Page 4 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

R ose glanced around the opulent drawing room of the townhouse.

While she’d always known Lisbeth was a duchess, standing in her stately home made it real.

The sophisticated building brimmed with a class Rose struggled to associate with Thomas’s old love.

Not that the duchess had ever been common or unladylike, but this seemed over the top.

“Christ,” her father muttered as he perused the rich furnishings filling the space.

Rose’s thoughts weren’t far off from her father’s.

They were two fish out of water. Movement at the door caused her to turn, and she forced herself not to gasp.

Lisbeth stood there. Gone was the young lady she, her father, and Thomas had lived and worked with, replaced by a breathtaking woman who emanated class and a cold sophistication.

Silence filled the room as they all studied one another. Finally, as if remembering himself, her father bowed. A wide smile broke out on Lisbeth’s face. “Benjamin, it is wonderful to see you in person.”

She walked to him, holding out her hands, and he took them while she placed a kiss on his scruffy cheek.

Her father blushed, causing Rose to roll her eyes.

He’d always held a soft spot for the lady.

She and Lisbeth had never gotten along when they were younger.

Back then, Rose had suspected it was because she and Thomas got on so well.

Turning to her, Lisbeth wore a strained smile. “Rose, it is wonderful to see you.”

She lifted a brow. “My father’s treachery has brought me to London.”

Her father sighed. “Do not drag our old friend into our quarrels.”

If the duchess didn’t have the tablets, Rose wouldn’t be standing here, so it had everything to do with her.

“I appreciate you sponsoring Rose for the Season,” her father said.

“For only as long as I’m working on the tablets.”

Laughter escaped Lisbeth. “Of course, I don’t plan to keep you here against your will. I’m excited for you to work on them. They will be our primary display at Seely House.”

“We met Sebastian Devons a while back, and he mentioned you are creating a club for women focused on antiquities.”

Lisbeth nodded. “Devons is one of our partners. We have already set up the Historical Society for Female Curators. We hope our grand opening to the public can be centered around the exhibit we create from the tablets you are deciphering.”

“What if I can’t translate them?”

The duchess snorted. “I have no doubt you will.”

Rose had to admit that it felt good to know Lisbeth still respected her language skills.

“Are they here?”

“No, they are at Seely House, but I plan to bring you there and show you around in the next few days.”

In the next few days! What was she to do until then? As if reading her mind, Lisbeth said, “I thought we could spend some time while your father is here discussing what you hope to accomplish during the Season.”

“Yes, I think that’s best. Rose has a whole new wardrobe.”

The duchess’s eyes roamed over her dress, and Rose shifted from foot to foot, uncomfortable with the perusal. Lisbeth smiled. “Let’s sit.”

Rose and her father followed her to the sitting area. After they sat, a servant placed a tray containing sweets and tea between them. Lisbeth poured them each a cup. Rose wondered how she could sit so straight, pour tea, and not spill a drop.

“Benjamin, how long will you be staying in London?”

Her father flushed. “Only for two days. I promised a friend I would travel north to view a few of the artifacts he has found on his farm.

Coward , Rose thought. He didn’t want to be here any more than she did. Still, his leaving was good news. She wouldn’t have her father hovering around, ensuring she was doing everything possible to win a husband.

Lisbeth frowned at him. “What if someone requests to court her?”

Benjamin shifted uncomfortably. “You can assist her.”

Rose added, “He wants this for me, but doesn’t plan to participate. As long as I’m auctioned off to a gentleman, he will be happy.”

Her father looked at her, wounded by her harsh words. Lisbeth continued to frown. “But what if someone asks for her hand in marriage? Don’t you want to be here?”

A snort escaped Rose. “I think that is unlikely.”

Her father and Lisbeth glanced at each other. The latter narrowed her eyes while the former suddenly tugged at his jacket.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

He sighed. “I may have told a few associates what the sum of your dowry is. They’ve shared the details with others.”

She had her own money. Before any marriage took place, it would be placed in a trust unavailable to her husband.

Annoyance flared within her that she was making imaginary plans for a husband she would never have.

Rose was not getting married. Still, money always made things more appealing.

It was a sly move by her father. “How much?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Lisbeth insisted, “We both must know the amount.”

“10,000 pounds.”

She and Lisbeth gasped at the obscene number. Rose glared at her father. “Do you want me to wed a fortune hunter?”

“Of course not. I want you to be competitive with other ladies. Several chaps will not consider you because of your lack of a title and your age. Now they will reconsider.”

“Do you think I would marry some fool who only finds me appealing because of a dowry?”

She and her father stared at each other angrily. Lisbeth sighed. “While I think it’s a noble gesture, Benjamin, I wish you had consulted with me first. An excessive dowry will cause more havoc than good.”

He folded his arms. “I don’t care. I’m no fool. The dowry will increase the interest in Rose. Once it does, all the men in search of a bride will easily conclude how remarkable she is.”

Rose rolled her eyes at her father’s praise. He frowned. “Rose, I want to fulfill my promise to your mother as best as I can.”

She knew he did. “Fine. There isn’t much we can do about it now.”

He smiled, relieved by her words of acceptance. “Splendid.”

That wasn’t quite the word Rose would use, but she was tired of arguing with him. He stood and brushed his jacket. “I must go. I have a meeting at a club, but will be here for dinner later this evening.”

Rose and Lisbeth both watched as he departed. Once gone, Rose threw herself against the back of the sofa, slouching down. “Please tell me no one will care about my obscene dowry.”

Lisbeth did just the opposite. “Be prepared to be inundated with offers.”

She closed her eyes, wishing she was still in the desert, not this fancy room.

“We will have a busy schedule,” her host said.

Rose’s eyes fluttered open. She studied Lisbeth.

It had been a decade since she’d seen her.

They’d been in Tuscany on a break, celebrating Rose and Thomas’s betrothal.

At the time, everyone seemed so happy. Yet, the visit ended in heartache.

A few days later, Lisbeth left Thomas, leaving only a note to say that she had to return home and to forget about her.

Thomas had been furious and then heartbroken when word reached them that she’d wed a duke. Rose’s friend hadn’t been right since.

As if Lisbeth could sense Rose’s thoughts, she blushed and shifted uncomfortably.

She truly was made to be a duchess. Sighing, Rose said, “You’ve done well for yourself.”

Lisbeth nodded. “The estate and my children keep me sufficiently engaged.”

“Will I meet them?”

A slight frown flitted across the duchess’s face. “Unfortunately, no. They are staying with my brother and his family in the country.”

“Lucky children,” Rose remarked.

Lisbeth smiled. “Yes. They would agree. Would you like to rest? I will show you to your room.”

Rose wasn’t typically a fan of a midday rest, but today, her body begged for sleep. “Yes. I believe that would be nice.”

They both stood but Lisbeth didn’t move. A look of uncertainty passed over her face, startling Rose. The Lisbeth she remembered had been bold and never unsure.

“Is anything amiss?” she asked the duchess.

“I know there may be some hurt feelings over what happened between Thomas and me. I want you to know that I never intended to upset anyone.”

Yet, she had destroyed Thomas, and the man who rose from the destruction, while still her friend, was an outrageous rogue and an extreme adventurer.

Rose would never share that with Lisbeth.

Loyalty prevented her from doing so. Instead, she shrugged.

“I’m sure you had your reasons. Thomas is doing well. ”

Happiness flitted across Lisbeth’s face. “I’m so glad to hear that. I only want the best for him.”

Did she? Rose frowned, confused by her words.

“Follow me,” Lisbeth said. “It will be wonderful for you to rest, and then I will tell you about the Historical Society for Female Curators. The board is excited to meet with you.”

*

Augustus sighed as two of his closest friends howled with laughter.

The Marquess of Derry and Sebastian Devons, proprietors of the gentlemen’s club, the Den, found it hilarious that his mother had lectured him on his lack of a wife.

He’d expected them to commiserate with him, not use him as a source of their amusement.

Augustus should have suspected it was too much to ask.

Derry had been married for a few years now, and Devons was betrothed.

Lovesick fools , he thought as he took another sip of his brandy. He wasn’t trying to avoid what was demanded of him, but he wanted someone he could at least stomach as a companion. Knowing that whoever he married would be his partner for life made Augustus a cautious man.

“I’m sorry, friend. I find it amusing that your mother believes you have reached an age that ladies may find you unsuitable to marry. You’re a duke. Women will always want you,” Derry snickered.

He smirked back at him, but inside, his gut clenched because deep down, he detested the point Derry was making the most. Augustus was to be some lady’s prize. The thought rankled him and was always in the back of his mind, tormenting him.