Page 30 of A Wanton Adventure
—your proud father, the Marquess of Derry.
He flipped to the back case where the text he tried to live by was engraved. He would do better.
“So, who will be playing host while you are away? I imagine Miller or Derry won’t be keen to stay away from their wives that much.”
Sebastian snapped the pocket watch closed. “Celeste, our host for the card tables, will step in. She is more than adequately skilled to take my place. Truthfully, I’m worried I will return and will discover I’m unneeded.”
Kincaide smiled. “I like Celeste, but I’m surprised you selected a woman. You will have society talking.”
“They talk about me anyways.”
A chuckle escaped Kincaide. “True. Enjoy the cruise. I was surprised you agreed to such an endeavor.”
Sebastian was still shocked that he himself was going. He would never admit it to his brother, but he was right. The mess with Lilah had made him angry, spilling over into everything he did. He always enjoyed drinking, playing host to theton, and the occasional trysts, but since Lilah, it had been at an excess he knew was too much. Still, he wasn’t about to reveal that to Kincaide. Instead, he said, “You know Addie. She can be damn convincing.”
They both laughed.
Chapter Nine
The Atlantic Ocean—June 1850
Diana splashed wateron her face. She planned to leave her cabin no matter what. The past two days, she hadn’t felt well enough to venture out, but tonight, she was going to dinner. Her stomach didn’t gurgle like before, and as Captain Monroe promised, she’d started to adapt to the swaying. The ship’s rocking also wasn’t nearly as much as yesterday or the day they left.
Looking in the mirror bolted above the desk, she sighed. Her hair hung over her shoulder in a plait. She smoothed her green skirts, which contained far more wrinkles than she liked, but it would have to do. Her maid Audrey still struggled with sea sickness. Earlier, she’d made her way to Diana’s cabin to help her dress, but Diana sent her back to bed. The girl could barely stand and was so pale Diana swore she was gray.
She crossed her narrow room, knocking on the door that connected her to Aunt Winifred’s cabin.
“Aunt, are you going to dinner?”
“No,” her aunt said from the other side of the door. “My stomach still hasn’t settled.”
Diana grimaced and turned around, bumping into the little table anchored to a wall. She’d been quite surprised by the size of the cabin. Diana expected it to be small but not so narrow. Her saloon cabin contained one bed pushed against the wall, a tiny desk, and a wingback chair. There was little room for anythingelse. Shockingly, Captain Monroe said the cabins bordering the saloons were considered the most spacious. What did the other rooms look like?
She wondered if Sebastian Devons was out and about. Nervousness shot through her. Diana was not up for another sparring match with him. A large farewell party saw them off, so they hadn’t exchanged more than a few pleasantries since Addie’s dinner. Robert had been delighted to see him and ran right over to Devons, leaving Arthur peeved. She wished Arthur engaged better with Robert. His lack of a connection with her son held Diana back from considering a real proposal from him.That and he makes you feel nothing, her mind whispered. She sighed.
After the ship made its way to the open ocean, the captain insisted everyone rest in their cabins. She smirked, likely because he’d been aware they would all be sick. Diana was happy the ship wasn’t rocking as much. She stepped out into the narrow hallway bordering the dining saloon.
While the ship was owned by another, the Kincaide family built theSS Lark, and it exuded the elegance they were known for. Even the carpet and wood trim were as refined as any found in the finest London townhouses. Only over the last decade had ship travel become focused on leisure cruises. The Kincaide vessels were a shining example of what was required to cater to wealthy cruisers.
As she made her way closer to the dining room, she found that a steward had opened the door for her. She stepped through, and another man greeted her with a bow. “Hello, Lady Hensley. I’m Mr. Carlson. I will be seeing your meals while you are aboard our grand vessel, theSS Lark. Tonight will be a more informal fare with no set time for dinner. Starting tomorrow evening, we will host dinner every night at eight o’clock”
She smiled in return. “I can’t imagine anyone is ready for an extravagant meal.”
“I promise, my lady, the sickness will pass.”
Diana nodded. “I feel better already.
He beamed at her. “Wonderful.”
She followed him, passing several long elegant tables until he stopped at one in the corner. She was startled to spot Devons sitting there. Their eyes met and he stood. The man, even after days at sea, looked far too virile. Her stomach fluttered.
“I’m glad you are well enough to venture out of your cabin.”
She didn’t respond at first but glanced around, wondering if she could feign sickness. As if sensing her thoughts, he said quietly, “Lady Hensley, please give me a moment of your time.”
Her eyes flicked back to his face, and she sighed. “Very well.”
Carlson asked Diana, “Would you care for a glass of red wine?”
