Sebastian’s eyes slid over to Diana. She frowned as her gaze flicked back and forth between him and the dancer. Finally, Diana forced herself to smile and said, “You did wonderfully.”
Sebastian wanted to dance with her. He wished his body could rock against Diana’s. He felt his member twitch at the thought.Fuck!He needed to stop focusing on her. Whatever these emotions and connections were, he needed to move past them. Still, it only confirmed that some distance between them was the best course of action. But not too much. Diana and Sebastian had spent so much time together at the beginning of the trip, he couldn’t avoid her completely.
Within days of departing England, everyone on the ship had seemed to separate into little groups that did everything together. Sebastian didn’t want to break that up. Even today, they’d traveled with the rest of their tribe, including her aunt, Mr. Spoor, and Mr. Haggerty. He glowered because Messina had joined them as well.
The dancer beamed at him. “You are a good dancer. I would ask you to accompany me to an event tonight, but I think you would decline.”
Sebastian’s eyes darted to Diana, who quickly glanced away. What was the blasted woman doing to him? He should have wanted to join the dancer, but he had no desire. The lovely woman’s mouth stretched into an amused smirk. “Good day, sir.”
Later that evening, Sebastian declined to go out to dinner with everyone. He wasn’t avoiding Diana, but he was uninterested in watching Messina fawn over her. Agitation filled him that she hadn’t returned to the hotel yet. He’d heard her aunt and Mr. Spoor in the hallway but not Diana.
Even though it wasn’t any of his business, it worried Sebastian that she was alone with Messina. Diana and Sebastian’s rooms were both located on the fourth floor of thehotel while Messina’s was on the fifth. He would not interrupt her but would wait up until he was certain she made it to her room safely.
Sebastian poured himself a brandy, slowly drinking it. He tried to read a book but couldn’t focus. Finally, a man’s voice echoed down the hallway followed by a woman’s. No, what he heard was Diana’s voice. Sebastian stood closer to the door. Diana’s laugh filtered into his room and then there was silence. Was Messina being inappropriate with her? Was he taking advantage of her? Unable to contain his concern, he yanked the door open, and Diana and Messina sprang apart.
She stared at him in shock. Messina scowled. Sebastian ignored him. “Are you fine, Lady Hensley?”
Diana’s brows drew together in confusion. “Yes. I was bidding the count good night.”
Sebastian became rooted to the floor. He folded his arms, leaning against the side of his room’s doorway. Diana looked from him to Messina and back. He wouldn’t leave until the count departed. He was being an ass and he knew it.
“Can you give us a moment?” Messina asked.
He shook his head, and the count sighed. He took Diana’s hand in his and said, “Good night, Lady Hensley.”
She glanced at Sebastian before turning back and said, “Good night.”
The count left and made his way down the hallway. When Sebastian turned back to Diana, she was glaring at him. “What are you doing out here?”
“Making sure you are unharmed.”
“From Messina. He is a gentleman.”
Sebastian snorted. Diana angrily pressed her lips together.
“I wanted to make sure he wasn’t taking any liberties with you.”
She sighed. “Maybe, I was hoping he would. Maybe, I have enjoyed being pursued by a man who is open with his feelings.”
He scowled, knowing she was intentionally pointing out Messina’s behavior. “Next time, I won’t interrupt.”
Diana pushed open her door. “Please don’t. Good night, Devons.”
Chapter Sixteen
Diana twirled around,taking in the amphitheater. It was a stunning piece of history. The city of Malaga had taken great care in preserving the Roman ruins. The debris and layers of dirt had been removed to reveal what lay beneath. Messina told her the time-consuming task took scholars and antiquarians multiple years. She’d been surprised the project had been a collaboration between Spanish scholars and a group of English antiquarians involved in the transport and export business.
The world-renowned explorer Thomas Easton and his colleagues Benjamin and Rose Calvert were the English antiquarians who participated. Even Diana had heard of them. Thomas Easton was famous for having serials written about his expeditions and escapades, while the Calvert family was well-established in the antiquities community for translating ancient texts. They were a father and daughter duo.
Messina walked ahead of her.
Diana asked, “Have you ever met Mr. Easton or the Calverts?”
“I have. Easton is always traveling to some far-flung place. The Calverts travel but spend a few months of each year in Tuscany. If you are interested, I could try to set up an introduction while you are there. They would enjoy learning about your club.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Messina smiled and winked. “Anything for my favorite English lady. I wish I were traveling to Sardinia and Tuscany with you, but my businesses here in Malaga need me.”
