Page 17 of A Wanton Adventure
“Your father’s club,” the duchess said.
Miss Martin blushed but didn’t respond. The duchess turned her gaze to Diana. “What do you think, Lady Hensley?”
What did she think? She thought it was an awful idea but was surprisingly still interested. Still, her practical side told her it was too much.
“I mean it, Adelaide!” Lord Hawley roared from the foyer.
Everyone went quiet, and the faintest murmurs and gasps could be heard. Diana and the duchess rose simultaneously, both concerned. The front door slammed, and the door to the room they were sitting in opened. Lady Hawley entered, looking dazed.
“Is everything fine?” Lady Esme asked.
Lady Hawley smiled sadly, “Perhaps this wasn’t meant to be. Lord Hawley said he would drastically limit my access to our money if I went on the leisure cruise or left England. The money from the newspaper royalties and grand tours for ladies is what I hoped would sustain the club for the next two years.”
“There must be another option,” the duchess said.
Everyone’s eyes darted to her, shocked. Was the Duchess of Lusby agreeing to participate? She pursed her lips together. “I don’t like highhandedness. If we can find a way to still do the cruise, I will join the effort.”
“I could go,” Miss Martin said.
Lady Hawley shook her head. “I appreciate that, but you are not well-known within the right circles. I don’t mean that as an offense.”
Miss Martin sighed. “You are right. Well, what can we do? We can’t let your husband dictate what we are allowed to do. It won’t do.”
All the women nodded, even Diana. She felt inspired and excited. Shocking herself, she said, “What if I went?”
Everyone stared at her as if she’d suggested the craziest notion. Then Lady Hawley guffawed. Her notorious laugh that she was known for traveled through the room. Diana flushed, embarrassed.
Their host shook her head. “I’m not laughing at you. I think it is perfect. You are the complete opposite of our investor. Are you sure?”
Diana would have to see if her sister would care for Robert while she was gone for the two months, but perhaps this was her opportunity to do something different, something radical. She nodded.
“So, we are doing this?” Lady Esme asked, somewhat dazed.
The duchess nodded. “As long as there are no issues with the trust.”
Diana, along with Miss Martin and Lady Esme nodded. They were going to do this.
“You never said who the investor was,” Miss Martin mentioned.
At that exact moment, Harrison stepped into the entryway and announced, “My lady, Mr. Devons.”
Lady Hawley beamed at them. “He just arrived.”
Diana’s stomach dropped. It couldn’t be him.
*
Sebastian looked atthe ladies who sat in the room, gawking at him. It was evident that if a flying pig had flown into the area, they would have been less surprised. He glanced back at Addie, concerned. She grinned at him and motioned for him to sit. Sebastian took a seat in one of the empty wingback chairs.
He looked around more intently, and his gaze ground to a stop at one brown-haired lady with one of those silly caps. It was Lady Hensley. What was she doing here? He doubted she andAddie traveled in the same circles. Their eyes met. She stared at him in horror. He turned back to Addie. “What have I missed, Lady Hawley?”
Addie beamed at him. “We have a change in plans, but not to worry, nothing that will impact you drastically.”
The way she said it made Sebastian suspect it would significantly affect him.
“Has something changed with the leisure cruise?”
Addie’s eyes darted to Lady Hensley, and she fidgeted. His good friend was never nervous. She looked back at him and smiled the way she did when she tried to charm her next conquest. He frowned back at her. While he could never deny Addie was stunning, her coquettish games had long ceased to affect him. He raised a black brow in response.
