Page 109 of A Wanton Adventure
She frowned and her face filled with worry. “Is something amiss?”
Diana motioned the ladies to the sitting area. Addie and Sebastian joined her right away and were then followed by Lisbeth, Esme, and Sarah. Sebastian flashed her an encouraging smile. Esme frowned at both of them. “Has another article come out?”
Diana shook her head and took a deep breath. “Devons and I are betrothed.”
No one said anything. All the ladies stared back and forth between Diana and Devons. Suddenly, Addie burst into the belly laughter she was known for. Sebastian frowned at her as Diana flushed from head to toe. Lisbeth glared at her. “Addie.”
“I’m not laughing at the match, I promise. You are perfect for each other, but I can’t believe I didn’t catch on sooner.”
Diana smiled at her, and Sebastian shook his head. The other ladies beamed at them.
“I know this may cause trouble for the club, so we wanted you all to know as soon as possible.”
Sarah shook her head in response to Diana. “You put everyone in their place at our talk. You will be the envy of thetonbecause you captured the King of the Den’s heart.”
Addie’s eyes darted to her. “Sarah, I didn’t know you followed gossip.”
The young woman rolled her eyes. “Just because I’m a scholar doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the London scandal sheets.”
Esme laughed. Addie sighed. “So, tell us how this happened.”
Diana looked at Devons. His eyes lingered on her for a moment with such adoration Diana thought she would float away with joy. He turned back to the other ladies. “Diana is my end and my beginning. There is no one quite like her.”
They all sighed, shocking Diana. None of these ladies were the least bit romantic, but with a few words, Sebastian made them so.
“So, you aren’t mad?” Diana asked the board members.
Addie laughed. “It seems scandal will follow our club no matter what. We should embrace it. I learned a long time ago that words and gossip can only hurt you as much as you allow.”
Lisbeth nodded. “I agree. The gossip is only going to continue whether it is Diana or one of us.”
Sarah Martin frowned. “What else could they say about us?”
Lisbeth lifted a brow. “You and Esme are both considered bluestockings, I’m considered peculiar with a secretive past, Addie is considered a flamboyant walking scandal, and now Diana is about to marry one of the greatest rogues in London.”
Her soon-to-be husband’s mouth tilted up in a smirk. “Not one of the greatest.”
Addie snorted. “You are and I love that you lost your heart to the most proper lady in all of London.”
Esme and Sarah laughed. Lisbeth just shook her head. “Who knew you were such a romantic, Addie?”
She shrugged. “I can admire a love story, especially when it involves a besotted rogue.”
Sebastian’s eyes met Diana’s. “Completely besotted.”
Later that day, Diana paced back and forth in her drawing room. She was delighted at how well received the news of her and Sebastian’s betrothal had gone with the ladies of the Historical Society for Female Curators. Currently, she was waiting on Wescott. Sebastian had requested to meet with him to ask his permission to marry Diana.
While she found it to be a touching sentiment, Diana wanted the news to come from her first. She needed to know his thoughts before Sebastian spoke with him. The door opened, and her butler announced, “The Duke of Wescott.”
Diana rose and smiled as her father-in-law made his way to the sitting area. “I was delighted to receive a missive from you, and I must admit, intrigued.”
She laughed as they both sat. “Thank you for coming. I have some news for you.”
Her father-in-law smirked. “I suspected you might. Recently, I received a request for a meeting from Mr. Devons.”
Diana blushed. Wescott chuckled. “Every week when I read the column about your leisure cruise, I suspected that man waswooing you. I suppose I can meet with him and find out if he is acceptable.”
She stiffened, concerned. “Mr. Devons is a good man. He may not have a title but—”
