Page 58 of A Translation of Desire
He frowned. “I will take you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I travel by hacks all the time. It will look less strange when I arrive back at Lisbeth’s townhouse. The servants will assume I just left early to do research.”
He didn’t seem to like it but nodded begrudgingly. Bending down, he gave her one more kiss before dressing and leaving to arrange her ride. Rose sat down and sighed. She’d fallen into quite a mess. The feelings she had for the duke were too much. Yet, she’d endure them if she had one more night with him.
A crazy part of her wondered if perhaps she could be a duchess. What was she thinking? Rose deciphered ancient text. She knew nothing about being a society lady. A scowl spread across her face as she hated the thought of wishing to be anyone but herself. She wasn’t a woman who had such thoughts, and certainly not for a man.
Later in the early morning, Rose arrived back at Lisbeth’s townhouse and was grateful that the staff assumed she’d been conducting research at Seely House. Augustus had said he would send word once he arranged a meeting with Lord Hawley. He was very certain Hawley would have helpful information. Rose wasn’t so sure.
She closed her eyes and envisioned Augustus trailing kisses down her body. She truly had no regrets about anything that happened between them. What frustrated Rose right now was that her heart, at some point, had decided that she really liked Augustus, not just liked but cared for him—no, she wouldn’t say the word! She was fooling herself; the word caring was nowhere close to describing her feelings towards the duke.
The butler stepped through the doorway. “Miss Calvert, a letter from abroad arrived for you.”
She rose, excited, wondering if it was from her father. Morrison handed it to her and departed. She read the scrawl on the front and knew it was from Thomas. Excitement coursedthrough her. Maybe he’d found the other tablets. She sat on the sofa and opened the envelope, pulling out the letter to read.
Rose,
I still haven’t found the tablets. Apparently, there are stories that the last two tablets were hidden in a system of caves. There are too many tunnels to search them all. A man from one of the local villages told me that a map of the caves exists, which contains details on where the tablets may be located. Unfortunately, but perhaps not for you, the London Society of Antiquaries acquired it years ago, along with other artifacts from the ancient city of Palmyra. Perhaps your club can reach out to them? I hope you haven’t decided to marry. That would mean I would have to travel to London. You know how much I hate that city.
Thomas
This was both fantastic and awful news. They may actually have a chance to complete the epic. It would be the first ancient epic ever fully deciphered. But the London Society of Antiquaries detested Addie’s club. She would need to speak with all the board members. Perhaps they could arrange a meeting with Lord Hawley to see if he could help.
She frowned. Augustus may be right. All paths to any of the tablets seemed to always lead back to Lord Hawley. Why was that? Moving to the desk in the corner, she sat and started writing a missive to Augustus. Excitement thrummed through her. Yes, it was a long shot that the London Society of Antiquaries even had the map and, if they did, knew where it was, but it was still a chance.
She looked down at her note to Augustus, requesting a meeting with him, and frowned. Why was she excited to sharethis news with him? She suspected that even if she didn’t need to speak with him, he would be the first person she’d want to share anything with. Rose shook her head and insisted that this wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.
*
Augustus’s eyes wandered,looking for Rose, but she didn’t appear to be attending Sophia’s garden party. A sigh escaped his lips. He would probably see her next when they met with Lord Hawley. He’d sent Rose a note this morning saying it had been arranged.
A young lord bumped into him and blanched when he recognized Augustus. “I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
“It’s very crowded. It couldn’t be helped.”
The man nodded, reassured that he wasn’t upset. Augustus wasn’t lying. The townhouse’s gardens were packed. Sophia and Derry had certainly become quite the social butterflies.
“Augustus, are you listening?” Willa asked.
He wasn’t. Smiling, he said, “I’m sorry. I’m proving to be a rather awful escort today.”
“Are you looking for someone?” she asked, intrigued.
He flushed but instinctively shook his head. “Of course not.”
She leaned in. “Maybe that scholar from Derry’s country estate party?”
The red covering his skin deepened. He frowned at her, and Willa giggled. Turning the tables on her, he asked, “What about you?”
She glared at him. “We aren’t talking about me.”
Still, he was curious. Why was his sister so sure she would never marry? “You don’t think you will ever find someone?”
Willa was quiet as Augustus drew them to a stop, waiting. Concern flared within him, and he tamped it down, knowing that if he voiced it, Willa would only become annoyed.
“Mother and Father had a love match. I want that or nothing, and I have yet to come close to feeling that way about anyone in London society.”
He studied her silently, and she frowned at him. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m content by myself and happy not to be forced to marry like you.
