Stuart was a short, larger man who, in all honesty, had won her heart over time. Theirs had not been a love match at first, but his gentleness, kindness, and interest in her thoughts made her fall for him. Diana was doubtful she would ever feel such devotion again. Still, shouldn’t she feel something for Arthur? Atleast desire? Perhaps she was incapable of feeling such passion for another.
Liar. Liar. An infuriating man and his words flashed in her mind.Is this what you want, my lady? A tryst in a darkened corner.
She flushed, horrified she had a respectable man on the verge of proposing, and her mind was fixated on a rogue who operated a scandalous club. What was she doing?
Arthur took her hand. “Just know when you are ready, I’m here.”
“You have my word. You are the first person I would consider,” Diana lied.
Later that evening, Diana sat in her drawing room, turning the message over in her hand. Yes, if she weren’t intrigued before, which she was, Diana was now. The missive requested that Diana meet with Lady Hawley at Seely House in three days to learn about an exciting new venture. Seely House was in the northwest area of Mayfair near Diana’s home. The peculiar part was the building had been empty for years.
She should send a response stating she couldn’t attend. Diana should be content with her life and accept Arthur’s proposal, but part of her vehemently refused the idea. She wanted to be more than the traits the awful article listed. Was it ludicrous that she hoped whatever Lady Hawley was proposing would help her prove she was more than the caricature?
She reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out her copy of the annoying article. She unfolded it and frowned at the caricature. Arthur suggested it was her to perfection, but she disagreed. Diana balled the paper up in her hand. No longer would she allow herself to be so easily defined. She tossed it into the fire. It was time to try new things, starting with exploring Lady Hawley’s venture.
*
“Have you lostyour mind, Addie?” Devons asked his dear friend as he sat in her drawing room.
The voluptuous beauty rolled her eyes. “I’m serious.”
“What do you know about artifacts or ancient texts?”
She rose from her chair and grabbed the brandy decanter, pouring him more before she added some to her glass. “I know enough, and what I don’t know, I plan to have the best minds in England help me.”
He raised a skeptical brow at her as she sat back down. She ignored it and continued, “Did you know the Duchess of Lusby, prior to her wedding, spent four years working at ancient sites cataloging artifacts.”
“She’s been married for at least a decade,” he reminded her.
“Or that Sarah Martin, the daughter of the President of the London Society of Antiquaries, applied five times to be admitted to her father’s club and was turned down each time. Her father is the president!”
“It’s a men’s-only club. I have no problem with that. I, too, own a men’s only establishment.”
She frowned at him disapprovingly. “Yes, but you employ women and hold events that ladies can attend.”
“If you are asking if I’m some type of secret advocate of women’s rights, I will be quite frank, it isn’t something I spend much time thinking about.”
“You are more of a supporter than you realize. I wouldn’t be meeting with you if I thought otherwise. I need your help and involvement.”
His eyes narrowed. Addie was a shrewd lady, and Sebastian didn’t doubt there was a reason she wanted his participation. “What part am I to play in this escapade?”
She took a sip of her drink. “You are right to suspect I have hidden motives.”
Sebastian snorted. Addie always had an agenda. She appeared carefree to all of London, but he’d known her way too long to believe the facade she presented to society. He’d seen the scandal sheets. He knew she was hurting because of what happened between Eleanor and Lord Hawley.
“Pretty brazen of you to take on his club.”
Sebastian thought she would feign ignorance. She twirled her brandy glass silently but finally looked up. “He took Eleanor away from me. My dearest friend.”
He pressed his lips together, knowing he couldn’t do anything to prevent his friend’s pain. Still, this was a complex venture and would require a great deal of work. He needed to know more.
“What is my part?”
She took a deep breath. “My goal is to have the entire club managed by a board of women. The problem with such an initiative is anything we own is the property of our spouses or guardians. I want to make sure they do not have the ability to gain control over what we build. I need you to be the sole owner and then we will draft up a trust, giving overall management to the board.”
He was shocked. Sebastian and Addie were close friends, but he didn’t realize she trusted him that much. He was honored, to be honest. A frown marred his face. “Do you suspect your husband would take this venture from you?”
She smiled sadly, and Sebastian had the urge to pummel Lord Hawley. “I don’t, but I also never believed he would involve himself with someone so close to me. It is merely a precaution to protect not only me but the other ladies as well. Would you like to know what you will gain from this?”
