Page 40 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

R ose sat in the office at Seely House, listening to Hawley explain how she was held by a well-known smuggler who’d heard the crazy rumor that the British Secret Service was using cuneiform.

His explanation was riddled with half-truths, but she kept quiet.

She wanted to put the whole saga behind her, and Augustus had assured her that this was a one-time incident for the scholar.

The Historical Society for Female Curators was just beginning to succeed.

Whispers about spies and kidnapping would not benefit them.

It was best to let the whole thing fade away until it was forgotten entirely.

Her gaze flitted to Addie, wondering if she knew anything about her husband’s work with the British Secret Service—likely not.

She glanced at Augustus, who had been watching her since his arrival. Their eyes met, and her body, betraying her, hummed. His gaze subtly roamed down her form. He clenched a fist, and Rose suspected he was imagining his hands on her. At least, that was what she was envisioning.

“Rose, do you have any questions?” Addie asked.

She yanked her gaze away from Augustus to see everyone staring at her with concern. “Only thank you, Lord Hawley, for retrieving my tablets and research.”

Esme beamed, “Now you can finish deciphering the available portion of the epic.”

Yes, that would be Rose’s focus. “I hope to complete it in the next few weeks.”

“We still need to obtain the map. Lord Hawley, have you been able to speak with the vice president of your club about that?” Sarah asked.

“I’m working on it with Sinclair. We have a plan,” he provided.

Addie frowned at him. “I would like to speak with you separately about the map. If you could visit our townhouse sometime this week, that would be helpful.”

Hawley’s eyes widened. He appeared taken aback by her request. They had the weirdest relationship Rose had ever witnessed, though she suspected married lords and ladies leading separate lives weren’t that strange for the ton .

He nodded. “As you wish.”

That seemed to silence the room, but finally, Lisbeth said, “So this means we can host another talk to explain what the last tablet contains?”

Addie nodded. “When Rose is close to deciphering, we will announce another talk.”

Now was the time to reveal her secret. She took a deep breath and said, “I think we should set up the talk for three weeks from now. I plan to leave shortly after that. I have an idea of where I can find the remaining tablets. I want to talk with Thomas Easton.”

If she thought it was quiet before, it was deafening now. Everyone stared at her in shock. Lisbeth said, “I didn’t realize you were planning to leave.”

Don’t look at Augustus , she told herself. “While being in London has been quite the adventure, I need to return to my actual work, which isn’t here.”

“What about safety?” Augustus asked harshly. She hoped she was the only one who picked up on it.

She looked at him and saw the pain in his eyes. Her words hurt him, and even though she hated that, she had to do it. He needed someone like Lady Gillings by his side. It made more sense than a duke marrying her. Her sensible thoughts didn’t stop her heart from breaking.

“There shouldn’t be any further concern,” Lord Hawley stated.

But Augustus didn’t look his way. He was still intently staring at Rose. This had to be done. She forced herself to smile brightly. “Then it is settled. I will leave a few days after the last talk.”

Lisbeth smiled at her. “I know this wasn’t where you wanted to be, but I’m glad you came to London.”

Addie nodded. “You will always be a member of the Historical Society for Female Curators.”

Warmth spread through her chest at both their words. She glanced around at all the board members. She’d grown to care for the ladies deeply. They mattered to her. Hopefully, she would see some of them again. “I will always be proud to say I’m part of this club.”

The meeting broke up, and most departed, but Augustus lingered. Rose knew he wanted to speak with her, but she couldn’t do it here. Not with so many people around, she knew it would be a difficult conversation. He walked to her, and her stomach flipped.

“You are leaving?” he whispered.

“We need to talk, but not here. Can we meet at Lisbeth’s this evening? She will be out.”

The hurt was still there in his eyes, and it gutted her. She wanted to take his face in her hands and kiss away the pain she saw, but Rose couldn’t. In the long term, them being together wouldn’t work. It wasn’t the right thing for Augustus. He needed a proper duchess, and she wasn’t that.

“Tonight,” he said before departing.

She watched him stride off and had the urge to chase after him—what she would say, she didn’t know.

Addie approached her, staring at her curiously. “Anything amiss?”

She had the urge to reveal everything but stopped herself. Shaking her head, she said, “No.”

Addie held out her arm. “Then to the research room we go.”

She nodded. “Yes, I would like that.”

Rose hoped her work would ease the hurt she felt. It was her constant in all aspects of her life. She forced herself to smile.

*

Augustus paced back and forth in Lisbeth’s drawing room, waiting on Rose. He didn’t understand what was going on. He’d left her at his house and asked her to think about a future between them, only to return to find her gone.

He knew his feelings and had been confident of hers. He couldn’t have been wrong. She was everything he wanted. But what if you are not what she wants , his mind whispered back mockingly. The thought nearly choked him. He was a highly sought-after duke, and the one lady he wanted didn’t care.

In truth, it was one of the reasons he loved her.

Rose had wanted to spend time with him, not the Duke of Sinclair.

A rustling caused him to look through the doorway to find her entering.

She was wearing, of all things, trousers.

There was something endearing about how at ease she was in them.

It was very apparent that she wore them often outside of society life.

She looked nervous and moved straight to the brandy, confirming it. Rose poured them both a glass before handing him one. They stood, neither, looking as if they were going to sit. Finally, Augustus said, “So you are leaving?”

She took a sip of her drink and nodded. “I think it is best.”

“For who?” he asked, harsher than he intended.

She pressed her lips together. “Augustus, what would our future be like?”

“You are all I want—nothing more and nothing less.”

Augustus wanted her to throw herself in his arms and say those were the words she was waiting for, but Rose didn’t. Instead, she smiled sadly. “Where will that leave me? Will you arrange classes to teach me how to be a duchess?”

“We could hire—”

She shook her head, interrupting him. “You will find someone to be your perfect lady, and I predict soon. It isn’t me.”

He stared at her and then finished his brandy in one gulp before placing it on a table.

Fury pulsated through him. He would change everything to have her, but she wouldn’t even consider it.

Augustus stepped closer to her, and she sucked in a breath.

“Do you really expect me to believe you feel nothing for me?”

His lips trailed along her jaw and delicately brushed across her mouth.

Her breaths came out shakily as he nuzzled her neck.

She cared for him; he knew that. He moved to claim her mouth, but she placed her hand on his chest, stopping him.

He looked down at her. She smiled sadly.

“Of course, I care for you, but not enough to stay.”

Augustus saw the certainty in her eyes, and it shattered his heart. There was no changing her decision. It was over—this interlude between them that should have never started.

“If you leave, don’t ever reach out to me again,” he bit out, his fury bubbling over.

She flinched, but he wasn’t sure if it was because of his tone or demand. She nodded. “I think that is best.”

He stepped back and said, “I will take my leave.”

Rose nodded, and he strode to the door, but something in him snapped.

Augustus pivoted and walked back to her, pulling his temptress flush against him.

His tongue plunged into her mouth as he walked her back until they bumped into the wall.

In a swift motion, he had her pressed against the wall with her legs wrapped around his waist.

His kiss was brutal and dominant. He madly wanted to confirm to himself how much he could tempt her—that this connection wasn’t just one-sided and only on his part.

His hard length pressed against his trousers as he flexed against her warmth.

How he wanted to free himself and plunge into her, but he didn’t.

Augustus released her and stepped back. She stumbled slightly but remained upright. Even though it destroyed him, he smirked at her condescendingly. “I hope all your artifacts keep you warm at night, Miss Calvert. Don’t expect to hear from me again.”

Shock filled her face, but it was quickly replaced by sadness. “I understand, Your Grace.”

He fled the room and the townhouse. No, what he was escaping was the woman he would always love but could never have. Rose Calvert may not want him forever, but it terrified him that he would never be able to forget her. Still, starting today, he would do his damndest to try.