Page 95 of A Wanton Adventure
Diana had made her choice. It wasn’t gossip but fact. He knew he shouldn’t be angry, but he was furious. He took a deep breath. “Can you please let Lady Hensley know I called on her?”
Her eyes raked over him, her mouth twisting in distaste. Sebastian stared back at her, unflinching. Finally, she looked away. “I will let her know.”
Later in the evening, Sebastian sat in the main hall of the Den. He was drunk but happy. He didn’t need anyone. Just this club. He’d killed himself making this the most prestigious gentlemen’s club in all of London. Fuck love! He took another sip of his brandy when Celeste appeared before him.
“We have a meeting, Devons. Can you please follow me?”
He took another sip of his brandy. “I don’t remember a meeting. Change it to tomorrow.”
She fixed him with a glare. “Now, Devons.”
“Oh…you have done it now,” a lord said.
While he had been away Celeste had done well as the host of the Den. The men who frequented the establishment regarded her with a mixture of fear, awe, and adoration. Sebastian shouldn’t be surprised by her success. She’d excelled at managing the tables. He didn’t want anyone to think he didn’trespect her or her position, so he followed her without another word, causing more laughter.
They made their way up the stairs to the office spaces, passing hers and entering his. He stepped in behind her, running his fingers through his hair. She pointed to his seat at his desk, motioning for him to sit.
Sighing, he plopped into his chair, suspecting he was going to get a lecture. She was quiet for a moment but eventually said, “You told me when I started here we were not to be drunk around the guests. Drinking was fine as long as we could do it without becoming slushy.”
“Your point?”
“You’re drunk.”
She wasn’t wrong. He’d been drunk since this afternoon. He could lie, but he didn’t. “You are correct. I won’t go back downstairs.”
She nodded. “I think that would be best.”
“You have done an excellent job here, Celeste. I’m proud of you.”
Her cheeks turned a rosy color at the compliment. He chuckled. “Say thank you.”
She sighed. “Thank you.”
Celeste had done so well that Sebastian decided he wanted her to take on a permanent role as host. “I know you think I’m in my cups, but I would like to speak with you about making your role as host more permanent. Not every night but a few nights a week.”
She stared at him in shock but then frowned, shaking her head. “We will talk tomorrow.”
He laughed, knowing she wanted him to remember what he was talking about. “As long as you say yes, tomorrow is fine.”
She smiled and walked to the door but turned back, frowning. “Are you all right?”
He sighed. “Of course.”
She studied him. “I have never seen you get so drunk with our guests.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“But—”
“Good night, Celeste.”
She sighed. “Good night, Devons.”
Chapter Thirty
Diana made herway up the stairs to her desk in the Seely House. She smiled, still amazed she was a board member of the Historical Society for Female Curators. Stuart would have been delighted that she was part of this effort. As she entered the office, she came to an abrupt stop. Sebastian sat with Addie and Lisbeth in the sitting area, looking at a letter.
The package in her hands fell to the ground, causing them to glance at her. Diana flushed. Sebastian picked the package up and handed it back to her. She studied his face. He smiled, but it was a smile one would use when acknowledging someone they barely knew. It gutted her. “Diana.”
