Page 33 of A Wanton Adventure
She blushed, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.”
Now, he really was curious. “I told you about Lilah.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “I didn’t ask you to share with me.”
He winked at her and smiled. “Yet I did.”
She was silent but finally said, “A few weeks ago, one of the papers had a caricature of a lady who symbolized the moral compass of London society. Do you know who it looked like?”
Devons shook his head. Diana’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Come now, you must know.”
She believed it represented her, Sebastian realized. He said nothing, waiting for her to confirm his thoughts.
She pointed towards herself. “It’s almost as if someone drew me, cap and all.”
“I’m sure she was still beautiful.”
Diana rolled her eyes. “It made me wonder, is that all I am? Just this perfectly behaved lady. Truth be told, that is who I have always been. That is even why Addie asked me to participate in her club. It wasn’t because I had some useful skills like the duchess, Lady Esme, or Miss Martin.”
“Is that why you agreed to do the cruise?”
She nudged him with her elbow. “It wasn’t because I hoped to spend time with you.”
He flushed. “I have apologized for that.”
Diana laughed. “I know.”
“Caricatures don’t honestly represent anyone. I have known plenty of ladies who were the epitome of properness but lived much more, shall we say, colorful lives.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry for sharing. I’m sure you would rather be hearing about anything else.”
“Don’t assume that,” he said. “I confessed my plans for this trip. We are friends, correct?”
Diana’s eyes widened at his words. But Sebastian did believe they were friends or would be by the end of their leisure cruise. They may have started their relationship on the wrong footing but no more.
Her face lit up. “Perhaps we could help each other.”
He tilted his head and studied her. “How?”
“You can help me be less proper, and I can help you stay out of trouble.”
There was nothing wrong with Diana. He didn’t understand what she wanted. “What are you hoping to accomplish?”
She removed her hand from his arm and paced back and forth. He waited for her to formulate her thoughts. Finally, she smiled at him softly. “I’m the mother of a future duke and a highly respectable lady. In truth, I enjoy those things for the most part, but I want a reprieve to allow myself the luxury of doing something that isn’t what is expected of me.”
“You need to give me more details. You will receive no judgment from me, Diana.”
She was quiet for a moment and avoided making eye contact with him. Now, he was intrigued.
Sighing, Diana said, “Perhaps I am hoping for all the things you suspected. Not with you, of course. You need to mend your heart. But if I can feel something when you kiss me, maybe I can meet someone on this trip. A man I can have an interlude with.”
Sebastian was shocked. Diana wanted a lover—not him, but someone she was hoping to find during their journey.
She added, “I will likely be courted when I return from this trip. I would never consider such improperness if I were betrothed or married. It wouldn’t be fair to my suitor and eventual husband. Now is my only chance. Does that make me selfish?”
“Tremont is the suitor?”
Her gaze flew to his, and she blushed furiously but nodded. For some reason, he wanted to tell her marriage to the dull lord would bring her nothing but discontent, but he didn’t. The lords and ladies of thetonoften had loveless marriages. Still, the lady had known love with Hensley. Why was she settling? He reminded himself it wasn’t his concern, and perhaps she did have strong feelings for Tremont. He scowled. She wouldn’t be looking for a lover if that were the case.
