Page 67 of A Translation of Desire
Guffaws escaped Addie and a few others in the room. The man, of course, had no such thing. His face turned a purplish color. “I do not, but I believe the London Society of Antiquaries should have a final review of your findings.”
Rose actually favored what this man suggested, but she detested his tone and the insinuation that she and the Historical Society of Female Curators were somehow incompetent.
“Don’t fret, Harston. Miss Calvert and I have already agreed to share our work. She will review my key, and I will review hers,” Lord Hawley said from another spot in the back of the room.
Surprise flickered across Addie’s face that her husband was at another of the club’s events. Rose wasn’t so shocked by his support of her work or the all-women’s club. He smiled at Rose and said, “I look forward to partnering on the research.”
Rose nodded. “As do I.”
Harston seemed to lose his bluster and sat back down. Rose suspected they were definitely not receiving the map from him. She continued with her talk, answering any questions thrown at her.
Finally, Addie said, “We will stop there. Miss Calvert will be in the exhibit hall if you have further questions. Please join us there, and thank you for attending our grand opening.”
The attendees applauded loudly. After it died down, Addie nodded to the two men positioned by the closed double doors leading to the hall where all the artifacts were on display, waiting to be viewed. They threw the doors open with a flourish. Rose had no doubt that Addie had made them practice their dramatic door opening.
She glanced at Lisbeth, who rolled her eyes. The crowd rose and began to make their way in. A few people stayed behind to ask her questions, but eventually, the room emptied. Looking around, she wondered if Augustus had left as well. She saw him standing off to the side, waiting for her, and joy bloomed in her heart. He hadn’t gone with Lady Gillings. She smiled as she approached him, and he quietly applauded her.
“Fantastic job.”
“Thank you. Would you escort me into the exhibit hall?”
He grimaced. “I need to attend to something, but I will join you shortly. I just wanted to tell you how impressed and amazed I was by your speech.”
Lady Gillings stood at the doorway’s opening, not watching them but clearly waiting. The ache in her chest intensified. So, he did still care for her. Rose would not be upset. She forced a smile. “Of course.”
He stepped closer. “I don’t think you understand how damn proud of you I am.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “That means a great deal to me.”
He grinned down at her, and their connection hummed, leaving Rose confused. Augustus added in a whisper, “I will return shortly. I promise.”
She watched him leave and forced herself not to ponder what was about to happen with him and Lady Gillings. No matter what, Rose and Augustus were not meant to be together forever. She couldn’t be hurt if their interlude were to end.
*
Augustus stepped outinto the garden of Seely House with Catherine. He’d been prepared to run into her at some point, but he didn’t expect it to be here. It had been years since they last saw each other. They stopped at a bench, and she sat while he remained standing. Even at thirty-one, she was still breathtaking. Still, sadness lurked in her eyes.
“I’m glad you are out and about, Catherine.”
A small smile flitted across her face. “I promised my husband when he was sick that I would not stay in mourning longer than two years.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
She didn’t say anything at first, but eventually, a sigh escaped her lips. “I still miss him dreadfully.”
He nodded. The rawness of her loss still emanated from her being. “Why did you want to speak with me?”
“My mother wanted me to see you. She has been hounding me to arrange a visit, something to do with her belief that we would still have a strong connection.”
But we do not, Augustus thought. He felt nothing right now. He didn’t feel the pain from losing her so long ago, or excited that she was free again. Maybe a little sadness at her very apparent grief.
He didn’t want to hurt her if she did, but his feelings as a boy no longer existed. He glanced to the large windows, where he spotted Rose inside chatting with someone. She beamed, and he found himself wishing he were by her side. Still, he asked Catherine, “Do you think we do?”
“No.”
Relief washed over him. He didn’t want to hurt his old friend. A soft giggle burst from her, followed by a louder one. Augustus lifted a brow. “Why do you seem relieved?”
She composed herself. “My mother was so certain we would instantly connect. She seemed to think that I would see you and my grief would suddenly disappear. Truthfully, even though I’ve been in London for a while, I’ve been apprehensive about visiting you.”
