Page 59 of A Translation of Desire
Augustus nodded, and Willa said, “I hope you find love.”
He wasn’t sure if that was possible for him. His mind flitted to Rose. A woman who needed no one and certainly not a duke. Yet, he’d never felt more connected to a person. He shrugged. “My priority is the estate and you and our mother.”
Willa’s mouth flattened into a frown. “You do know that it doesn’t always have to be you carrying everything. Mother and I can help.”
“It is my responsibility. Society would not look kindly on me for shirking my duties.”
An unladylike snort escaped his sister. “Society doesn’t care as long as you are a duke. There are plenty of lords who treat their titles and estates abominably. And I’m not telling you to let them fall apart. I’m simply explaining, again, that Mother and I are more than capable of helping you.”
It is an unconventional idea, Augustus thought. Yet when he looked into her eyes, he spied real interest. “Are you interested in helping run the estate from a business standpoint, more than you already are?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Perhaps.”
His sister was trying to appear indifferent, but it wasn’t working. “Willa?”
“I know it is unconventional—”
“I don’t care what it looks like to society. Are you interested?”
She took a deep breath. “Yes. I’m better with numbers than you and actually enjoy working on the ledgers. I’ve reviewed some of the finances for the various properties entailed to thetitle. There are changes we could make to improve our revenue and that of our tenants.
How had he missed this interest his sister had? Of course, it was because he spent all his spare time focused on his import business. His face must have revealed his thoughts because Willa shook her head. “Don’t do that. I know what you are thinking. I’m not trying to make you feel bad, but I want to explain that I can be of assistance.”
He nodded. “You are right. Let’s make a plan to discuss it in greater detail.
A large, beaming smile broke across his sister’s face.
“Excuse me, Lady Willa, may I steal your brother for a moment?”
He and his sister turned to Sophia. He sighed, and their hostess frowned at him with mock outrage. “How unbecoming, Your Grace.”
“Do you want to introduce me to a bunch of ladies?”
She winked at Willa before turning back to him. “Perhaps.”
Willa giggled. “I find myself suddenly parched. Excuse me.”
Augustus frowned at his sister’s retreating figure. He held his arm out to Sophia.
She took it, and they walked around the crowded gardens. Eventually, she said, “Lady Gillings is in London and will attend some of the Season’s events.”
Augustus stumbled slightly. Catherine had finally arrived in the city, as his mother had predicted. He’d known she was planning to spend time in London this Season, but it disconcerted him knowing she was truly here. She was his first love. He waited for the same dull ache that always appeared when he thought of Catherine, but it never came.
Sophia asked, “Will you see her?”
He shook his head. “I don’t plan to.”
An amused expression filled his friend’s face. He frowned at her. “What is it?”
“You are smitten with Rose Calvert.”
He stumbled slightly at her words, and his frown turned to a glare. “Of course not.”
She frowned and put her hands on her hips. “Why must you lie to me?”
“I’m a duke with responsibilities that would bore her within days.”
Sophia stopped and lifted a brow. “You are a duke, which means you can do whatever you like. It is you who chooses to live the way society dictates.
