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D iana sat in the carriage with Addie, Lisbeth, and of all people, her Aunt Winifred. Diana had confided in her aunt what she was doing, and she’d insisted she attend.

“You are going to take his breath away,” Addie said dreamily.

Lisbeth snorted. “I’m still amazed our club is filled with so many romantics.”

Addie rolled her eyes at her. “I like love. Stop judging me.”

A laugh escaped Diana. She felt free. She was going to tell Sebastian she loved him in front of all of London tonight.

It was important to Diana that he understood she wanted him, as is.

She ran her hands down the dark-blue ballgown that glittered with crystals.

Clara had helped her find a modiste who could quickly provide her with a decadent gown for the Ball of Sin.

She had been equally shocked and delighted that Diana was marrying Sebastian.

Diana patted at the lace cap, holding back a portion of the curls on her head.

She’d decided to wear one tonight as a reminder that even with her little cap, she was so much more complex than the caricature that she’d once worried about.

It was her way of privately thumbing her nose at society.

Amused, she wondered if Sebastian had been right when he called her a rabble-rouser.

“You look stunning. Are you sure you want Devons? You could have your pick of anyone at the ball,” Addie said with a wink.

“This will be the talk of the season,” Aunt Winifred added giddily.

It would be, and she wanted it that way.

She’d apologized to the board members in advance for any problems it caused with their club, but none seemed to be worried.

The board had decided the choices they made for the Historical Society for Female Curators wouldn’t be dictated by gossip. The carriage came to a halt.

“Everyone put on your masks. It’s part of the rules,” Addie explained.

They donned their coverings, just as the carriage door opened. Diana stepped out, looking around at the crush of people entering the foyer. The butler, whom Diana had met on the previous visit, made his way to her and her group.

He bowed. “Come this way, my lady.”

Instead of going through the front door, Donahue navigated them to a hidden entrance, leading to the study. Sophia and Malcolm greeted them as they entered. Sophia beamed at her. “Are you ready for this?”

Diana nodded. The marquess smiled. “He may be cross.”

She tilted her chin up, determined. “I don’t care. This idea that my love is conditional ends tonight. I love him and I want all of London to know.”

Her aunt sighed happily, while Addie giggled, and Lisbeth rolled her eyes.

“Good.” Derry turned to Donahue. “Tonight, we will announce Lady Hensley’s arrival in the great hall.”

The composed butler gasped. “My lord, there are no names at the Ball of Sin.”

“Tonight, there is.”

The butler looked at her and an impressed smile appeared on his face. “As you wish.”

They followed the butler to the grand hall’s entrance. Diana removed her mask and handed it to Aunt Winifred. Addie asked, “Are you ready?”

Diana beamed. “More than ready.”

Donahue loudly announced, “The Marchioness of Hensley.”

The room went deafeningly quiet.

*

Sebastian’s heart slammed against his ribcage.

What did Donahue say? Did he announce Diana in the middle of the Ball of Sin?

The hall was completely silent, even the music stopped.

Lords and ladies turned towards the entryway.

No, it couldn’t be Diana they were looking at.

The crowd separated as he walked to the front.

Sebastian wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight. Celeste had requested his presence at the last minute. The realization that Celeste, of all people, never needed his help washed over him. Something was happening he wasn’t in the know of. What was going on?

Those around him whispered Diana’s name.

No one was ever announced during the Ball of Sin.

Names were kept secret and masks were left on.

Diana had revealed herself. As the last bit of the crush of people parted, he gasped.

She took his breath away and it wasn’t the delectable dark-blue dress she wore but the look of love she directed at him.

Sebastian went to her. There was no other option but to do so. Now and forever.

The whispers grew louder. He bowed before her. “Lady Hensley.”

Diana smirked at him. “Mr. Devons.”

“You look lovely, but you’ve broken the main rule of the night. You should be wearing a mask.”

“The King of the Den needs no mask so neither does the queen.”

It was true. He wore no mask and never did. It was his ball after all. His lips twitched at her confidence. He liked Diana like this. He arched a brow at her. Her tempting lips, painted red, smirked at him. “Am I not to be your queen?”

“You are the only woman who will ever be.”

A lady somewhere sighed, and Sebastian knew this night would be talked about for years. The night the most proper lady in all of London chose the King of the Den. He reached for her, pulling her to him. He leaned close to her ear. “What are you doing?”

She whispered back. “Malcolm said you were going to give this up for me. I wanted you to know that I choose you. All of you. Don’t sell this for me. Don’t be someone else.”

Sebastian’s eyes flicked to his brother who smirked back at him and shrugged. He turned back to her. “I wanted to limit the gossip I brought upon you.”

Diana shook her head. “Let them gossip.”

He laughed and someone in the crowd hollered, “What are they talking about?”

“No one can hear.”

Diana grinned up at him. “But if we are going to create a scandal, it should be a worthwhile one. Don’t you agree?”

He smiled wickedly at her, eliciting more sighs from the crowd. “What do you have in mind, Lady Hensley?”

She winked at him. “Well, you must kiss me like a man madly in love.”

Sebastian pulled her flush. “There is nothing I would like more.”

Their lips smashed together. He cupped the back of her head, kissing her as if only her mouth could sate his desires.

And it was the truth, she was the only woman for him.

He and all he had was hers. Applause thundered around them.

Malcolm whistled loudly and yelled, “Ladies and gentlemen, in celebration of the King and Queen of the Den’s love, enjoy a free glass of champagne. ”

They pulled apart, looking at each other, laughing. Sebastian shook his head. “You are insane.”

She frowned at him. “You are. How dare you think I would ever want you to change.”

Sebastian was a fool. He saw that now. “I apologize.”

Even though Sebastian had always taken the words in his pocket watch to heart, in this moment, he felt his father’s sage wisdom deep within his soul. Bloodlines, titles, and how one acquired wealth didn’t matter. What was important was how a man lived, how he loved, and how he treated others.

“I love you, Diana.”