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D iana thanked Lord Belmont for the dance as he escorted her off the floor.

Lord Halethorpe’s ballroom was packed. Diana smiled and greeted several acquaintances as she made her way back to her aunt and Arthur.

She was still adjusting to all the interest from the success of her and Sebastian’s columns.

The first couple of questions on Sebastian threw her, but with each one, the pain at hearing his name became less and less.

The trip generated more interest about the Historical Society for Female Curators, as Addie suspected it would.

The plan was to have a small grand opening at Seely House when she and Sebastian did their talk.

The Le Conquet manuscript exhibit would be revealed at that time.

Diana had reached an agreement with Haggerty that they would display the manuscripts when he wasn’t studying them.

He’d been reluctant to keep them at Seely House, but Sarah and Lisbeth amazed him with their diligent care of artifacts.

The London Society of Antiquaries boldly approached Haggerty to display with them instead, and he told them he had no interest, delighting Addie.

Diana was actively lining up additional displays.

While the manuscripts were a great start, they needed one grand exhibit.

None of them had determined what that would be yet.

She reminded herself they had time. They were only having a small opening when Sebastian returned.

Earlier in the week, Diana and Addie had met with Monroe about announcing a leisure cruise for ladies.

They’d finalized their partnership with the captain for the first cruise the following year.

While Monroe may have been initially skeptical of Addie’s idea, he was now all in.

A smile formed on Diana’s face at the thought of Monroe taking so many ladies on a cruise.

When she reached her Aunt Winifred and Arthur, Diana almost laughed out loud at the relief she saw on both their faces.

Since the journey back to London, Arthur had started to suspect Aunt Winifred wasn’t a fan of his and was doing everything in his power to convince her she should be.

Diana more than once wanted to tell him not to try so hard but didn’t want to offend him.

She smiled at them. Tonight, Diana felt optimistic, and for the first time since returning to London, the ache clinging to her wasn’t as pronounced.

Even if she wanted to make more of Sebastian’s short note, his lack of any correspondence since then was sufficient evidence he’d simply been caught up in the moment in Livorno when he asked to court her.

While she hated her mother’s explanation, she’d been right. Diana hadn’t held Sebastian’s interest.

“Diana, I was telling your aunt that at some point we will have to figure out how to get your mother back out in society.”

Her mother’s return had stirred up gossip in London but there seemed to be no indications she would be welcomed back among the ton .

While she didn’t care about her mother’s social status, she did worry about the effect all the gossip about her mother was having on Clara and Henry.

Both her siblings were reluctant to be around her. Diana didn’t blame them.

Her mother had been staying with her and wasn’t the easiest person to deal with.

She hoped her house would be ready soon, but Diana suspected she was intentionally dragging her feet.

Clara was livid she was still at Diana’s townhouse and worried their mother planned not to leave.

Diana reassured her more than once that wouldn’t happen.

She still carried the scars on her back from her mother’s discipline.

Her aunt snorted. “She is blacklisted. That won’t change.”

“A good amount of time has passed, and we can’t blame her for what were ultimately your father’s decisions.”

“Why would you think that?” Diana asked.

Arthur frowned. “Because the man is the final decision maker in a marriage.”

Diana’s mouth dropped open. Arthur flushed. “Of course, it would be with a great deal of input from his wife.”

Aunt Winifred sighed. “I think I will fetch some punch.”

“I will retrieve it for you,” Arthur volunteered.

Her aunt smiled sweetly, and he was off. She fanned herself. “How do you tolerate him?”

“We can’t blame him for believing Mother needs another chance. He barely knows her.”

Aunt Winifred gave her a pointed look, but before Diana could respond, Addie appeared in front of them. “You will never guess the news I have. Devons is back in London”

Shock pinged through Diana. How could one’s stomach flutter and drop at the same time? Arthur returned, handing Aunt Winifred her punch.

“He has been back for two days, and that annoying man hasn’t called on us at Seely House.”

“He is probably resting from his return trip. I’m sure he will make an appearance when he’s ready,” Diana said, ignoring the pounding of her heart.

Addie beamed at him. “No, he—”

She was interrupted when the butler announced, “Mr. Sebastian Devons.”

The room went quiet, and everyone turned to the entryway of the ballroom.

He took her breath away. His dark-black hair and dark eyes perused the room, and she insanely wondered if he was looking for her.

Stop it, she told herself. It had been nothing more than a tryst. Still, if it was something so blasé, they could be friends, couldn’t they?

Arthur moved next to her, placing her hand on his arm.

She saw Sebastian focus on something, and Diana looked to see what it was.

Shock rippled through her as she realized it was Lady Wesley.

A flirtatious smile flitted across his face as he approached her.

Diana tore her gaze away before he reached the lady, not wanting to watch anymore.

She was so angry. Angry, not because he was flirting, but because Lady Wesley didn’t deserve any of his attention. Why would he go to her?

“Travel seems to agree with him. Should we go say hello?” Addie asked.

The thought horrified Diana. Arthur stepped in and unknowingly saved her. “Lady Hensley has promised me this waltz.”

She smiled. Addie nodded. “He will probably be engaged with all his adoring admirers tonight anyway.”

Diana forced herself to keep smiling and allowed Arthur to guide her onto the dance floor.

She would not look back to where Sebastian was standing.

The waltz began, and she kept her attention on Arthur and the dance.

As they moved across the dance floor with the other dancers, she kept her expression blank, but her mind was rampant with thoughts of Sebastian.

He had his own life to live, and if that included Lady Wesley, it was none of her business.

Still, annoyance sizzled in her that he would allow himself to be used by her.

Arthur escorted Diana off the dance floor, her eyes met Sebastian’s.

She forced herself to smile. His eyes raked over her, and without a smile, he nodded at her before turning back to Lady Wesley.

Yes, waiting to decide on a courtship had been the best choice.

*

Sebastian waited in the drawing room of Diana’s townhouse while the butler went to determine if she was available.

He’d regretted not speaking with her last night.

She’d openly acknowledged him, and all he’d given her was a curt nod.

He hadn’t been prepared to see her with Tremont or how familiar the lord had become with her. Still, Sebastian’s actions were rude.

“Sebastian!” Young Robert exclaimed before shutting the door, seemingly hiding from someone.

He suspected it was a nanny. “Good day, Robert.”

“I heard your voice.”

A smile formed on his face. “We have only met twice, and you remember me?”

“I like you,” he said, beaming before peeking out the door.

“Are you not supposed to be in here?”

The young boy wrinkled his nose. “My grandmother and my governess are looking for me.”

He still couldn’t believe the duchess convinced Diana she needed to return to England. The woman was awful for what she had done to Diana and her sister. Heels clicked on the foyer floor, and Robert’s eyes widened. Sebastian raised his fingers to his mouth, shushing him. “Hide behind the curtains.”

Seconds later, the door was thrown open, and the Duchess of Claremore stood before him looking as elegant and perfect as ever. He bowed, and her eyes narrowed as she nodded back at him.

“Can I help you with something, Mr. Devons?”

“I was hoping to meet with your daughter.”

The woman entered the room, looking around. He asked, “Is there something you are searching for?”

Her lips pressed together in annoyance before she said, “My grandson is not behaving. He is hiding. Did he enter this room?”

Sebastian shook his head, “Not since I have been here.”

She walked around the room. Anger emanated from her. Why did she care so much about her grandson’s behavior? She’d only just met him. Sebastian suspected she was a woman who liked to break spirits. He hoped she wasn’t staying with Diana long.

Finally, she turned back to him. “She is likely with her betrothed.”

The words shocked Sebastian. He blinked rapidly, digesting her statement. Slowly, he said, “Betrothed?”

She looked at him with disdain. “Yes, Lord Tremont. They are keeping it quiet for now.”

Diana had made her choice. It wasn’t gossip but fact. He knew he shouldn’t be angry, but he was furious. He took a deep breath. “Can you please let Lady Hensley know I called on her?”

Her eyes raked over him, her mouth twisting in distaste. Sebastian stared back at her, unflinching. Finally, she looked away. “I will let her know.”

Later in the evening, Sebastian sat in the main hall of the Den. He was drunk but happy. He didn’t need anyone. Just this club. He’d killed himself making this the most prestigious gentlemen’s club in all of London. Fuck love! He took another sip of his brandy when Celeste appeared before him.

“We have a meeting, Devons. Can you please follow me?”

He took another sip of his brandy. “I don’t remember a meeting. Change it to tomorrow.”

She fixed him with a glare. “Now, Devons.”

“Oh…you have done it now,” a lord said.

While he had been away Celeste had done well as the host of the Den.

The men who frequented the establishment regarded her with a mixture of fear, awe, and adoration.

Sebastian shouldn’t be surprised by her success.

She’d excelled at managing the tables. He didn’t want anyone to think he didn’t respect her or her position, so he followed her without another word, causing more laughter.

They made their way up the stairs to the office spaces, passing hers and entering his. He stepped in behind her, running his fingers through his hair. She pointed to his seat at his desk, motioning for him to sit.

Sighing, he plopped into his chair, suspecting he was going to get a lecture. She was quiet for a moment but eventually said, “You told me when I started here we were not to be drunk around the guests. Drinking was fine as long as we could do it without becoming slushy.”

“Your point?”

“You’re drunk.”

She wasn’t wrong. He’d been drunk since this afternoon. He could lie, but he didn’t. “You are correct. I won’t go back downstairs.”

She nodded. “I think that would be best.”

“You have done an excellent job here, Celeste. I’m proud of you.”

Her cheeks turned a rosy color at the compliment. He chuckled. “Say thank you.”

She sighed. “Thank you.”

Celeste had done so well that Sebastian decided he wanted her to take on a permanent role as host. “I know you think I’m in my cups, but I would like to speak with you about making your role as host more permanent. Not every night but a few nights a week.”

She stared at him in shock but then frowned, shaking her head. “We will talk tomorrow.”

He laughed, knowing she wanted him to remember what he was talking about. “As long as you say yes, tomorrow is fine.”

She smiled and walked to the door but turned back, frowning. “Are you all right?”

He sighed. “Of course.”

She studied him. “I have never seen you get so drunk with our guests.”

“It won’t happen again.”

“But—”

“Good night, Celeste.”

She sighed. “Good night, Devons.”