Page 3 of A Translation of Desire
Rose giggled and glanced down at her leather boots and men’s trousers. Yes, she imagined London wasn’t quite ready for Rose Calvert, explorer and antiquarian.
*
London, England– late September 1850
Augustus, the ninthDuke of Sinclair, ran his hands through his hair as he watched his mother pace back and forth in the family library. She’d called this meeting, insisting it was an emergency. No emergency existed. His mother was frustrated that he’d reached the age of thirty-five without finding a bride. He glancedat his bluestocking sister Willa, who, at twenty-seven, wasn’t married either, but she also wasn’t the duke.
Willa grinned at him. Augustus would speak with her later. She normally acted as his buffer during his mother’s rampages regarding his bachelor state. Today, the traitor hadn’t even warned him.
“Augustus, I have been a patient mother.”
He raised a brow, and she glowered at him. “I have.”
“Mother, I’m looking.”
“You are getting older every year.”
He smiled, amused. “That is how aging works.”
“I know you think all of this is silly, but you are reaching an age at which it is unacceptable to be unwed. People will begin to wonder what’s wrong with you.”
Willa snickered, and her mother’s eyes swung to her. “You are no better. None of my children are married. I will die without ever having grandchildren.”
His sister flushed. “Augustus will eventually wed.”
Long ago, Augustus promised Willa he would never force her to marry. His mother had been furious, but he had no regrets. If she found a husband at some point, he would be happy for her. If she didn’t, she would have plenty of money to live well.
He didn’t want his mother harping on Willa, so he said, “I will try my best this year.”
His mother studied him, trying to determine if he was being truthful. The legendary Duchess of Sinclair seemed skeptical. She and his father married at a young age and had been very in love. Augustus guessed it frustrated her that he and Willa hadn’t found something similar.
“There are several new ladies on the marriage mart this Season. Lady Vivienne, daughter of Lord Baston, is rumored to be beautiful and possess impeccable ladylike qualities. And thenthere is Lady Melanie, who may also be a good match. Her father enjoys antiquities almost as much as you.”
Augustus had sold Lord Carlyle multiple historic items and knew he had no clue about such things. The lord bought antiquities, so he had something to boast about. He grimaced. “How old are they?”
She frowned at him. “Both are eighteen.”
A groan escaped him. The duchess placed her hands on her hips. “That is an acceptable age for a bride.”
“I’m almost twice their age.”
“What do you expect me to say, Augustus? Whose fault is it that you waited so long? You must marry someone who can carry children. She needs to be no older than twenty-five.”
Willa’s eyebrows shot up. He stood and poured himself a brandy, deciding he earned one.
“Mother, women over twenty-five can bear children,” Willa pointed out.
Horror filled their mother’s face. Augustus suspected she’d just remembered her own daughter was past that age.
“Of course, they can, but for your brother, we must do everything possible to ensure that there will be an heir.”
His sister looked as if she wanted to laugh. Augustus doubted she was offended. He wasn’t sure he’d ever heard Willa talk about children. While he suspected Willa wanted to marry, he didn’t think she would unless it was a love match. Their parents’ deep devotion to each other had ruined any chance that Augustus or Willa would marry for practical reasons.
Augustus wasn’t looking for a great love, but at least someone he liked and who didn’t just see his title.
“What is missing in the plethora of ladies you meet every Season?” his mother asked.
“Yes, Augustus, what is it?” his sister teased.
