Page 98 of A Translation of Desire
Lisbeth frowned at him. “Did he tell you that?”
Rose flushed. “Of course not, but she will make a fine duchess.”
“I know Lady Gillings. She would, indeed, make a wonderful duchess, but something tells me that Sinclair wouldn’t havewaited this long if that was what he was looking for. There are plenty of ladies every year on the marriage mart who are destined to be exceptional hostesses and wives.”
Rose smiled sadly at her. “She is his first love. The only woman he has ever cared for, and she is free.”
“How do you know he doesn’t love you?”
Lisbeth’s question seemed absurd. It wasn’t about love but what would work best for Augustus’s life. “We don’t suit.”
“The man looks at you like he is madly in love and would ensure your happiness.”
Rose confessed, “I would hate for him to commit himself to me and then regret his choice. I’m no duchess, and he has never left England.”
The duchess pursed her lips together. “Don’t give me excuses. Do you love him or not? Answer the question.”
“I do,” she said, needing to tell someone the truth.
“Running away will not make the emotions disappear. Trust me, I know,” Lisbeth said.
Rose did not doubt that her thoughts were on Thomas. Still, she shook her head. “A marriage between us would be complicated.”
“No relationship is easy. You will regret not sharing your true feelings with him before your ship docks in Tuscany.”
“I met Lady Gillings while I was staying at Augustus’s house. He and his family were out, but we had a cup of tea together,” Rose confessed.
Lisbeth lifted a brow. “Your point?”
“All I could think about was how well she fit in his drawing room. She was perfect.”
Fire flared in the duchess’s eyes. “Did she say something cruel to you?”
Rose shook her head. “No, she was so kind. It made me realize that long-term, she is his match.”
“Rose, you are smarter than this.”
She might be, but she understood how much Augustus valued his duties. She could never ask him to desert any of that. Nodding, she said, “Perhaps, but it is my choice.”
*
A few dayslater, a lady whispered from behind a hedge, “Sinclair, come here.”
He glanced to his left and spied Sophia hiding in the flora. He rolled his eyes. “What are you doing?”
“This garden party is dreadful.”
They were both at Lady Maisly’s event. “Where is your husband?”
She wrinkled her nose in annoyance. “He said something came up with one of his business dealings. Lies. Lies. He is likely playing with the twins, happy as can be.”
Augustus let out a loud snicker, and Sophia shushed him. He sighed. “Why did you decide to come?”
“Because it is the right thing to do.”
He raised a brow.
“Lady Maisly, even when I was quite scandalous, has always been nice to me. Still, I don’t enjoy most of her friends.”
