Sebastian flushed. She spun on her heels and marched right out the door. He cursed silently but before he knew it, she was back standing in the doorway. Her eyes emanated with fury. “And don’t presume that I will not be on theSS Lark. It will take more than a kiss from you to scare me off from going on this trip for the club.”
He said nothing until he was sure she was gone, and then yelled, “Fuck!”
What had Sebastian done? He’d behaved atrociously. He ran a hand over his face.
Chapter Seven
Diana laughed asher father-in-law, the Duke of Wescott, yelled, “Snapped.”
Her son exclaimed. “You are cheating, Grandad!”
He tipped his head back and chuckled. For a moment, he reminded Diana of Stuart. A small bit of pain ricocheted through her heart, but she pushed it away, knowing her husband would hate her sadness.
“Mother?”
Her father-in-law added, “It’s time to count your pairs.”
She smiled at her son, amused by his excitement that he may win the card game. This was their third game, and Diana and Wescott had both won once. She counted her matches. “Five.”
Robert jumped up and danced around the table in the drawing room. “I have eleven, and Grandad has ten. I win!”
Both she and Wescott laughed. Robert returned to the table and started to organize the cards. Wescott shook his head. “No more today. Your governess has prepared a lesson for you, and I promised I would walk in the gardens with your mother.”
Robert jutted his chin out. “I want to go for a walk too.”
Diana leaned over and ruffled his hair. “Another time. Miss Melanie has been waiting ever so patiently to give you your history lessons.”
As if on cue, Miss Melanie appeared smiling. “Come, Lord Robert. I have an exciting event to tell you about.”
He looked at her skeptically. She said, “I promise.”
Diana’s son sighed but followed his governess out. Her father-in-law rose and offered Diana his arm. They were silent as they made their way to her gardens. She had sent word to Wescott a few days ago about her upcoming adventure. He’d responded that he was looking forward to speaking about it during his weekly visit.
“So, tell me about this trip and how it came to be. Does it relate to an announcement I read connecting your name with some society for female curators?”
Diana nodded. “Yes, I will be traveling as part of my duties associated with the Historical Society for Female Curators. I had hoped to tell you more about it first. I apologize you learned about it by way of the press.”
He chuckled. “Diana, I would never insinuate you have to discuss your choices with me.”
She blushed. “I know, but as Stuart’s father, I don’t want you to think I don’t value your opinion.”
They stopped, and both sat on one of the garden benches. He smiled. “I think my son would be delighted about you joining this club. It will be good for you. Now, tell me about this adventure. How does it line up with your club?”
“The club needs ways to generate income and interest, so Lady Hawley coordinated with two newspapers to publish accounts about the ports of a new leisure cruise. She secured passage for me and my Aunt Winifred as well as our investor. Our investor and I will write about our travels, and the papers will publish them.”
“Fascinating, and who is the investor?”
Nerves fizzled in Diana’s stomach. “Sebastian Devons.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Who else is on the board?”
Diana listed off all the ladies, and his brows drew together in confusion. “Only one man?”
“The club will be managed by all women. Mr. Devons is to be a nonvoting member. We have entered into a trust with him.”
Her father-in-law wasn’t a half-wit. A look of understanding crossed his face. “Lady Hawley is preventing any of the board members’ families from taking control.”
She nodded. Wescott frowned at her. “Do you think I would ever do something like that?”
