Page 39 of A Wanton Adventure
As they started to walk off, her aunt turned back to Audrey. “Would you like to join us or sit in the hot drafty church?”
Devons chuckled. Audrey looked at Diana and she shooed her to Aunt Winifred. Diana’s aunt had no interest in anything historical, but she didn’t hold it against her. Diana wouldn’t be on the trip without her. While, as a widow, she could travel alone, it was far more proper to do so with a companion.
As her aunt and the others disappeared, Mr. Haggerty and Monsieur Bernard walked out of the church. Their guide frowned, confused to see only Diana and Devons.
“They decided to visit one of therestaurateursinstead,” Devons explained.
“Do they know which one is best?” Monsieur Bernard asked, clearly unhappy he wasn’t consulted.
Diana and Devons glanced at each other and then back at him.
Pointing in the direction they left, Diana said, “I’m not sure but they went that way.”
Monsieur Bernard nodded. “Do not worry. I will find them and help.”
He wandered off, and Diana and Devons trailed Haggerty into the church. An older priest stood inside waiting for them. “Bonjour.”
“This is Father Jean. He is one of the priests here fluent in English. He will be showing us the manuscripts today,” Haggerty explained.
The man smiled before walking to a door at the end of the church. They followed him, passing into a smaller room. Laid out on tables were dozens of scrolls. They were beautiful, each decorated with vibrant colors and drawings. She moved closer to one, fascinated by the depiction of a very short mischievous man.
Father Jean joined her. “That is akorrigan.”
Devons and Haggerty moved next to her, and he continued his explanation. “Korrigansare troublemakers. The writing explains one should hope to never encounter them. They cause all types of mischief.”
Haggerty practically pushed Diana out of the way to stand in front of the manuscript. A flash of annoyance passed over Devons’s face. Diana held back a laugh. Father Jean moved to another one. “And these are also at times calledkorrigansbut mostly sirens. They are beautiful creatures that tempt men to their deaths.”
Diana’s eyes flicked over to Devons. He smiled. “I like this tale more.”
Of course he did. She rolled her eyes. “You would.”
Haggerty asked, “How old are these?”
Father Jean paused, thinking about his question. “Three hundred years.”
“And you have them out in the open?” Haggerty said.
The priest shrugged. “Not all the time. I took them out for you to pick the ones you want to take back with you.”
Diana’s eyes swung to Haggerty. “You are bringing these back to England.”
“Father Jean has agreed to loan them to me so I can better study the history of the region.”
These manuscripts could be exhibited at the Seely House. Diana beamed at Haggerty. “Perhaps afterward, we could discuss an idea I have.”
A few hours later, Diana took Devons’s hand as she stepped out of the carriage. The ride to the lighthouse had been bumpy but short. Only Monsieur Bernard had joined them, the rest of their crew of travelers had decided to stay in the village enjoying the food and shopping.
Diana’s eyes flitted around, taking in the rocky, rugged coastline, the stone fort, and the lighthouse jutting out at the farthest point of land. The area was both beautiful and terrifying. Perhaps it was the wind and overcast skies, but the setting reminded Diana of something one might read about in a Gothic novel.
“This might be my favorite part of our visit,” Devons said as he took in the scenery.
“More so than learning about your sirens,” she teased.
He grinned at her wickedly. “Maybe, I will see one. Monsieur Bernard is going to ask the guard at the fort if we can walk out to the lighthouse.”
“Truly?”
Devons laughed. “You were so distracted by the sights I’m guessing you missed that. He also stated the lighthouse is yet to be open but will be by the end of the year. We will be some of the first people to stand at the edge of the world.”
