Page 74 of A Wanton Adventure
After she left, Sebastian watched her with Tremont. They had a camaraderie that was different from what he and Diana had. He would be lying if he said they weren’t well-suited. The thought caused him to take a large gulp of his brandy. After one day, he had to admit, he wasn’t enamored with Tuscany.
He grabbed another drink from an attendant walking by, replacing it with his old one. He felt out of place, and he hated it because never in London had he cared enough that it mattered. But, seeing Diana with Tremont, he felt the difference in their classes. He was the bastard of a marquess watching someone he desperately wanted from afar while she mingled with her equals. He needed to get out of here.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Diana and hergroup, minus Sebastian, headed out the front door of the hotel towards carriages waiting for them. Monroe had arranged for all of them to go on a sightseeing tour of the city. Signor Gallo would be escorting them. She glanced around, frowning. Where was Sebastian?
She hadn’t seen him last night either. A blush spread across her cheeks. She’d expected him to visit her, but after several hours had passed, she’d given in to sleep. Diana should have suspected something was amiss when Sebastian left the dinner without telling anyone. Confusion and sadness filled her.
Her gut clenched that perhaps he had moved on to other things. If that were the case, Diana would accept it. They’d both agreed this affair would end once they were in London. Still, they were not in London, even if Livorno felt like it. As Diana waited to be helped into the carriage, Sebastian walked out the front door with a beautiful woman and an older man. He spied her and their group and smiled. Maybe he’d simply been tired yesterday evening.
Diana smiled back. “I worried you wouldn’t join us today.”
He laughed. “No. I found a club last night and met these two travelers. I was checking with Signor Gallo to see if there was room in the carriages for them to accompany us.”
Arthur, along with Signor Gallo, walked out the door. Their guide said, “I found one more person. Everyone, in the carriages so we can start our day.”
Her aunt looked around at Arthur, Sebastian, the new couple, and Diana, and said, “I will ride with Mr. Spoor and Mr. Haggerty.”
Signor Gallo nodded. “I will ride with you as well.”
Diana entered the carriage, followed by the young woman and then the men. Lord Tremont joined her on one side, and Sebastian and the couple sat across from them. The woman was pretty, breathtaking even. Annoyance unfurled in Diana’s stomach.
“Devons, do you plan to introduce us?” Arthur said in a tone that suggested Sebastian was behaving like a heathen.
Diana was still startled that Sebastian had been at a club last night. Sebastian smiled at him, but it had an edge to it. “I was getting there, Lord Tremont.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Swinson, please meet Lady Hensley and Lord Tremont. Lady Hensley is the woman I explained I was traveling with, and Lord Tremont is a good friend of hers.”
Her eyes flew to his face at the phrasing and tone he used for a good friend. She frowned.
Mrs. Swinson giggled. “We met Mr. Devons at theCasa del Pavone.”
Arthur’s brows drew together. “What type of establishment is that?”
The woman Diana was starting to dislike clapped. “It’s a gaming hall, but they shockingly allow women there as well. Can you believe it?”
Diana tried to ignore the hurt growing in her that Sebastian had intentionally chosen not to visit her the previous evening. Arthur pursed his lips in disapproval. “I’m not sure we should discuss this.”
Mrs. Swinson snorted. “No one is an innocent in this carriage, are they?”
Diana shook her head. The woman continued. “Mr. Devons is an exceptional card player. He was something of a one-man show last night, playing games and charming all the ladies in attendance.”
The hurt in Diana turned to anger. Sebastian was flirting with ladies last night. Her eyes flew to his face. Shockingly, he blushed. “No flirting.”
Mrs. Swinson nudged him with her shoulder and batted her eyelashes. “Admit it. You are quite the charmer.”
Her older husband tapped his wife on her leg. “Leave the man alone, Jaqueline. You are embarrassing him.”
The blonde beauty pouted but bounced back. “We should all go this evening.”
“No. I don’t think it is an establishment Lady Hensley and I would be interested in visiting,” Arthur said with disdain.
Devons smirked at him. “Do you speak for Lady Hensley now?”
Arthur sputtered, “No. Of course not.”
Mrs. Swinson giggled. Her gaze flitted between Diana, Devons, and Arthur. “Fascinating.”
