Page 38 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

L ater in the day, after everyone departed, Rose wandered down the hallway, taking in all the portraits along the walls. The paintings of Augustus’s family and their ancestors stared back at her. It appeared that his family line went back generations.

She swallowed and studied everything around her. The opulence of his home was staggering. Rose had spent weeks with Augustus, but not once did she imagine this was who this man was when he wasn’t looking for artifacts with her.

There was nothing wrong with who he was or that he was a duke, but her heart cracked a little because as much as she wanted the man, she wasn’t sure she could fit in here—in his life. As she walked, a servant passed her silently.

“Excuse me, do you know where I could find His Grace?”

The maid’s eyes rounded. “One moment please, Miss Calvert.” Then she spoke with another male servant, who looked at her and then rushed off.

Rose flushed, worried that she was causing them unneeded work. “If you tell me which direction, I can find him.”

The maid said, “It will be just one moment, Miss Calvert.”

Rose heard someone rushing down the hallway behind her and turned. It was the butler, Benson. He stopped and said, “Miss Calvert, I will escort you to His Grace’s study.”

She nodded, but a sense of foolishness filled her for causing so much trouble. Rose had assumed the maid would point her toward where to find Augustus, but instead, she’d caused his staff to scramble.

The butler briskly moved down the hallway with Rose following behind him. He stopped at a polished wooden door and knocked softly.

“Enter,” Augustus said formally from inside the room.

The butler opened the door. “Your Grace, Miss Rose Calvert.”

She cringed, hating the pomp that she wasn’t accustomed to seeing Augustus surrounded by, but it was likely an everyday part of his life.

As she entered, Augustus rose. His eyes roamed over her, and her stomach dipped.

This man, with one look, could make her body instantly come alive for him.

The butler shut the door, leaving them alone.

Rose wanted to run to him and press her mouth to his, but she hesitated.

He stood dressed in tailored clothing made just for him, surrounded by wealth that most would never see in their lifetime.

Rose was by no means poor. In fact, she was quite wealthy, but it would never match this.

He moved around the desk, striding towards her.

Her concerning thoughts disappeared from her mind as he pulled them flush and kissed her.

Her hips pushed involuntarily further into him.

He pulled away from her mouth and dropped kisses along her jaw.

His large hands grasped her hips and pushed her up against his shaft. The ache in her core flared to life. A groan escaped him. “Rose, I need you.”

His words caused her own craving for him to intensify. They stumbled back, and he spun her around, placing her on the edge of his desk. This was madness. Someone could enter at any time, but her need for him seemed to overtake any rational thought.

His mouth trailed kisses down her throat before he playfully nibbled and palmed her bosom. She tilted her head back, her hips flexing upward. His warm hands slid up her petticoats and skirt, and she gasped when he touched her skin.

“I wanted you to rest, but all day, I’ve thought about this.”

She giggled. “Me on the desk?”

He grinned back at her wickedly. “Me between your thighs.”

His blunt words intensified the ache at her core.

All thoughts about Augustus’s ducal life disappeared when he released himself from his pants.

The slit in her drawers allowed him to slide his cock into her without the removal of any of her clothing.

He grasped her hips, dragging her closer to the edge of the desk as their bodies pressed up against one another.

They both moaned and then, slowly and deeply, he pumped into her.

The tight hold caused friction against her feminine, sensitive nub.

She grasped onto his shoulders, pressing harder into him each time.

Her body greedily took all that he was willing to give.

She felt the throbbing crest, and when it exploded, she fell back, her arms bracing her on the desk.

Augustus grasped her hips more firmly. His fingers pressed into her skin desperately. She watched him, devouring the sight of his need for her. She met the pace of his thrust, urging him on. He whimpered when her legs tightened around him, grasping the desk and driving into her harder.

With one more thrust, he moaned and withdrew from her. His release landed on her thighs. He quietly whimpered, continuing to rock his hips. They pressed their heads together. Rose had no doubt that, no matter what happened between them, she would never quite be able to get over this man.

He stepped back and found a cloth to clean her up before pulling her from the desk. Augustus made his way to his chair and held out his hand. She allowed him to pull her onto his lap.

“Rose, I’m not sure I can let you go,” he warned, kissing the top of her head.

She looked up at him. “What are you saying?”

He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I’m asking how do we make this work? You and me.”

Her heart pounded because even though her life wasn’t in London, she was beginning to wonder that too. Augustus pulled her to him again, and before she could answer, he said, “Don’t answer now. Just think about if you could stay in London with me and become my duchess.”

She hugged him tighter and wanted to say yes immediately, but she was unsure if she could give everything up for him, even though she’d already given him her heart.

*

Augustus entered Hawley’s office apprehensive about why the man wanted to meet with him alone. He’d already scheduled a meeting with him and the board members of the Historical Society for Female Curators.

The scholar’s assistant opened the door for him, and Hawley rose. He sported a bruise on the right side of his face. Augustus frowned. “That doesn’t look good.”

“We found the men, and, in the scuffle, I was knocked around a bit.”

Augustus eyed him curiously. “I wouldn’t ever take you as a man to be involved in a tussle.”

A smile flitted across his face. “I’m not. I wish I was doing something heroic, but in truth, I was caught in the middle of the fight. I’m glad all of this is over. I can return to my research.”

“Does that mean the British Secret Service has no more use for you?”

“Certainly, no more use for ancient text. It was a foolish idea. I told them that when they showed up at my door. I know I’m to meet with you and my wife’s club, but I wanted to inform you that both men were apprehended. They were arrested for smuggling.”

Augustus nodded. “Rose and I did as you asked. We didn’t mention the test and stuck to it being associated with smugglers who heard the rumor.”

Hawley smirked. “The British Secret Service will be happy.”

“Are you sure it is completely over?”

The scholar sighed. “Yes, no one will be going after Miss Calvert again. Our meeting tomorrow should completely resolve this matter for me, you, and the Historical Society for Female Curators.”

“What about the map?” Augustus asked.

Hawley sighed. “I’ve tried everything to get Harston to release it. He is adamant that he will not give it to the club. The man has too much clout at the London Society of Antiquaries for me to force it. He is already furious with me for backing Rose’s research.”

An idea was forming in Augustus’s mind. It had to do with the one person Harston couldn’t refuse. “Can I ask you to call on someone with me in a few days? I think I have an idea.”

“Of course. I want Adelaide and the club to succeed. I know she doesn’t believe me, but I truly do.”

Hawley always seemed to take great care not to prevent his wife from doing something.

If it was any other couple, Augustus would suspect it was love, but they’d been permanently separated for years.

The man he was studying sighed. “Believe it or not, there was a time when my wife and I had the highest level of admiration for each other. I realize I have hurt Adelaide recently with my pursuit of a close associate of hers. It wasn’t my intent, but I can’t fix it now. I simply want to help if I can.”

Augustus nodded but didn’t ask any further questions. It was apparent Hawley had no interest in rehashing his life choices.

Later that afternoon, Augustus visited Devons and Derry in their office at the Den. They both smirked at him as he walked through the door. Once settled, he lifted a brow.

“Yes?”

“Is Rose Calvert still at your house?”

He scowled at them, causing them both to smirk. “My mother and sister are there to chaperone.”

Devons snorted and Augustus said, “I wonder if people find it odd that you and your betrothed are neighbors.”

His friend laughed. Derry grinned. “It is nice to see you besotted.”

Augustus sighed. “I am. I care for her deeply.

“So, will you court her?” Devons asked.

“I’m still thinking about it. I don’t want to stifle Rose’s goals by making her my duchess.”

“You have a right to be happy, Sinclair. Yes, your dukedom has more property entailed to it than most, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend your life miserable,” Derry said.

He sighed, and Devons asked, “Have you told her how you feel?

“I asked her to think about staying in England.”

Derry and Devons looked at each other, frowning. Annoyance surged in him. “What is it now?”

“Did you tell her you love her? Do you love her?” Derry asked.

He remained silent. Augustus was terrified to say those words, not because he doubted his feelings but because he knew once he said them, everything would change.

Devons sighed. “Now is the time for grand heartfelt statements.”

Derry nodded in agreement.