The music reacheda soaring crescendo causing Diana to wince. The Duchess of Peyton’s ball was brimming with a crush of the Who’s Who of London society. Diana shouldn’t have attended. Socializing was the furthest thing from her mind. In truth, she wanted to be anywhere else.
Arthur was not with her tonight, but Aunt Winifred and Spoor were. Since returning from their trip, her aunt had only grown closer to him. Finally, Diana spotted her aunt. She crossed the room and joined her.
Aunt Winifred smiled. “Spoor has gone to fetch me some punch.”
“You two have become quite close.”
Her aunt blushed but nodded. “There is something I wanted to tell you, and I haven’t been able to because you have been so busy with your club.”
Diana lifted a brow, curious by her serious tone.
“I was wrong to tell you to keep your heart locked up concerning Devons.”
Diana was shocked by her words. Aunt Winifred continued. “I don’t regret telling Roger I loved him. I tried to convince myself for so long that I did, but what I regret is not running off with him. Even if we had only a few years, it would have been worth it.”
Diana moved further along the wall of the ballroom, and her aunt followed. She frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
Aunt Winifred reached over and squeezed her hand. “Because when I saw you and Devons give your talk at Seely House yesterday, it became apparent how much you belong together.”
Diana shook her head. “You are wrong.”
Her aunt smiled at her in disbelief. “I don’t think so. Have you told him how you feel?”
“Of course not. He left us in Tuscany. It was evident he was moving on.”
“Tell him tonight. You will regret it if you don’t. He just arrived,” Aunt Winifred said, nodding to the entryway.
Diana followed her gaze and spotted Sebastian. He laughed at something the Duke of Peyton said before smiling warmly at the duchess. Her heart pounded wildly. “I can’t.”
Her aunt sighed. “One part of my advice remains the same. You and Devons come from vastly different backgrounds. To have a love like that, you will have to fight for it and want it desperately. If you can’t even tell him how you feel, maybe you don’t care for him as much as I thought.”
Diana, needing to confess her true feelings to someone, said, “What if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
Her aunt snorted. “Impossible and if I’m wrong, you still have Tremont. Though, if I were you, I would choose to remain alone.”
“Aunt—”
“I’m simply saying you don’t have to choose anyone. Someone like Tremont is not an asset for you. You, my dear, are the prize. Don’t let him make you think otherwise. You have nothing to gain from him, but he has everything to gain from you.”
Diana smiled. “Thank you for the bit of wisdom.”
Her aunt winked at her. “Devons is headed your way. Tell him how you feel. I’m off to hunt down Spoor. I do enjoy that man, but he moves slower than anyone I know.”
Diana shook her head and turned to find Sebastian standing in front of her. She sucked in a breath at the attractive sight he made. Memories of them flashed in her mind. He bowed. “Lady Hensley, I was hoping you would allow me to escort you to the Duke of Peyton’s gallery room. They have new artwork to view.”
She smiled but was nervous. “Yes.”
Sebastian held out his arm, and she took it. They strolled from the room, out into the foyer, and into the massive gallery. The Duke of Peyton was known for his love of art. He and the duchess often hosted artists at their townhouse. The room wasn’t as busy as the ballroom, but people still mingled about. Sebastian stopped in front of a landscape painting. Both studied it. Diana smiled. “Did you bring me here to study the art?”
“Definitely not. This landscape is dreadful, but at least we have a measure of privacy because no one wants to look at it.”
A giggle escaped her. His brow furrowed as he looked at the art, and Diana wondered what he was pondering.
“Perhaps, a peculiar question, but did you receive my missive before I left Livorno?”
She gulped, trying to push away the hurt she felt anytime she thought of his brief words. Her gaze turned back to the painting as well, not wanting him to see the pain he’d caused her. “I did receive your short letter.”
He frowned. “Short?”
