Page 65 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“How exciting.”
Aylesworth nodded. “I’m looking forward to my return. The research fascinates me.”
“I can well imagine.”
“I have some matters to attend to in London, but I will travel to Athens by the end of the year.”
“What I would not give to bring my camera to such a site.”
“That might be arranged. Our team could utilize your talents to document our discoveries.”
“Oh, don’t tease me so cruelly,” she said lightly. “I cannot imagine that I might take part in such an expedition.”
“Miss Mason, I am quite serious.” A thin smile played on his mouth. “A photographer of your ability would be vital to chronicle the excavation.” His brow furrowed. “Of course, you would need a traveling companion.”
“I imagine Nell would be excited to take part in the journey.”
Glancing over at her friend—who had moved on from her buccaneer to flirt with Finn’s American acquaintance—he shook his head. “I am thinking of someone in their maturity, an older woman with experience in the field.”
“Of course. I do understand.” Macie said. “I must say, the very thought of documenting an antiquities exploration is quite exciting. Perhaps I shall pursue a journey.”
“I hope you will consider it.”
“You’ve definitely given me something to think about.” Glancing over Mr. Aylesworth’s shoulder, she spotted Finn as he made his way through the crush.
“You would be a true asset,” Aylesworth said, slanting Finn a glance.
She flashed a brief smile. “It would be the adventure of a lifetime.”
Finn acknowledged Professor Aylesworth with a curt nod. “I hadn’t expected to see the likes of ye here.”
“I might say the same, Caldwell. Who twisted your arm to suffer through a masquerade?”
Finn’s gaze lit on Macie. “Only Miss Mason would be capable of such a feat.”
“But at least my pride is intact.” He shot Aylesworth an assessing glance. “Buffalo Bill, eh?”
“Something like that.” Aylesworth tipped his overly large hat. “I borrowed this gargantuan thing from a colleague. I’ve no idea why he would have such a garment, but it was preferable to my first idea.”
“And what was that? An intrepid explorer?” Macie asked.
He shook his head. “Tossing a blasted sheet over my head and traipsing about as a ghost.”
“You might have used the sheet as a toga,” Macie suggested.
“Clever.” Aylesworth said with an appealing grin.
Given the look on Finn’s face, he did not agree with Macie’s suggestion. “I, for one, commend ye for yer decision not to subject us to the sight of yer bony arms,” he said.
Aylesworth smirked. “I might’ve forgone the costume entirely. As you did.”
“I’ll have ye know Iamin costume.” Finn tugged at his lapels. “A tragic villain if ever there was one.”
Aylesworth turned to Macie. “He’s serious?”
“Indeed,” she said. “You might say he’s quite mad.”
“A mad scientist?” Aylesworth plopped the hat back onto his head. “Victor Frankenstein, I presume. Or perhaps the sinister professor who predicted I would never succeed in the field?”
