“What if, for two months, I’m not the uneventful lady?”
Clara leaned forward and grabbed her hands. “I say it’s your choice, but no matter what, you must understand that no woman is as one-dimensional as the writer made society ladies to be.”
Diana squeezed her hands. “Thank you for being the best sister.”
Clara grinned and hopped up. “Now we need something stronger to drink to celebrate this adventure you are going on.”
As her sister poured their drinks, she shook her head. “I can’t believe Devons is going on the same trip with you. I bet you will be fast friends.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Diana said, not believing her own words.
*
Sebastian took adeep breath as he stood outside of the Seely House. He still couldn’t believe he was going on a two-month leisure cruise with Lady Hensley. Even more shocking, she hadn’t sent word that she was backing out. The woman irked him. He sighed and lifted his hand to knock, but before he could, it was thrown open. Addie’s butler stared at him in surprise. “Sorry, Mr. Devons. I didn’t realize you were waiting.”
Sebastian smiled at the man. “I only just arrived. Why does Lady Hawley keep dragging you out here? I imagine you have other duties.”
The man who normally didn’t reveal any hint of emotion, smirked slightly. “You are quite correct, but the lady of the house is a most decent employer, so I will do as she asks.”
Sebastian laughed and slapped him on the back. “You are a good man.”
Addie stepped out of a room, frowning. “Are you complaining, Harrison?”
The man sighed. “Of course not, my lady. What would I have to complain about?”
She smiled, amused. Sebastian suspected that her butler was not at all afraid to be sarcastic with her. Addie turned to him, beaming. She looked lovely in a crimson gown that highlighted both her curves and black hair. “You are late, sir.”
“You know I do have a business I must make plans for so I can participate in your mad scheme.”
“Oh, admit it, you want to be part of my fun,” she said, flouncing back into the room she came out of, knowing he would follow.
She continued to a table where glasses sat with brandy and poured them each a drink. She smiled at him. “Thank you again for still agreeing to go.”
“You tricked me.”
Addie handed him the drink and shook her head. “I planned to go. You should have seen my husband. I have never witnessed him in such a state.”
Devons still couldn’t believe he cared. They had been separated for years. Changing the subject, he winked at her. “We would have had fun on a trip together.”
“Not as much as London would have speculated.” Her eyes roamed over him, and she sighed. “A spark of something between us is missing, or we would have taken each other to bed long ago.”
“I’m willing to try.”
Laughter erupted from both of them. She reached over and squeezed his hand. “I mean it, thank you. No one else would have signed on for this.
Sebastian squeezed her hand back just as Harrison declared, “Lady Hensley.”
They both turned and the lady was looking at them as if she had just caught them tupping. Her face was the shade of a strawberry. Addie walked towards her. “Diana, please come in. I’m thrilled that you and Devons are going on this adventure.”
For a moment, Sebastian thought she might make up an excuse that she had to leave, but then she took a deep breath and smiled. “I’m excited.”
“Would you like something to drink? Perhaps tea or Devons and I are having a brandy.”
She bit her lip, and Sebastian’s eyes jerked to her mouth. “I will have a brandy as well.”
Addie’s eyes widened. “That’s the spirit! You and Devons sit. I will join you momentarily.”
Sebastian motioned for her to lead the way and followed. The coloring of her dress today, unlike a few days ago, was atrocious. It was a mustard-yellow color that did not suit her at all. She wore another lace cap. This one was all white. The cut of the dress did complement her form, he realized, as his eyes dipped down to her waist, where her hips flared out. She turned to sit in one of the chairs, and he jerked his gaze away before taking a seat on the sofa across from her.
