Page 14 of A Wanton Adventure
Sebastian nodded.
Addie continued, “Prior to investing or splitting profits among the group, we would be willing to give you forty percent of all revenue generated.”
Addie really wanted this, Sebastian realized. She was being far too accommodating. He took a sip of a drink. “What will the payout be for the board members?”
“For two years, we will reinvest any revenue back into the club and then, following that, split any profits equally among the board.”
Sebastian was silent. He pulled his watch out and read the text from his father before flipping the cases open and closed as he pondered Addie’s words. Eventually, he said. “I will forgo any revenue for the first two years and take an equal share with the board.”
Addie beamed. “And that is why you are the only man I would trust in this venture. You, Sebastian Devons, are a decent man. A true champion for women.”
He ignored her statement, not wanting to argue with her, and asked, “What will the name of this club be?”
“The Historical Society for Female Curators.”
“Do you have the capital to start this?”
Addie grinned. “Some, but I also have an idea. I need your help with that, too. It is the bigger request.”
An hour later, Sebastian sat in his carriage, still incredulous Addie convinced him to agree to her outlandish scheme. He wasn’t sure if it was because he had Malcolm’s voice in his head saying he needed to do something besides spend all his time at the Den or he wanted to help his friend pull off the impossible.
Regardless, he was committed now. He would need to see if Celeste would play host more than the one night a week she’d agreed to. Though it made him nervous to be away from the Den for so long, Sebastian completely trusted that Malcolm, Miller, and Celeste would be fine for two months. Malcolm was right.He was stuck in a rut. He needed this venture even if he still thought it was crazy.
What did he have to lose? He couldn’t think of anything. Sebastian would spend two months touring far-flung lands with his good friend and then watch a group of ladies shake society up a bit.
Chapter Five
Diana made herway up the front path of the Seely House, joining another woman who was knocking on the door, but no one answered. She knocked harder.
“Perhaps we should go in. I don’t know if there is a staff accepting visitors,” Diana suggested.
The young woman turned to her, startled to see someone else. She was the woman from the exhibit Diana had seen sketching a statue. She nodded and pushed the door open. As they entered, Diana glanced around the two-story foyer, which had a split staircase leading into separate mezzanines. A commotion from the one on the left caused Diana and the woman to turn. Lady Hawley grinned down at them, waving exuberantly.
“Hello. You both made it. I’m so pleased. I’m sorry no one opened the door for you. My butler, Harrison, was supposed to do that, but he was so appalled at the state of Seely House that he became distracted cleaning it up.”
The butler, Diana assumed, threw the doors of a room open on the first floor, shaking his head in disgust. “My lady, perhaps we should have your guests join you at the Hawley Townhouse.”
She let out a shriek that echoed through the empty, expansive room before grinning. “Nonsense, it adds to the fun.”
The butler looked like he was about to roll his eyes, but after quickly glancing at Diana and the other woman, he thought better of it. “As you wish.”
“Good day,” a woman said from behind Diana.
They all turned. It was the Duchess of Lusby.
“Your Grace,” Lady Hawley said, curtsying. Everyone else followed her lead.
The Duchess of Lusby nodded in acknowledgment. She was dressed in a gray-and-purple frock, a sign that she was nearing the end of mourning for her husband. The duchess was a bit of a mystery. She’d fled England and stayed gone for a few years, then returned to marry a duke twenty years her senior. The couple only hosted one ball a year in London and spent most of their time in the country.
The duchess shifted, uncomfortable with the staring. “Lady Hawley, your message said you had a venture.”
Their hostess descended the stairs. “Yes, that is correct. Please join me in this room right over here.”
They all followed her to the space the butler had just emerged from. To Diana’s surprise, the room had furniture and didn’t look nearly as worn as the foyer. Perhaps Harrison could work miracles.
As they sat, Lady Hawley said, “Let me do introductions while we wait for the last lady?”
She looked at the young woman that Diana had seen at the exhibit. “This is Sarah Martin. She is a lead scholar in Roman art history. She recently wrote a paper proving there were well-regarded and highly sought-after female painters in ancient times. She has studied with some of the greatest scholars in England. Did I forget anything, Miss Martin?”
