Curious, Sebastian asked. “Do you ever miss London?”
He was quiet for a moment but finally said, “My mother sometimes. But I was the son of a house servant in London and likely would have never become more than that if I hadn’t left.”
Sebastian suspected if he returned now, Easton would be one of the richest men in the city. His exploits, true or not, were well-known. “You have serials written about you. You are very popular.”
Easton smirked. “Good. Still, I have no desire to socialize with the peerage. I learned long ago they aren’t for me.”
There was a story there, Sebastian guessed, but he wouldn’t press the man.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Early August—Gibraltar 1850
As Diana walkedto drop off her and Sebastian’s last missives, she surveyed the streets. Gibraltar appeared to be a contradiction of many things, both civilized and uncivilized. She wrinkled her nose at her disparaging thoughts. Maybe civilized was the wrong word, perhaps bohemian and proper. She suspected no one here was one or the other but a bit of both.
It was probably the same everywhere. Men and women weren’t so one-dimensional they could be described as rogues or the perfect examples of a moral compass. Her mind flitted back to the caricature and article she’d agonized over a few months ago. Clara had been right. Shame on the writer for casting proper women as such simple beings. Looking back, Diana felt embarrassed that the article upset her so much.
“This place is awful. We should return to the ship,” her mother said snootily.
There had been an issue with theSS Lark, so Monroe had all hands focused on that. He’d asked if she was comfortable enough to deliver her and Sebastian’s last letters to one of the offices that handled mail and the shipment of goods. She’d agreed, thinking nothing of leaving the ship. Diana smiled, amused at how more at ease she was now with being abroad. She was by no means a travel expert, but somewhere along the way, she’d acquired not only her sea legs but also her adventure legs.
Diana couldn’t completely disagree with her mother. A city like Gibraltar would shock most ladies. It seemed everyone mingled here. It was obvious there was still a class system, but no one paid much attention to it.
“Really, Diana, Tremont can deliver your letters,” her mother added.
Diana glanced at Arthur, who appeared more uncomfortable than the duchess. She forced herself not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Neither her mother nor Arthur would have done well at any of their other ports.
“Mother, you didn’t have to come with us. I requested you didn’t.”
Her mother pursed her lips. “I couldn’t stay on that ship any longer.”
The quality of everything on the vessel had been unsatisfactory to her. Diana had no doubt Monroe and his crew couldn’t wait for her departure. She’d apologized multiple times for her mother’s behavior, but Monroe insisted she should not be the one apologizing. Aunt Winifred had grown tired of her complaining and would shut it down every time she started.
Laughter erupted from a man and woman in the street. Diana smiled, suddenly thinking Sebastian would enjoy the chaos of this city. Her smile faltered as the lingering sadness she felt since he left became more pronounced. She missed him. Every day, she tried to stop herself from feeling anything for him, but it was still there. Hopefully, once back in England, she would be able to come to terms with the fact it was just a tryst. A magical moment she should cherish but was permanently over.
She spotted the office they were looking for. “We made it.”
“I’m not going in there,” her mother stated.
Diana sighed. Aunt Winifred, Spoor, and Haggerty had all begged off from joining her on her adventure into the city, and Diana suspected it was because of her mother. They didn’t spendnearly as much time together. She missed her little group that had splintered since Sebastian’s departure.
Arthur turned to her, horrified. “I can’t let Diana go in there alone.”
“Well, you can’t leave me out here. I’m a duchess.”
Her eyes flicked down her mother, who was dressed in a far too elaborate outfit, at least for travel. Diana touched Arthur’s arm. “Stay here with her. You will be able to watch me through the windows.”
Arthur reluctantly nodded. She entered the small office and took a deep breath. Happy to be by herself, even for a moment. Her mother or Arthur always seemed to be with her. She pulled two envelopes from her hidden pocket in her skirt. She’d resealed Sebastian’s letter, but hers was still open. This was the last missive she’d send for the column. She supposed she could write one for Gibraltar, but it didn’t feel right without Sebastian here. Pulling the folded paper from the envelope, she read her words once more.
To the Ladies of London,
Tuscany is the ideal place for any London lady to arrive after so many adventures. It is filled with so many places to visit but also feels like home. It is certainly not a place to be missed.
Yet as I sit here, thinking about all the ports I have visited, my favorite is Sardinia. The water, the sand, and the dancing made me believe magic still exists in this world, and it is no illusion but real.
Soon these exciting ports will be available to you. Please visit the Historical Society for Female Curators at Seely House to learn more. I will happily detail my adventures once I return.
Lady Hensley
