“This is yours.”
Diana ran her finger along it and smiled. Somewhat in disbelief, she was part of this. She looked up and saw all the other board members in the sitting area, waiting for her. She blushed, embarrassed to be caught being so excited about something as simple as a desk.
She made her way over to where they sat and took a seat in a wingback chair. Sarah beamed at her. “It’s rather exciting, isn’t it?”
Diana laughed. “Yes. I don’t think I realized how much so until I saw my desk.”
“We all felt the same way,” Addie said.
“How was your trip?” Esme asked as she sat.
Diana didn’t know where to start. Instead, she simply said, “It was amazing.”
“Your letters were all the rage here. Now, every lady wants to go on a leisure cruise, which is what we all hoped for,” Addie said, beaming.
“Most would like Sebastian Devons to be on their trip,” Sarah Martin said with a wink.
His name caused flutters in her stomach. She would have to get used to hearing it. He was part of their club, and she would be in his presence again. Diana would never say anything bad about him. He was a decent man. Leaving Tuscany because his feelings were much more superficial than hers didn’t change that. A simple affair is what they agreed to.
“He was a true asset on the journey. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the ports.”
“Why didn’t he return with you?” Addie asked.
She did blush then and didn’t doubt it was a deep red. Everyone stared at her waiting for her to respond. Finally, she said. “I think travel agrees with Devons. He was likely hungry for more adventure.”
All the ladies nodded as if it made perfect sense. Thank goodness.
“I believe he went to Damascus,” she added.
Esme gasped. “Truly?”
Diana smiled. “Yes.”
The young woman looked positively jealous. She muttered something about him being lucky.
“I loved your stop in Le Conquet. I’m so excited we will get to display some of the medieval manuscripts from the region,” Lisbeth said.
The duchess was a known collector of many types of historical artifacts. Diana was thrilled that she was as excited. “We owe Mr. Haggerty a great deal of gratitude for allowing us to display the works. It is through his partnership with the church in Le Conquet that they will be our first exhibit.”
“He doesn’t work with the London Society of Antiquaries?” Sarah asked.
Diana smirked. “I think he was happy we were not part of them.”
They all laughed.
Addie said, “One point for the Historical Society for Female Curators.”
Laughter erupted again. Finally, when Addie stopped, she said, “While you were gone, we tried to plan out what roles we would all perform as board members.”
Diana bit her lip, wondering what role she would fill. Was she to be their paragon of properness? Hadn’t Addie reached out to her for just that reason? Still, she didn’t need a desk for that. Diana nodded, hoping her role would be more.
Addie continued, “Sarah will lead up the research department. She will identify ladies who want to work with us on historical studies.”
Diana smiled at Sarah. “That makes perfect sense to me.”
“Lady Esme will be in charge of exhibit designs, and the duchess will manage the finances for the club.”
Disappointment filled Diana. If she helped with anything, she thought it would be their finances. Diana was good with numbers.
