D iana sat with her father-in-law in the sitting area of her townhouse.

They both smiled as Robert raced from the room in search of some havoc to create.

She and her son were once again settled in London.

Diana had expected tears of joy when she returned from her adventure, but he’d acted as if she’d just left.

Diana supposed that was the best way. He did adore her tales of all the ports.

This was the first time she’d been able to meet Wescott since her return, as he’d been away at his country estate.

He’d only arrived in London a few days ago.

The actual season had not started yet, but society was slowly returning to the city.

Balls were beginning, and the government work was in full swing.

Diana had been overwhelmed with invites to various events since her return.

Everyone wanted to hear about her and Sebastian’s adventures.

For the most part, she didn’t mind all the questions except for one.

When would Sebastian Devons return? Addie asked almost every time she saw her.

She couldn’t explain they’d fought, and he’d left the next day, only providing an impersonal goodbye missive.

Instead, she’d guessed and told all who asked that he would return sometime in the fall.

“You have been spending significant time with Tremont.”

She had. Arthur had been considerate and always willing to escort her anywhere she liked.

“He seems to have a great deal of respect for you,” Westcott added.

Diana shook her distracting thoughts away and smiled. “He is kind.”

“If I were into making wagers, I would bet at some point he will propose.”

Westcott studied her intently. Diana wondered what he was looking for. She squirmed under his gaze. “He has hinted at the possibility.”

“Will he make you happy?”

That was a good question, Diana thought.

Sebastian flashed in her mind. He was always in her thoughts, both while she was awake and sleeping.

The man had left and not sent a single missive since.

He should not be the one she was thinking about, especially since Tremont was doing everything one expected when being courted.

“Perhaps,” she said.

Her father-in-law frowned. “Don’t feel forced into marrying him.”

She shrugged. “He does not lack anything I should want.”

“You don’t laugh or smile much with him. While society may say you must marry, I can assure you do not have to.”

She smiled at Westcott, grateful to have such a wonderful father-in-law. “Robert and I are so lucky to have you in our lives.”

“I made a promise to my son to make sure you are happy. I will do everything in my power to see that you are.”

Diana had been thinking about Stuart a great deal.

She always missed him, but in some moments the feeling would hit her and take her breath away.

That had been happening often lately. In some absurd way, losing Sebastian also amplified the loss of Stuart.

She sighed and Wescott’s brows drew together in concern.

“I’m happy,” she insisted, realizing she was causing him worry.

He seemed skeptical. “Only marry if you think it will bring you great joy. A lifetime is a long time to be unhappy. The older I get, the more I realize being miserable is rot.”

Diana giggled. When she first met Westcott, she’d been terrified of the man. Not only was he a duke, but his bearing was formidable and of someone who shouldn’t be messed with. Now, they were sitting here talking about happiness.

He tilted his head and smiled. “Now you seem happy.”

She grinned back. “I was just thinking I’m most grateful that loving Stuart brought such a great father figure into my life.”

The normally unaffectionate duke leaned over and squeezed her hand. “I’m grateful as well.”

*

Sebastian listened to his brother’s butler announce him to those in the breakfast room. He heard Sophia gasp. He smiled as he stepped into the room. Malcolm rose and wrapped him in a tight hug. He’d decided to come straight to his brother’s townhouse from the ship, needing a familiar face.

Sebastian laughed. “Brother, be careful. People might start to think you have a heart under your stuffy exterior.”

“He has the biggest heart hidden behind all his arrogance,” his wife said impishly.

Malcolm glowered at her, and she giggled loudly. Sebastian kissed her cheek and looked around. “Where are Penelope and the twins?”

“They are with their governess, being horribly punished,” his brother said ruthlessly.

Sebastian’s brows shot up in disbelief. “Truly?”

Sophia rolled her eyes. “If exploring the gardens with a basket of treats is a horrible punishment. That was your brother’s idea of making sure they were disciplined for putting a hole in the wall at the foot of the stairs.”

Some things didn’t change. “Do I want the details?”

“Penelope taught them how to slide down the stairs on a pillow,” Sophia said, unperturbed.

Chuckles erupted from Sebastian. “Pen might be my favorite of your children.”

Malcolm rolled his eyes. “Sit. Join us. You and Lady Hensley are the talk of the town. You are supposed to host a lecture upon your return for the Historical Society for Female Curators.”

Sebastian took a seat across from Sophia. “Am I?”

His brother and sister-in-law laughed at his question.

He needed to visit Seely House and speak with Addie and the other board members.

Perhaps, he would do that tomorrow. After breakfast, he planned to head to his townhouse and bathe, then call on Diana.

He didn’t want to wait any longer to understand where they stood.

“Even the paper today is talking about you and Lady Hensley.”

“What are they saying?” he asked, sure it was some ridiculous drivel.

“All the papers are suggesting the same thing: send a rogue and the most proper lady in all of London abroad, and they will create the best grand tour of the decade.”

Sebastian smiled, surprised it wasn’t more salacious. “For once, the gossip sheets don’t have something shocking to say.”

His sister-in-law frowned. “What would they say? Lady Hensley’s proper reputation could never be tarnished.

She is almost a symbol to London society regarding how a lady should act.

Also, everyone is all a titter because Lord Tremont followed her there.

They keep saying a betrothal is imminent.

Was his arrival as romantic as speculated? ”

Sebastian felt as if the air had been knocked out of him. That couldn’t be. Had his letter to her meant nothing? The crushing weight on his heart nearly undid him. He forced himself to smile. “Is he courting her?”

“Yes, they have been inseparable at the few balls and events that have been hosted since her return.”

Sebastian couldn’t believe it. He’d lost her to a man she held no desire for. Diana chose Tremont because he was a lord. He rose, his chair loudly sliding across the floor.

“I need to go the Den.”

“The club can wait,” Malcolm said, looking at him with concern.

Sebastian shook his head. “I only planned on stopping by briefly.”

Sophia frowned. “Is something wrong?”

He needed to calm down. He forced another smile, hoping to ease their worry. “I’m fine. Merely anxious to resume life as it was.”

Sebastian stumbled out of his brother’s home.

He had his answer about Diana. He would not dwell on it, he told himself.

She made her choice, and he would go back to his life.

A life enjoyed immensely before his entanglement with the most proper lady in London.

He scoffed. A lady who was so much more complicated than what people saw.

He’d once loved that about her, but right now, he wished she was not nearly as interesting.

Later in the evening, Sebastian sat in his office at the Den, drunk.

He flipped his pocket watch open and closed.

He’d put on a good show at the club tonight, laughing, joking, and entertaining all the lords with his stories about his and Diana’s adventures.

Diana’s reputation was so pristine that no one had considered anything occurred between them.

Tossing the watch on his desk, he grabbed his brandy and took a large drink, savoring how it burned going down his throat.

They’d all laughed about Tremont, an unadventurous sort, venturing so far away to see the woman he wanted to marry.

Sebastian grinned through it all and even joked about Tremont being out of place in Livorno.

In truth, that wasn’t the case. He fit in fine with the rest of the lords and ladies touring the area.

A knock on the door interrupted his brooding thoughts. His butler Donahue entered. “Mr. Devons, there is a lady here who wants to speak with you.”

Sebastian slammed his drink on the table and staggered to his feet. Diana had heard he was here. She’d come. “Let her in.”

Donahue stepped aside, and the joy immediately burst. Before him stood Lilah, dressed in a provocative red gown.

She smiled at him, her plump lips colored a vivid red to match her attire.

He thought he loved this woman once and he felt nothing now.

She walked to him, her hips swaying provocatively. “I’ve missed you, Devons.”

He plopped back down in his chair, taking another large gulp of the brandy. “Have you?”

She pouted, leaning over his desk, making sure he had a clear view of her ample assets. “Don’t be cross with me. I had to marry Lord Wesley. You know it is only you who I enjoy spending time with.”

Fuck. How had Sebastian moped over this woman for so long? Her coquettish ways now annoyed him, yet at least she was here. That is more than he could say for the actual woman tormenting his thoughts.

She moved around the desk, trying to nudge her way between his legs. He stopped her with his hand. “Not now.”

Annoyance flashed in her eyes. “Do you want me to beg?”

He didn’t care what she thought, so he said nothing. She ran a hand up his thigh. “Lord Wesley has gone abroad indefinitely. Perhaps if not tonight, I could join you for the opera and we could become reacquainted. It would be like old times.”

He wanted to laugh out loud hysterically.

Emptiness filled him at the thought of doing anything with this woman.

He nodded. She placed a lingering kiss on his cheek and sashayed out of his office.

Sebastian took another sip of his drink.

Maybe nothing was acceptable. It was fucking better than the pain that wouldn’t ease in his heart.