Page 90 of A Translation of Desire
Derry nodded in agreement.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Rose made herway to the drawing room in Augustus’s house. He’d left early this morning, mentioning a meeting with Hawley. Rose wanted to go, but the scholar requested that he come alone. He promised to tell her anything the man said.
Mary and Willa left after that, mentioning that a dressmaker needed Willa’s measurements for several gown purchases. Augustus’s sister didn’t seem happy about it. Rose was alone in their massive house, which was indeed strange. Her mouth tilted up in amusement.
Well, not exactly alone. Between the guards and servants, Augustus seemed to employ a small army. Nowhere in this house was anyone genuinely alone. As she turned into the room, she stumbled to a stop. A beautiful lady sat on the sofa—it was Lady Gillings.
The woman turned, and Rose was taken aback by how she truly personified the perfect lady. Her soft pink dress fit her perfectly, and her hair was tied up in delicate loops and curls—none out of place. Rose shifted, uncomfortable with her own rumbled state. The maid had wanted to do something extravagant with her hair, but she’d asked for something more simple. Her dress was one she wore while she was working on her research.
Lady Gilling’s face lit up when she spotted Rose, making her seem even more charming. Rose wanted to dislike her butsuspected that this woman was not only the perfect lady but also kind.
“Are you Miss Calvert?”
Rose nodded, and the woman beamed at her. “I attended your recent talk during the grand opening of the Historical Society for Female Curators.”
She forced herself to smile. “Thank you.”
The lady’s delicate nose wiggled, and her brows furrowed. “Are you here to see the Duchess of Sinclair or Lady Willa as well?”
A flush crept across Rose’s cheeks. No, she was actually tupping the duke. She didn’t say that, though. She shook her head and said, “I’m staying with them for a few days.”
Surprise flitted across Lady Gillings’s face, and Rose added, “It’s a long story.”
The lady beamed, “Would you join me? I’m waiting for the duchess and Willa to return. The butler said they should be back shortly.”
Rose didn’t want to but had no reason to refuse. She nodded and moved to the sitting area. A servant entered with tea and a plate of sweets. Lady Gillings thanked them and then served them each tea, not spilling a drop. Rose found herself hoping she would spill the tea across the table, but she didn’t. Of course, someone raised to be a duchess wouldn’t do something so gauche. Her stomach clenched at the thought.
“Have you known the Sinclairs your whole life, Lady Gillings?”
She smiled. “Please call me Catherine. And yes, even my first memories involve them. Augustus, Willa, their land steward’s son, and I all used to run through the fields together. Our family’s primary country estates border each other. I hope to spend more time in the area this year.”
Rose didn’t know what she disliked most, Augustus’s given name rolling off her tongue or that the lady would be around him more. Still, it wasn’t this woman’s fault that Rose had fallen for the duke. “It sounds like an idyllic childhood.”
Catherine smiled. “It was. I’m excited for my children to spend more time at my parents’ country estate. They’ve visited but only for brief trips.”
“I’m sure they will enjoy it.”
Her smile disappeared. “Yes, I love our home up north, but I worry there is too much sadness there right now. I want my children to have a reprieve from it. I’ve just come out of mourning.”
The woman’s pain was still evident; even though Rose was jealous of the lady, sadness filled her. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Catherine took a deep and said, “I promised my husband I would not allow myself to waste away, so I will not.”
Augustus could make her happy, Rose thought. They’d been in love once. They could easily fall for each other again. Her eyes roamed over the lady ideally suited to be a duchess. The ache in her heart intensified because the more she sat with Catherine, the more ridiculous she felt about a potential life with Augustus.
The lady sighed and stood. “I think I will try another day. I should have sent word first but figured they would be home at this hour.”
Rose stood. “I’m sorry you could not visit with them or the duke.”
Catherine laughed. “I didn’t expect to see Augustus. He’s always been such a busy man. I’m sure we will run into each other eventually.”
Rose nodded, and the woman smiled. “Though he seems to have more interest in antiquities than I’ve ever remembered.”
She smiled, and Catherine waved goodbye. After her departure, Rose sank back down onto the sofa. A tear slid downher cheek because as much as it hurt, Rose knew she’d met the woman who was supposed to be Augustus’s duchess.
Rose let the tears fall freely, allowing herself to grieve the loss of someone she wanted so badly. When they stopped, she stood. It was time to go back to Lisbeth’s. She would finish her business in London and depart for good. She’d done as her father asked and participated in part of the Season.
