering what role she would fill. Was she to be their paragon of properness? Hadn’t Addie reached out to her for just that reason? Still, she didn’t need a desk for that. Diana nodded, hoping her role would be more.

Addie continued, “Sarah will lead up the research department. She will identify ladies who want to work with us on historical studies.”

Diana smiled at Sarah. “That makes perfect sense to me.”

“Lady Esme will be in charge of exhibit designs, and the duchess will manage the finances for the club.”

Disappointment filled Diana. If she helped with anything, she thought it would be their finances. Diana was good with numbers.

Addie pointed to herself. “My role will be the president, and I will also drum up customers for our exhibits. You will be the vice president and will do outreach to those in the field, convincing them to allow us to display their artifacts and antiquities.”

Vice president? Diana hadn’t expected such a position. “Why would you pick me ?”

“While away, you identified two potential options for exhibits. It suits you.”

Did it? She almost denied it but stopped herself. She had done that. Addie frowned at her. “Of course, if you don’t think you can fill the position, we can think of something else.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s perfect.”

Addie beamed at her. “We all thought so, too.”

Everyone nodded. Sarah added, “The duchess and I may also have a list of potential scholars and antiquarians to contact.”

Diana was ecstatic about her role. Addie pulled out a notebook and placed it on the table in the middle of the sitting area.

“A few more things before we wrap up for the day. Both newspapers would like you and Devons to host a talk on your trip. We will have to wait until he returns but I don’t think that shall be a problem.

We can have it in one of the large empty exhibit rooms downstairs. ”

“Of course,” Diana said.

She ignored the twisting of her stomach. It did no good to dwell on how it may be when she and Sebastian were together again. Instead, she would focus on her new, exciting role. Yes, Sebastian was never far from her thoughts, but Diana needed to move on.

*

Latakia—End of August 1850

“You are sure you don’t want to continue on with us?” Rose asked.

Sebastian liked her. She would be an oddity in London, but in this city, where a mixture of old and new abounded, Rose fit in perfectly. “No. It is time to return home. I have a business to run that I have been away from for far too long.”

“Clubs are needed here as well,” Keaton said.

“But they aren’t my club.”

Keaton laughed. “You truly do miss London. I can’t imagine ever returning.”

“I’m with you, Keaton,” Easton said and then added, when Calvert looked like he was about to say something, “And no, I’m not avoiding anyone.”

Sebastian wondered if that were true. He’d enjoyed his time with Easton, but the man was a legend in London. Something had to keep him from visiting, and with his personality, Sebastian doubted it was his adoring admirers.

“Thank you for connecting us with the club and also delivering my letter to the duchess,” Calvert said.

Rose glared at him. “What are you up to?”

Her father frowned at her. “You don’t have to know everything I do.”

Sebastian chuckled. “I’m glad you are interested in forming some type of partnership. I will make sure your letter is delivered to the duchess.”

Sebastian suspected Rose would be furious when she figured out what her father was up to. It had to do with sending ancient tablets she was keen on translating to London. Her father was determined to get her a season.

Easton stood. “I’ll walk you to the carriage.”

Sebastian said a final goodbye and walked with him to the line of carriages. As they approached, he said, “Thank you for letting me join you.”

Easton laughed. “You seemed insistent that you wanted to be on any ship but the one you were supposed to be on. Will you see her when you return?”

He could feign confusion, but Easton wasn’t a fool. “It’s up to her.”

“If she doesn’t reciprocate your affection, move on. There is plenty of enjoyment to be had without the tender emotion wreaking havoc on your life,” Easton advised before smacking him on the back. “Good luck, Devons.”

“Thank you,” he said.

Sebastian climbed into the carriage and leaned his head against the back of the seat, closing his eyes, both terrified and anxious to know where he and Diana stood.

He’d completely fallen for her but would not live a life in the shadows with her and continue their affair, especially if she were determined to marry a lord such as Tremont.

The carriage came to a halt, and he stepped out.

The SS Stanton would be his ride home to England.

At least for this trip, he wouldn’t share a cabin with anyone.

The ship captain said they should expect to be back in England within twelve days.

He took a deep breath. No matter what waited for him, it was time to go home.