Page 15 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

R ose did everything in her power not to roll her eyes at Constables Jackson and Harris as they lectured the Historical Society for Female Curators board members on why the club should shut its doors.

All five ladies listened attentively, but thankfully, none seemed ready to agree to the men’s ridiculous suggestions.

“My ladies, you must consider your safety. This complicated work must be left to the men,” Constable Jackson admonished.

A snort escaped her then, and the constables glared at her. She returned the favor. “The attack had nothing to do with the fact that we wear petticoats.”

Constable Jackson balked at her mention of undergarments, but Rose didn’t care. His suggestion was absurd. He sputtered, “It isn’t right.”

Addie said, “Thank you, Constable. We will consider your advice.”

Rose’s eyes flitted to Addie incredulously. Constable Jackson and Harris nodded, seemingly appeased by her words.

“We will start an investigation on this, but based on priorities, it may take some time,” Constable Harris said.

“Don’t you already have an investigation going?” Diana asked.

Both men flushed. Constable Jackson stammered, “W-we were preparing one.”

Rose, Diana, Sarah, Esme, and Lisbeth all snorted. Constable Harris puffed out his chest. “We have important work to do.”

Addie darted a pointed look at all the ladies. She smiled at him. “Constable Harris, we understand that. Perhaps next week you can update us on what you find?”

The two constables stared at each other in silence. They would have nothing by next week, Rose deduced. She doubted they would have anything even in a month. Finally, Captain Harris said, “I will send word when we have something to share.”

“That would be wonderful. Please don’t let us keep you here. We realize your work is very important,” Addie said.

The men studied her, trying to determine if her words were meant as a jab, but she just smiled back at them. Eventually, they nodded and departed the board members’ office. Addie plopped into a chair. “That was a waste of time.”

“You were much too nice to them,” Rose accused.

Addie chuckled. “Sometimes charm works better than bluntness. Those men can start rumors about the club. We have been fortunate that the theft of the tablets hasn’t become a topic of gossip. I’m not sure we can keep the attack of you and a guard out of the newspaper.”

“I wasn’t attacked,” Rose insisted.

Lisbeth frowned at her. “You were chased out of the house, and luckily, you reached the street first. And the guard was attacked.”

Rose didn’t think the man was after her. That wasn’t his focus. “He wanted my bag. I believe whoever is behind this is looking for my notes and text analysis.”

“Why didn’t you tell the constables that?” Lisbeth asked.

“They would be utterly lost, and we would just receive another lecture on how our actions aren’t acceptable,” Sarah said with distaste.

Rose nodded. “That is why.”

Esme frowned. “Why would someone be after your work?”

They all sat, pondering the question. Sarah glanced at Addie. “Could it be tied to Lord Hawley?”

“No,” Addie said, defending her husband, surprising everyone. She flushed. “My husband is many things that I dislike, but a thief of someone else’s work is not one of them.”

Rose nodded again. “I agree. Lord Hawley made it publicly known he wanted to collaborate with me. Why would he steal my work?”

“Then who?” Diana asked.

She didn’t know. Her findings would be revolutionary to her and the antiquities field, but she doubted most scholars would attack a guard or attempt to steal them. “I’m at a complete loss.”

“I think it would be beneficial for you to stay away from Seely House for a few days. Hopefully, gossip won’t get out about what occurred,” Addie said.

“I have work to do.”

Lisbeth shot her an exasperated look. Diana said, “We want you to do that work, but I also agree that we need things to quiet down. What if you and Lisbeth joined me at a country estate party being hosted by the Marquess and Marchioness of Derry?”

“Who will search for the tablets?” Rose protested.

“Did Sinclair mention any more auctions?” Sarah asked.

The duke’s name caused her to flush. Her mind flashed back to their kiss. The blasted distracting man! “He is out of town for the next week.”

Diana nodded. “He is expected to attend the Derrys’ event. They are close friends.”

“Perfect,” Lisbeth said.

Rose didn’t think it was perfect—not at all. She didn’t like the duke. Well, she liked kissing him, but that was it. “Is this necessary?”

Addie stated, “I think it’s the best course of action. We will keep this between us.”

“I will need to tell Sebastian.”

Everyone agreed. Addie glanced at Rose. “Do you think we should tell Sinclair?”

She shrugged. “Why are you asking me?”

Lisbeth frowned at her. “Because he is helping us, and you are the primary person working with him.”

She sighed. “I will tell him at the estate party since it sounds like I must attend.”

*

Augustus entered the great hall of the Derry country estate with his mother and sister.

They both gasped at the beautiful stained-glass windows that lined the walls.

The glass depicted the tale of love between Psyche and Cupid.

He’d attended enough events at Derry’s estate to know the windows often put people in awe.

While it seemed odd for a man like Derry to have such a romantic depiction on his walls, it completely suited his wife Sophia. Over the years, Augustus had grown close to the couple and considered them dear friends. They also partnered on several investments that required them to meet frequently.

At one point, he’d once considered wooing Sophia, but he stopped when he realized that her heart belonged to Derry. Still, he liked to flirt with her to annoy her husband. He smiled. Derry didn’t find it amusing at all.

“You never mentioned how beautiful Derry Hall was,” his mother stated.

He chuckled. “I wanted you to be surprised.”

Willa looped her arm through his. She grinned. “Even my unromantic self loves this massive room.”

“Lady Derry told me that the original marquess built it for a woman he loved but couldn’t marry.”

“It’s true! Isn’t it romantic?” Sophia said from a doorway at the back of the hall.

She reached them and curtsied. Sinclair snorted, not used to such formality from her. She gave him a pointed look before beaming at his mother. “Your Grace, it is lovely to have you attend our event.”

His mother smiled. “Thank you for the invitation.”

Sophia nodded and then squeezed Willa’s hand. “I’m glad you could finally visit me here, my friend.”

Willa grinned. “You promised the hall would enchant me, and you were correct.”

She beamed. “Please follow me. All my other guests are on the terrace.”

Willa released his arm, and he offered it to Sophia as they made their way through the large Manor house. His petite friend said, “I’m so excited you’re here. We have so many lovely ladies visiting.”

He stopped in his tracks as his mother and sister giggled behind them. He frowned at Sophia. “I don’t want to be set up.”

She opened her eyes wide and patted his arm. “Of course not, but you never know. Maybe fate will intervene.”

He snorted. “You mean you .”

Sophia shook her head. “Never.”

They stepped out on the terrace, and Sinclair grimaced. The area was filled with far more ladies than men. He suspected most of them were single. His eyes bounced between his mother and Sophia. “Why do I feel like I’ve been set up?”

His mother smiled smugly at him. “Just enjoy yourself. I think I see Lady Everett.”

The woman who had given birth to him strolled off, and he frowned at his sister and Sophia. “You are both traitors.”

Sophia pouted. “That isn’t very kind, Sinclair.”

“If I stole you from Derry, I wouldn’t be dealing with this right now.”

His friend giggled. “Impossible. The heart wants what the heart wants.”

Willa grinned. “I think I will join, Mother.”

Sinclair glanced around, looking for a way out. Where was her husband? “Is Derry in the billiards room? I will join him.”

“I love that idea, but first, we are going to greet all these ladies,” Sophia said, placing her arm on his.

He sighed but nodded, knowing arguing with her was futile. First, Sophia stopped in front of Lady Melanie. She was a quiet, petite young woman with blonde hair. They discussed the weather as she fluttered her eyelashes at him bashfully.

Next was the widowed Lady Tinsley. She smiled at him coyly before emphasizing that she had managed to bear two children during her short two-year marriage. Sinclair understood; she was made for birthing babies. He tugged at his cravat, needing a stronger drink than the punch the ladies sipped.

“I’m about to flee,” he whispered to Sophia.

“One more. I think you’ll like her.”

He sighed, and his friend escorted him to a woman with black hair wearing a striking blue dress. Sophia said, “Your Grace, may I introduce you to Lady Viviene. She loves history almost as much as you.”

Lady Viviene beamed at him but without the fluttering eyelashes or the coyness. Curtsying, she said, “Your Grace, I’ve heard you have a vast collection of artifacts and antiquities.”

He stared at her, taken in by her clear, direct gaze. Perhaps this lady could be an option. Augustus had promised his mother he would at least try. “I’m an avid collector. Is there a time period you are most interested in?”

She beamed. “All of them, but if there is a region or a period I should explore, I would love to learn more. I would be honored to hear your opinions.”

Lady Viviene was certainly fetching. Having a wife he could teach about such things would be nice. The lady added, “I’ve heard few can rival your knowledge.”

A snort tore his gaze away from the lovely lady’s blue eyes.

They landed on a slender brunette who had been nothing but an annoyance to him since he met her.

What was Rose Calvert doing here? Regardless of how annoying he found her, his eyes still roamed over her.

She was a mess in a rumpled periwinkle frock and her brownish-red curls sprang from her elaborate coiffure wildly.

Yet, his body hummed, thinking of their kiss.

Augustus should focus on the ladies he just met.

It wasn’t lost on him that two were young women his mother had mentioned before.

This, indeed, was a setup by his family and his friend.

He shouldn’t be distracted by the scholar smirking at him.

Still, it annoyed Augustus to have her watch him while he assessed and was assessed by the ladies on the marriage mart.

She’d observed his whole exchange with the young women and clearly wasn’t impressed.

“Your Grace?” Lady Viviene said.

Augustus wouldn’t give a damn about what Rose thought about his conversation.

It was none of her business. She’d made it quite clear any interest beyond their poorly decided kiss wouldn’t happen.

“If Lady Derry is fine with me stealing you away, perhaps we could stroll around the terrace and discuss various time periods.”

“Please do. I need to speak with my husband about something anyway,” Sophia said.

He held out his arm, and Lady Viviene took it. She beamed up at him. Yes, this lady and he would suit. Still, as he walked, his eyes drifted to Rose. Their gazes met, and she outrageously stuck her tongue out at him. Inwardly, he glowered. The woman was a nuisance.