Page 20 of A Wanton Adventure
Her sister snorted. “She will blame all that happened on Father and try to reenter society. The woman, even though she is our mother, is treacherous. Don’t forget that.”
Diana reached over and squeezed her sister’s hand. “She can’t hurt us anymore, no matter where she resides.”
Clara squeezed her hand back. The wounds of their childhood still lived in them both. They were silent for a moment, and then Clara clapped, making Diana jump. “Let’s not dwell on Mother. Tuscany is only one part of your adventure. There are so many other grand things to imagine. I still can’t believe Lady Hawley is standing up this rather unconventional club and that the board will be comprised of all women.”
“Besides our investor.”
Clara smiled. “Fascinating. Who is he?”
“It’s Sebastian Devons.”
Her sister’s eyes widened in shock. “He is an exceptional businessman. The club will do well with his support.”
Diana hadn’t revealed the other shocking bit of news. She took a deep breath and said, “Lady Hawley believes a columnabout traveling on this new type of leisure cruise would be best from the perspective of a man and woman. Mr. Devons will also be joining me on my adventure. He will be the other writer.”
A gasp escaped Clara. “Devons is going on the cruise!”
Diana rose again, pacing. “It’s a bad idea, isn’t it?”
Her sister shook her head. “No! Not at all. I just can’t imagine Devons out of London, let alone the country.”
Diana stopped her pacing. “What of his reputation?”
Clara smiled. “Sam was a partner for a brief time with Devons in his club. He is a close friend of his. He may be rumored to be scandalous, but rest assured he is nothing but honorable.”
Diana blushed furiously. “Do you think it will be perceived as scandalous for me to take this cruise with him?”
“You will be on a ship with hundreds of other people. You aren’t sharing a bed with him.”
Heat coursed through Diana at Clara’s words. Her sister continued, “Perhaps if it were Lady Hawley going or someone else, but your reputation is above reproach, and I imagine you will bring a companion with you. I’m assuming Aunt Winifred would be up for the trip. No one would consider you to do anything improper.”
There it was again, that assumption that annoyed her lately. Her mind flitted back to her moment with Devons in the alcove. She’d not been proper then. She’d felt hungry and wanton. It vexed her that she would feel such things for a man she immensely disliked.
“Perhaps Sam will speak with him about your trip.”
Diana frowned at her sister, hating the thought of Sam doing that. She didn’t need anyone speaking for her when it came to him. The man already made his conclusions about her, no matter how wrong, and he could continue to think them. Not allladies were like Lady Wesley, and it was wrong of him to think so. “Please don’t. I’m not a child.”
“He will make sure no one takes advantage of you.”
“What if I want someone to take advantage of me? To have some type of interlude.”
Clara stared at her in amazement. “Truly?”
“Well, if the right gentleman came along. I am a widow after all.” Diana blushed and added, “Of course, not with Mr. Devons.”
Clara giggled. “He wouldn’t dare with you being Sam’s sister-in-law.”
The man didn’t seem to care in the alcove at Seely House, Diana thought. She remained silent, reminding herself it was a brief thing. She wouldn’t dare do anything else with him either. Still, she wasn’t lying to her sister. Perhaps she could discover who the improper Diana was on this cruise. “I’m not sure. Will see.”
Her sister frowned, worried. “You and Stuart had such a loving relationship. I imagine that carried over to your private moments. An affair is not the same. There is less emotion involved.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “I’m not some naive miss. I understand that. And what makes you think I want any emotion if I were to have a…well…ahh…affair.”
“Because you can barely say the word.”
Diana looked down, studying her hands, before revealing the truth to her sister. “What if I want to be someone different on this trip? Someone who isn’t afraid to say anything or try anything.”
Her sister studied her. “You are thinking of that article again.”
