Page 32 of A Wanton Adventure
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Sebastian entered themain saloon and spied Diana sitting with her aunt and Mr. Spoor. Lady Clark must have ventured out after they left the dining saloon. Though their arrival at dinner interrupted his and Diana’s discussion, Sebastian enjoyed speaking with Spoor and Haggerty. They were friends who decided to join the cruise because Haggerty was a historian, and many of the ports were places he wanted to visit.
Spoor didn’t seem to have the same love of history. Currently, he appeared to be very fascinated by Diana’s aunt. The corners of Sebastian’s mouth tilted up as he watched Spoor stare at the older woman with unconcealed adoration. The woman didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps she was being coy.
His gaze shifted to Diana, and he perused her. Earlier, when she had entered the dining saloon, his body had instantly responded to her. What was it about the woman that tempted him so much? Tonight, her hair fell over her shoulder, plaited, giving her a carefree appearance. The vision stirred something within him. He clenched his hands as he watched her. He had an urge to wrap that braid in his fist while he—
“She fared better than I thought she would. She was one of the first ladies out of her cabin,” Captain Monroe said from behind him, watching Diana as well.
A flash of anger shot through him at the way Monroe studied her. “Do you need something?”
Monroe smirked at him. “I do. I must speak with you and the lady. We need to talk about the ports. Some of them we’ve never visited. Perhaps we should go ashore first and identify a few potential activities for Lady Hensley?”
A frown filled Sebastian’s face, knowing the lady would likely disagree with the captain’s advice. Sebastian wanted to speak with Diana alone tonight. Not for vice or the trip activities, but because he was curious and puzzled by her statement about being less her. “Let’s meet tomorrow. We are just getting acclimated to the ship.”
The man sighed. “Fine, but no later than that. Also, the weather deck is open for those interested in enjoying some fresh air this evening. The ocean is calm right now.”
Sebastian’s eyes darted over to the captain, but Monroe was already strolling towards a group of men playing cards. He moved towards Diana and bowed to both her and her aunt once he reached them. “May I join you? Or convince you ladies to join me for a promenade on the weather deck. It’s a calm night, and Captain Monroe gave the go-ahead if anyone would like to.”
Diana’s face lit up, but Lady Clark shook her head. “I barely made it out of my room. I don’t think I am ready to walk along the deck.”
Sadness flitted across Diana’s face, and her aunt smiled. “Go without me.”
Sebastian could tell by Diana’s expression that she was torn between doing what she liked and what was proper. She bit her lip, and he sensed she would decline. Disappointment shot through him.
Her aunt waved her away. “Go. Ship travel is different from all the events in London. There isn’t enough space, and there are too many people for such rigid rules. You will be fine. I’m sure Devons will see to that.”
Sebastian nodded. “There are plenty of people about. I wouldn’t lead you into trouble. Remember my promise from earlier.”
Diana laughed. “Well, how can I say no now?”
“You can’t,” her aunt said.
She stood and took Sebastian’s arm. Lady Clark winked at him as he escorted Diana away. He shook his head, wondering what was going on in the lady’s mind. They took the steps leading to the deck, and as they stepped out, Diana gasped. She tilted her face up to the sky, taking in the millions of stars stretching across the blackness.
The delight on her face took his breath away. Her mouth curved upwards as she glanced around. Diana turned back to him. “Isn’t it stunning? It’s almost as if someone or something took a handful of diamonds and threw them up into the darkness.”
He forced himself to look away from her euphoric face and stare up at the sky. Sebastian had to agree he’d never seen the stars so clearly. “You don’t see this in London.”
They were both silent as they stared out into the black void. The deck was empty and quiet besides the two of them and the few words they’d spoken. The waves lapped against the ship in a calming fashion. Shockingly, Sebastian felt at ease and content in a way he’d not expected. They were new feelings for him. His club and other businesses didn’t allow him to slow down.
His new emotions disappeared as Diana walked to the railing and peered over. Overwhelming fear filled Sebastian, and he had the protective urge to yank her back to him. He’d never been on a ship in the middle of the ocean, and it made him damn uncomfortable to watch her lean over the side.
She looked back at him and smiled. “It’s as if I’m staring into nothing. Come look.”
He grimaced. “Why don’t you come back here?”
Her lips turned up in a smirk. “Is the King of the Den afraid of the ocean?”
Sebastian stepped closer to her, even though, in truth, he was. Not for himself but for her. “Fear is a healthy emotion.”
Diana laughed. He held his arm out to her. “Please join me.”
She grinned at him. “As you wish.”
As they moved to the center of the deck, the tension in Sebastian subsided. Diana beamed at him. “Shall we return to the saloon?”
He shook his head. “Before we do, I wanted to know what you meant about being less you. You mentioned that earlier.”
