Page 71 of A Wanton Adventure
He beamed. “I hope that you are delighted as well. I took one of the faster vessels. I arrived a few days ago. Your mother has been a gracious guide.”
She smiled, not wanting to be impolite. Diana supposed his arrival wasn’t that outlandish. He was a man who wanted to court her. But every part of her wanted to yell,no, not yet. Diana wanted more time with Sebastian. Her eyes swiveled around the room, looking to see if Sebastian had encountered Arthur yet. Nerves filled her.
“You have spent too much time in the sun, Diana,” her mother said.
Diana couldn’t believe that, after years of not seeing her, that was all the woman who bore her had to say. She forced herself to smile. “That is true, Mother.”
At that moment, Sebastian, Haggerty, and Spoor entered the hotel from a side door. Sebastian laughed at something Haggerty said but then his eyes landed on Arthur. The laughter vanished. Next, his eyes flicked to her mother and then her. It may have been only Diana’s imagination, but it appeared as if the entire foyer had grown silent. Sebastian clenched his jaw.
Arthur, oblivious to any tension swirling in the area, walked over to him. “Good afternoon, Mr. Devons. You and Diana are becoming quite the sensation with your column in London.”
“That was the point,” Devons said flatly.
Diana, unsure what to do, fell back on all her etiquette training. “Mother, may I introduce a few of my travel companions, Mr. Devons, Mr. Haggerty, and Mr. Spoor?”
All three men bowed. She nodded in return, her gaze lingering on Sebastian. Her mother’s eyes narrowed as she perused him in a most unacceptable fashion. Her mouth pinched with distaste before turning back to Diana. “I’ve come to collect you in person. I insist you stay with me.”
Diana’s eyes darted to Sebastian’s. He stared back at her, and she sensed he was thinking the same thing. Reality was quickly being thrust back on them. Diana was not ready. She would not be forced into anything. She shook her head. “Aunt Winifred and I are settled at the hotel.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “My sister is with you. I hadn’t realized she returned to England. Her husband enjoys living abroad.”
“Lord Clark passed away a couple of years ago and Aunt Winifred decided to return to London. Since her arrival, we have grown close. She has accompanied me on the trip.”
Her mother frowned. Her aunt always said she and Diana’s mother were like oil and water, but she didn’t realize how deep their dislike for each other was.
“I hadn’t planned to have a visitor beyond you.”
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to leave her at the hotel alone.”
Her mother sighed. “As you wish.”
It wasn’t a lie, but Diana also didn’t want to stay with her. Partly because of Sebastian but also because she and her mother were not on good terms. She was playing as if they were, but Diana suspected that was only because she hoped to return to England. She needed Diana’s support for that.
“Your mother has wonderful news,” Arthur said.
“Yes, I would like to host you and your fellow travelers for dinner at my home in three days. Everyone is welcome,” she said, her eyes flicking over Devons and the other two men.
Perhaps her mother had changed. She couldn’t think of a time growing up when her mother would have allowed commoners to dine with her. Diana, still stunned, took a deep breath. “That is kind of you. We would love that.”
Her mother nodded. “I didn’t realize Winifred was with you. If possible, I would prefer to visit with you today alone.”
“Mother, I have plans with my travel companions.”
Annoyance flashed in the woman’s eyes. “Diana, I have planned a full day for you, Arthur, and me.”
Why was Arthur going? Diana’s gaze flew to Sebastian. His eyes were filled with fire.
“We can all go together,” Diana stated.
Her mother pursed her lips. “You have been with your travel companions for weeks. You can spend time with your mother and a close family friend today. I must insist.”
Diana’s gaze darted back and forth between her mother and Arthur. When had Arthur become a close family friend? She gulped, unsure what to do. She wanted to stay here with Sebastian. All of her etiquette training stopped her from declining. She nodded. Sebastian’s face became shuttered. “If you will excuse me.”
Diana watched him stalk off. She wanted to run to him and tell him it was only a few hours but didn’t. Why did it feel like London society and all its rigid rules were back in full force? Annoyance and frustration festered within her.
“Come along, Diana,” her mother said.
“Aunt Winifred is napping. Let me wake her and tell her you are here. She may want—”
