Page 103 of A Wanton Adventure
Addie’s eyes widened. Harston sputtered. “Of course not. They would never be able to compare to the London Society of Antiquaries.”
Diana couldn’t believe Lord Hawley defended them, and from Addie’s reaction, neither could she. Hawley shrugged. “Then I see no need for you to question why they are starting the club. There are enough antiquities in the world for both clubs to coexist. Am I wrong?”
Harston shook his head but looked angry that Hawley had taken away his thunder.
“Wonderful. Lady Hensley and Mr. Devons, I’m looking forward to your talk and the follow-on exhibit. May we continue?” Hawley asked.
Sebastian smiled at him, amused. Diana stared at him in amazement. This man, whom Diana had only met once and at the time he’d been furious about their club had shut down his colleague for them. Sebastian lifted a brow. “Shall you start, my lady?”
Diana nodded and smiled at the crowd. “We will begin with our first port, Le Conquet.”
*
Sebastian stood onthe second-floor walkway that overlooked the main hall of the Den, watching men mingle in the packed room. It was a busy night for the club. All the game tables were full and those not playing were milling about, engaged in lively conversations. Sebastian loved this club. When he stood up here and saw the scale of what he and Malcolm had accomplished, it took his breath away.
They’d first started a tavern catering to the elite crowd, but Sebastian had wanted something grander. He and Malcolm first envisioned the Den when they visited the location that would become their club. It had been a night of debauchery hosted by the previous, now deceased, Marquess of Merry and his son Desmond.
While others had fucked and drank their night away, Sebastian and Malcolm had wandered around the estate with grand ideas formulating in their mind. They’d left, unsure if their dream would be possible. But then the marquess keeled over, and at an almost frantic pace, Desmond gambledeverything away, including the grounds and building that made up the Den. Sebastian had taken the win of the property as a sign that his club was meant to be. He was proud of all that he and Malcolm had accomplished since.
Sebastian hated that he’d been brought so low by his feelings for Diana. He loathed how he’d treated Malcolm and how much resentment he’d allowed to fester. Never again would he allow himself to be driven into such a state.
His mind drifted to his and Diana’s talk the previous day at Seely House. Once they’d made it through the debacle of questions from condescending pompous asses, their talk about the leisure cruise had gone well.
Sebastian couldn’t believe how Diana defended him. She’d used the quote from his pocket watch. He pulled the item from his pocket and flipped it open, reading the words he did his best to live by.
“It looks like we will have a good night,” Malcolm said, joining him.
Sebastian closed up his watch and put it away. “Yes, it does.”
They stood there silently surveying the crowd. Eventually, Sebastian sighed. “What is it?”
Malcolm frowned. “Are you sure Lady Hensley received your letter? Could it have been replaced or lost?”
What was his brother getting at? “I have no doubt she received it. She sent my Ladies of London letter to the papers. They were together.”
“She seemed so protective of you today.”
A smirk filled Sebastian’s face. “Now you like her?”
“Of course not. She chose that idiot Tremont over you. I could never forgive her for that. Did you see he showed up late to Seely House? What the fuck does she see in him?”
Sebastian didn’t know, and his thoughts weren’t much different from Malcolm’s. He had wanted to speak with her aftertheir talk, but he had been unable to pull her aside because Tremont followed her around like a lost puppy.
“She used Father’s words to defend you. Her words contained a level of sincerity I wasn’t expecting.”
A flurry of anger swelled in Sebastian’s chest. “Yet she went to Tremont afterward.”
Malcolm snorted. “I’m not sure he gave her much choice.”
“It’s over. I’m moving on,” he said and turned to leave.
Malcolm grabbed his arm, stopping him. “I’m not telling you to declare your love for her, but ask if she received the missive. You will harbor deep regret if you discover she never saw it when it is too late. Make no mistake, Tremont is making moves to marry her as fast as possible.”
Sebastian walked away, not responding. Tonight, he wanted to do something that brought him great joy, entertaining the customers of his club. He didn’t want to think about Diana. It was foolish and torturous. Malcolm was trying to give him hope but Sebastian knew there was none.
As his foot hit the ground of the first floor, several lords hollered his name. He grinned. “What type of trouble are you lords wanting to get into?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
