Page 25 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

R ose opened her eyes and saw that the fire in the fireplace was still burning.

She glanced up at the square windows high up on one of the bedchamber’s walls.

They revealed a sky turning from black to a multitude of colors.

It would be light out soon. Rose needed to leave.

She studied the sleeping form next to her, taking pleasure in the sight of a content and sated Augustus.

Longing unfurled in her heart. She itched to lay her head on his chest. What was she thinking? Augustus wasn’t for her. Once again, she considered telling him about Lady Gillings, but decided against it. They traveled in the same circles. He would eventually find out.

Would they see each other again? Of course, they would, she answered herself, but still, she wondered if she would get the chance to spend more time in his arms. Probably not after he realized Lady Gillings was in town.

A sharp pain shot through her. She would not get emotional about this man.

From the very beginning, she knew all they could ever have was an interlude. He was a bloody duke, after all.

His eyes fluttered open, and her stomach dipped when he smiled at her. He pulled her down on his chest. “You aren’t leaving, are you?”

Rose closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of her body against his. He stroked her back, running lazy circles over her skin.

“I have to go. I want to be home before the staff starts preparing breakfast.”

Augustus kissed the top of her head. “I enjoyed our night together.”

She lifted her head and looked down. “I did as well.”

He brushed his lips against hers before flipping them both over. She gasped when she felt his shaft push against her core. Her body instinctively arched into him. He flexed into her. “Do you think you have a few minutes to spare?”

Smiling, she said, “Perhaps a few.”

Concern flicked across his face. “Are you sore? I’ve never—”

“I’m fine.” She spread her legs further, trying to urge him into her.

He didn’t ask again but slid into her. She was so wet and ready for him. He pushed all the way in, and they both moaned. Their eyes connected. The intense connection between them sent shivers down her body.

This man would be with her long after they went their separate ways. The thought saddened her, and she didn’t want to focus on it because it meant hurt was headed her way. He pulled out of her and plunged into her again. “Christ, Rose. You are so fucking beautiful.”

She met him stroke for stroke. Every time their bodies met, the connection between them seemed to become even more heightened, not just the ache building in her body.

She frantically chased her release, not wanting to focus on the heartfelt emotions swirling around them.

He pushed into her and stopped, grinding against her feminine nub.

A throaty moan burst out of her, and she wrapped her legs around Augustus tighter.

He did it again, and the ache in her body stepped closer to the edge of her climax.

Yes, she could be happy with this. With one more thrust, she shattered.

Her body hummed from her release. Augustus’s pace increased, and Rose met him stroke for stroke, hanging on to him almost desperately.

He plunged into her one more time before pulling out and finding his release.

Using a cloth by the bed, he gently cleaned both of them.

He rolled to his side and stared down at her, his gaze turning serious.

For some mad reason, she thought he was about to say something that he would regret when he found out his first love was single and in London, likely looking for a new husband.

Shooting out of the bed, she said, “I have to go.”

Augustus chuckled, unaware of the emotions swirling in her. “Calm down.”

She took a deep breath and turned around, forcing herself to smile. “While Lisbeth’s staff finds me very unconventional, they will be concerned if I don’t appear for breakfast.”

“When can we see each other again?” he asked as Rose shimmied into her chemise and drawers.

He rose, and her eyes hungrily roamed over him as he walked completely bare to her dress.

Why did the man have to be so handsome? He was a duke.

His body should not look the way it did!

Grabbing the dress, he held it out to her so she could step into it, and once she did, he started fastening the clasps on the back.

Augustus kissed her neck. “You didn’t answer me. When can we see each other again?”

“Well, we will see each other at least when we meet with Hawley or at the grand opening of the Historical Society for Female Curators?”

He ran his mouth down her throat. “That isn’t what I meant.”

She turned and deepened the kiss, not wanting to focus on the future. Their lips pressed against each other while their tongues swirled in a decadent dance. Eventually, Augustus broke away. “If we don’t stop, we will end up back in bed.”

Rose gave him one more kiss. “We will find a time. Will you have your staff arrange a hack for me?”

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 coursed through 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 share this 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.

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 the title. 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.

Was she right? Could he have a future with the outrageous scholarly temptress? No, he wouldn’t allow his mind to wander in that direction. Their time together was to be temporary.

“Sinclair, may I have my wife back?” Derry glowered at him, yet amusement lurked in his eyes.

Sophia’s and her husband’s eyes met, and a look of pure adoration passed between them. Jealousy flared within him, not for Sophia but for the emotion he saw between his two loved-up friends. Rose flashed in his mind.