Page 56 of A Wanton Adventure
Devons shook his head. “I think I will grab a drink.”
The smirk on Messina’s face grew larger. “That sounds like a brilliant plan. I shall accompany you.”
That was the last thing Devons wanted to happen, but he didn’t have a way to politely decline. And he didn’t want to cause a scene. He suspected by the way Messina interacted with everyone that he was a frequent customer.
Sebastian shrugged as he found an empty sitting area. The chairs were covered in a deep-purple fabric. Situated in the middle of them was an elegant mahogany table with a crystal decanter and glasses. Messina plopped down in a chair across from him. “If you don’t want brandy they have other options.”
“This will be fine.”
He poured himself and Messina a glass. They sat in silence until the count said, “You will be leaving for Sardinia tomorrow. Correct?”
Sebastian nodded.
Messina took a sip of his drink and tilted his head back against the chair, closing his eyes. “That is where I’m from. A lovely area but very rural.”
“How did you end up in Porto?”
Messina’s eyes flew open. He sat up and smiled bitingly. “The revolution.”
The man had fought, Sebastian realized. He saw it in his eyes now. The look so many soldiers had after returning. All of England had watched as the rest of the world had one revolution after the other. Several areas, such as the Kingdoms of Sardinia, Sicily, and Tuscany, had fought to unify. But most of it had been suppressed.
“If it hadn’t happened, I would have never left my family’s land. Maybe for a grand tour, but all that I desire is there.”
“Yet here you are.”
Messina laughed. “Here I am. My loyalty to the exiled King of Sardinia demanded it. I’m assisting in a few matters that need to be wrapped up. Once they are complete, I will return to Sardinia for good and marry.”
“A nice Sardinian woman?”
Messina nodded. “Of noble blood.”
Sebastian smirked, disgusted. The count was one of those men who valued bloodlines over everything else. He hadn’t expected that from him. As if sensing Sebastian’s thought, Messina shook his head. “I’m not a snob. I believe all men can better themselves, but I also follow tradition. In my family, men have always married noble women from my region. Not once in five hundred years has the tradition been broken.”
“And Diana?”
Messina took another sip of his brandy. “A flirtation.”
A surge of protectiveness filled Sebastian. Messina added, “I suspect what she is after as well. I doubt she is looking to marry a count from a land she’s never been to.”
Sebastian begrudgingly nodded. Messina winked at him. “But don’t worry, friend. I have a feeling her desires remain firmly English.”
“That isn’t the relationship we have.”
“Why not? Are you against such things?”
The corner of Devons’s lips quirked up. “Not at all.”
The count studied him. “Then it must be that there is too much at stake for you.”
Sebastian shrugged. “We belong to very different social circles.”
“You have already allowed yourself to care for her. Now, the heart wants what the heart wants.”
A snort escaped Sebastian. “This coming from the man who will only marry a woman with the right lineage. Your advice is surprisingly romantic.”
Messina laughed. “Unlike you, I would never be as foolish as you to allow myself to fall for someone unsuitable. Now you must pursue her.”
Sebastian took a sip of his brandy “Our relationship is fine as is.”
