Page 42 of A Wanton Adventure
He flipped open the watch and showed her the engraved words he’d done his best to remember every day of his life.The measure of a man is defined by his actions.
“Loving words for a man to tell his son. Your upbringing seems unique but wonderful.”
Sebastian smirked. “That isn’t to say there weren’t dramatics and a price for living in scandal, but I’d like to believe my parents and Malcolm’s mother, along with her companion, made the right choice. They chose love.”
Diana smiled, amused. “You are such a romantic, Sebastian Devons.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “A practical romantic. I will only ever wed for love. I had a front-row seat of what can happen if you don’t.”
“You are lucky you are a man and can make that choice.”
Sebastian studied her. “You could marry for love again. You loved your husband.”
Sadness flickered across her face. “For ladies, especially the mother of a duke, marriage is more of a business arrangement.”
She deserved to be loved again, deeply. Sebastian didn’t say it, knowing that even though Diana was on this adventure shewould go back to whom she had been before. They both would. Instead, he said, “I’m so sorry you lost him.”
She glanced down, playing with sand as if thinking through her thoughts. Eventually, she looked at him. “Thank you. I’m happy I was able to experience love at least once, no matter how brief. We were lucky. I didn’t choose him. My parents and his father made the match. His, because he was afraid Stuart would never marry as he was so quiet. Mine, because he would someday be a duke. Love grew for us.”
“Sometimes that is the best way.”
She flushed. “I had my own preconceived notions when I met him. He was not what I envisioned or whom I thought my parents would pick.”
“What changed?” Sebastian asked, curious.
Diana pursed her lips and thought about it. “I had assumed he wouldn’t want anything to do with me because of how transactional our betrothal was and that I was merely a means to carrying on his family’s title. I was distant from him at first. But he shocked me. He insisted on speaking with me all the time. He wanted to understand my thoughts, my desires, and what would bring me joy. No one had ever asked me such questions. I had been raised to be whatever my husband dictated.”
Sebastian discreetly reached over and squeezed her hand. She smiled and glanced at him with watery eyes. “We laughed a lot. We learned about passion together. Not only was I naive about such things but Stuart, until marriage, hadn’t been terribly focused on it either.”
She blushed a fierce red and added, “The books he brought home for us shocked me at first. My husband was a thorough man when it came to research. It was beautiful to explore and learn such things together.”
“You make me wish my first experiences were more special.”
She pulled her hand away and wiped her watery eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe I shared something so personal. Some days are harder than others.”
“I apologize for bringing it up.”
“It’s fine. I have had plenty of time to grieve. He would be so upset with me for being so sad. When we knew the end was near, he made me promise I would be happy.”
“I had heard he was sick for quite some time.”
Diana nodded. “He kept passing out. The doctors determined he had a heart condition, and he wouldn’t make it another year. He passed away six months later.”
She wiped her eyes again. “Ugh…No more of this talk.”
There was so much more he wanted to say, but Sebastian didn’t. He stood and held out his hand. He didn’t want her to end the day filled with such sadness. “You may be unable to swim in the ocean, but I think walking along the shore would be a wonderful reprieve.”
Diana took a deep breath and allowed him to pull her up. Once she was standing, Sebastian tucked her hand in his arm.
Chapter Twelve
Captain Monroe escortedDiana around the weather deck. She’d been surprised when an attendant knocked on her door to ask if she would entertain a walk with the captain.
“I feel I may have offended you by requesting you wait on the ship at our first stop. I want to apologize. It wasn’t my intent to upset you. In truth, I want these types of leisure cruises to be successful. If you and Lady Hawley can help with that, I would be delighted.”
Diana smiled, happy he was apologizing, but she was confused as to why it seemed so sudden. She supposed she should just be content that they were no longer debating the topic. “Thank you, Captain Monroe.”
“Did you enjoy your time at the cove and Le Conquet?”
