Page 38 of A Wanton Adventure
His mouth tilted up, and his eyes roamed over her. “Excitement and travel suits you.”
Heat rushed to Diana’s cheeks.
“I’m not flirting with you. I’m simply making an observation,” he added.
His compliment filled her with so much happiness that she had to remind herself he could be no more than a friend. She wanted a liaison but not one with someone nursing a broken heart. “You are too kind.”
His smile turned into a smirk, and for a moment, Diana suspected his thoughts were not innocent. “Kind might not be the appropriate description.”
“Devons,” she scolded.
He sighed and changed the subject. “Where is your aunt? Is she unwell?”
Diana nodded to where Aunt Winifred, a recovered Audrey, and Mr. Spoor stood, watching sailors prepare the ship so they could all disembark.
“I wanted to say thank you for not siding with Captain Monroe. I need him to see me as capable of making itineraries for ladies interested in a leisure cruise.”
“I know nothing about what interests a lady when it comes to travel,” Devons said and then winked. “That isn’t my expertise.”
She blushed again and he chuckled. What was it about Sebastian Devons? Why was the man so handsome? No, that wasn’t the right word. He was sinfully intoxicating. She turned redder. His eyes raked over her before looking away to stare at the port activity.
“You are a shameless flirt, Mr. Devons. How will I keep women away from you?”
“You have done an exceptional job so far,” he said, turning back to face her.
She snorted. “There are ten women on theLark, and one is my aunt and the other is my lady’s maid. I don’t think I have done anything at all.”
“Are you suggesting, I’m going to step off this ship and women will flock to me? Am I that appealing?”
She let her eyes wander over him. Diana had no doubt that Devons knew he made a dashing figure in his tweed jacket and hat. A glint formed in his eyes and Diana realized he was enjoying her perusal. A warmth spread across her stomach andfurther down her body. No! She would not think about Devons in this way.
“I won’t give your ego a boost by flattering you.”
He leaned in a breath from her ear and murmured. “You already have.”
Before she could say more, they were interrupted by the arrival of her aunt. “Mr. Haggerty is on the deck. Mr. Spoor has gone to fetch him for you.”
Diana stepped away from Devons as if they had been doing something much more than talking. He smiled at her and the warmth flowing through her body intensified. She reassured herself it would pass.
Later in the day, after disembarking, Diana, Devons, her aunt, Mr. Spoor, and Audrey followed Mr. Haggerty as he was guided by a Monsieur Benard through the cobblestone streets to the one church in the village. The man had met them at the dock and said for a small fee, he would take them anywhere they like.
Diana ran her hand along a stone building as they walked. While the buildings weren’t grand or opulent, they had been picturesque to see as they arrived in port. Diana spied the top of the church. She was delighted that Mr. Haggerty had invited them to join him. He’d been happy they were interested in the manuscripts.
She glanced back to see Devons in the back of their merry group of travelers, making sure no one was falling behind. Not only was he intoxicating but also considerate. The man was too much. He was made up of so many contradictions. Though, Diana supposed one could be roguish and decent. She smiled at the thought.
Monsieur Bernard halted, startling her. He spun around to face them. “L’église.”
“What did he say?” Aunt Winifred said, sounding winded.
“The church,” Sebastian drawled.
Diana’s eyes darted to him, and he smirked. “You aren’t the only one who knows French, my lady.”
“It’s calledChapelle Dom Michel,” Mr. Haggerty said. “Please wait here while I talk with the priest. I want to make sure he is comfortable having so many visitors.”
Aunt Winifred fanned herself. “I’m parched. Perhaps, I could convince you, Mr. Spoor, to accompany me to one of theserestaurateursinstead of reviewing the manuscripts.”
Mr. Spoor nodded. “I would be delighted, my lady.”
