Page 58 of A Wanton Adventure
At least a dozen of them leaped out of the water next to the ship. Their gray skin reflected the sparkling ocean. It was a sight Diana wasn’t sure she would ever witness again. She squeezed Devons’s arm harder, and he clasped it with his other hand. She glanced at him, and he smiled in awe of the creatures.
“Those aren’t mermaids, dolt,” a sailor told the attendant.
“No, they are dolphins,” Diana explained.
The sailor nodded. “They are good luck.”
Diana and Devons continued to watch them until they disappeared. She glanced down and realized she was still holding on to him. She stepped back from him but grinned. “Did we really see that?”
He nodded, still amazed. Moments like this made her realize how much, during this trip, she had grown to adore being friends with Devons. She didn’t want to lose that, especially for a tryst. Diana would follow Devons’s lead and ignore their attraction. It would fade, and they would still have theirfriendship firmly intact. She nudged him. “I’m glad I got to see this with you.”
“Me too.”
He held his arm out. “Back to the saloon.”
She took it. “I’ll walk with you but leave you there. I want to write my next letter to the ladies of London with that fresh in my mind.”
An hour later, Diana beamed as she looked down at her missive. She was starting to enjoy writing them. She shook her head still in disbelief at the sight she and Devons witnessed.
To the Ladies of London,
I have so much to tell you, but first, I need to share what I witnessed today.
Mermaids!
Well, dolphins, but that is what the ship attendant called them. They are considered lucky, a sailor told us. Both Mr. Devons and I were lucky enough to see them just after sunrise. Witnessing them frolicking in the water is perhaps the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed.
Now, on to Malaga. This city is full of excitement. We learned several fast-paced dances. I must admit they would be considered quite scandalous in any London ballroom. Mr. Devons was far better on his feet than I. We finished our time in Malaga with a visit to a Roman amphitheater. I wasn’t expecting to see such old ruins, but Malaga is indeed another perfect stop for those ladies hoping to do a similar leisure cruise.
During the trip, I’ve met many travelers that I think will become lifelong friends. I dare say that even Mr. Devons is becoming a dear friend to this proper lady. Ladies, he is a most decent and enjoyable travel companion.
Lady Hensley
*
“I still can’tbelieve we haven’t seen any since you saw them this morning,” Diana’s aunt said.
Diana laughed. They were seated in the dining saloon with their regular group of people. Devons smiled. “You have to wake before the afternoon to see them.”
Lady Clark scowled at him. “I stood outside for almost an hour, hoping to spot dolphins. One of the sailors said they spotted one farther out. I think he was trying to make me feel better. Were they really that close to the ship?”
Sebastian’s eyes met Diana’s. They had been that close, and he was glad the two of them had witnessed the awe-inspiring creatures together. All day he’d been delighted that his and Diana’s relationship appeared to be going back to normal. Well, what it was before the whole Messina debacle. His mood improvement likely helped the situation. It wasn’t in Sebastian’s nature to be so surly. Diana was only his friend. He shouldn’t have behaved like such an ass.
“They were, Aunt,” Diana said, laughter in her voice.
Monroe joined them. “You mostly see them at sunrise.”
Lady Clark scrunched her nose up. “I can’t rise that early.”
“Why is that?” Diana asked Monroe.
Monroe smiled at her. “No one knows. The ocean is a mysterious place.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes. Diana glanced at him and gave him a pointed stare. He grinned. Yes, their relationship was doing much better.
“Tomorrow, we arrive in Sardinia. The waters in the region are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I tried to convince Messina to travel with us, but he couldn’t. Don’t worry,his family will make sure we are taken care of. Also, Andria Porcu is from there. He can answer all your questions,” Monroe said before nodding to one of the attendants removing plates from dinner.
“Perhaps, I will go swimming while visiting Sardinia. I have to try it somewhere,” Spoor said.
