Page 42 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

T he women around her danced and laughed as they celebrated in the office at Seely House.

They’d all consumed a mixture of champagne and brandy.

Two London newspapers had published glowing remarks about the ancient epic exhibit put on by the Historical Society for Female Curators.

As well as lovely articles on all of Rose’s accomplishments.

The club succeeded in impressing London, and it happened because of all of these ladies’ determination.

Rose’s chest felt tight when she thought about leaving them.

She’d never easily made friends with other women, but these ladies had all become so dear to her.

She would miss them dreadfully. Still, she remained hopeful that at least some would visit her.

The London Society of Antiquaries agreed to provide them with the map in the next few weeks, so all the ladies decided Lisbeth would deliver it.

The idea of Lisbeth traveling to see her and her father was shocking.

She wasn’t sure how Thomas would take it, but maybe it was time to let bygones be bygones.

They were all older and wiser now, surely?

Well, at least Lisbeth was. Thomas, not so much. Who knew what reckless escapade he was immersed in? Years ago, when she’d first met Lisbeth, the duchess had been the reckless one, with Thomas chasing after her to be sensible. Time certainly changed things, she mused.

“What are you over there looking all serious about?” Esme asked.

The young woman had a flush to her face that Rose suspected meant she was feeling quite tipsy. She didn’t blame her. “I’m thinking about how much I will miss all of you.” She chuckled.

“And a duke,” Addie said, swaying around the room as if she could hear someone playing a piano.

All the women giggled, and Rose reddened. Were her feelings for the man that obvious? She shook her head. “No. Of course, I’m glad I met Sinclair, but it is nothing more.”

Sarah and Diana snorted. Rose frowned. “We are friends, that is all.”

Diana plopped down next to her on the sofa. “My betrothed once said we were each other’s closest friends, nothing more.”

“Then he took me to a secluded cove, and now, I’m about to marry him,” Diana added with a wink as all the ladies chortled.

Rose giggled even though her heart ached. She was letting Augustus go because it was the right choice for him. “I wish I was able to attend your wedding.”

Diana winked at her. “I have a feeling you will be back.”

Addie beamed. “As do I.”

Rose smiled at all of them. “Regardless of whether I return, I want you all to know that you mean so much to me.”

The ladies all hugged her, making Rose all watery-eyed. Her time in London had undoubtedly changed so much in her life.

Later that evening, Rose sat with Lisbeth in the drawing room of her townhouse.

This was her last night before she departed for Tuscany and then on to the Syrian port of Latakia.

A guard would be traveling with her until she reached her first stop.

She would meet with Thomas there, and they would travel the rest of the way back to the current excavation site where her father was working.

“I can’t believe you will be visiting us. ”

“Only if Harston provides a map. He told his wife he would, but it could be next week, month, or year.”

“My father would love to see you again.”

Lisbeth smiled, and they both kept quiet about Thomas. Rose didn’t know how he would handle it. Her thoughts were interrupted by Alice and Jeremy rushing in. Rose had grown to really like Lisbeth’s two children. They were bundles of energy.

“We wanted to say goodbye to Rose,” Alice said.

Lisbeth smiled. “Quickly, you need your sleep.”

Shocking Rose, each of them hugged her, and Alice exclaimed, “Maybe someday I will come visit you.”

The duchess’s eyebrows shot up, and Rose wanted to laugh but stopped herself. “I would like that. Maybe when you are older.”

“Much older,” Lisbeth added.

Jeremy giggled, and Alice frowned at her. “Rose told us you were only eighteen when you started working with her.”

Rose wanted to sink into her chair and mouthed an apology to Lisbeth. Her friend sighed and said, “We’ll see. Now off to bed.”

They raced out of the room, and Rose said, “They are good children.”

Lisbeth nodded. “They are.”

They both sipped their drinks, and Lisbeth said, “I can’t believe you are leaving. I honestly thought you would stay.”

“I have loved the club.”

Lisbeth studied her intently. “I’m not talking about the club. I’m talking about Sinclair.”

Shocking herself and not wanting to hold in her feelings any longer, Rose said, “His first love is out of mourning. Lady Gillings is perfect for him.”

Lisbeth frowned at him. “Did he tell you that?”

Rose flushed. “Of course not, but she will make a fine duchess.”

“I know Lady Gillings. She would, indeed, make a wonderful duchess, but something tells me that Sinclair wouldn’t have waited this long if that was what he was looking for. There are plenty of ladies every year on the marriage mart who are destined to be exceptional hostesses and wives.”

Rose smiled sadly at her. “She is his first love. The only woman he has ever cared for, and she is free.”

“How do you know he doesn’t love you?”

Lisbeth’s question seemed absurd. It wasn’t about love but what would work best for Augustus’s life. “We don’t suit.”

“The man looks at you like he is madly in love and would ensure your happiness.”

Rose confessed, “I would hate for him to commit himself to me and then regret his choice. I’m no duchess, and he has never left England.”

The duchess pursed her lips together. “Don’t give me excuses. Do you love him or not? Answer the question.”

“I do,” she said, needing to tell someone the truth.

“Running away will not make the emotions disappear. Trust me, I know,” Lisbeth said.

Rose did not doubt that her thoughts were on Thomas. Still, she shook her head. “A marriage between us would be complicated.”

“No relationship is easy. You will regret not sharing your true feelings with him before your ship docks in Tuscany.”

“I met Lady Gillings while I was staying at Augustus’s house. He and his family were out, but we had a cup of tea together,” Rose confessed.

Lisbeth lifted a brow. “Your point?”

“All I could think about was how well she fit in his drawing room. She was perfect.”

Fire flared in the duchess’s eyes. “Did she say something cruel to you?”

Rose shook her head. “No, she was so kind. It made me realize that long-term, she is his match.”

“Rose, you are smarter than this.”

She might be, but she understood how much Augustus valued his duties. She could never ask him to desert any of that. Nodding, she said, “Perhaps, but it is my choice.”

*

A few days later, a lady whispered from behind a hedge, “Sinclair, come here.”

He glanced to his left and spied Sophia hiding in the flora. He rolled his eyes. “What are you doing?”

“This garden party is dreadful.”

They were both at Lady Maisly’s event. “Where is your husband?”

She wrinkled her nose in annoyance. “He said something came up with one of his business dealings. Lies. Lies. He is likely playing with the twins, happy as can be.”

Augustus let out a loud snicker, and Sophia shushed him. He sighed. “Why did you decide to come?”

“Because it is the right thing to do.”

He raised a brow.

“Lady Maisly, even when I was quite scandalous, has always been nice to me. Still, I don’t enjoy most of her friends.”

His friend was a kind person. Augustus held out his arm. “Walk with me and stop hiding.”

She grinned and joined him. They walked around the garden area, nodding greetings to others. “Can I say something to you?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“Why are you being such an idiot? You let Rose Calvert go.”

He stumbled to a stop, surprised by her words. “You don’t know what you speak of.”

“Sinclair, I have known you for years. You love that woman.”

He tried to suppress the hurt he always felt when he thought of Rose. “Well, she didn’t want me.”

She pulled him to a small table and pointed at the dainty seat. “Sit.”

Sitting across from him, she said, “Did you tell her you loved her?”

“I told her I wanted to figure out a future for us.”

His friend groaned and placed her head on the table dramatically. People turned to look at them. He hissed, “Sophia.”

She sat up and frowned at him, not caring who was listening. “You ducal dolt. You need to tell her you love her and make a big show of it.”

“I don’t do shows.”

“Then you don’t love her.”

“She is all I think of. No one will ever replace her.”

Sophia smiled softly at him. “That is what you need to tell her, and that no matter how different the two of you are, you will figure it out.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are a duke. Can you imagine how overwhelming that must seem to her? She probably worries that you would sacrifice so much if you wed her.”

“Nothing with her would ever be a sacrifice.”

She sighed. “If you ever spoke such words to me with that tone, I may not have fallen in love with Malcolm.”

He snorted, but he realized she was right. He’d never told Rose how he really felt. He’d just let her go. Augustus let the woman he loved go! What the fuck was wrong with him? “I’m an idiot.”

“Yes, you are.”

He scowled at her. “Since you are suddenly so wise, what should I do?”

“Go to her.”

Sophia meant “leave England.” His practical side tried to remind him of all his duties, but his friend was right. He had to show her that there was a way to make all this work. Still, doubt filled him because Rose had refused to consider him at all.

“She did say she wanted to move on.”

His friend nodded, pondering his words, but finally shrugged. “Do you really want to spend the rest of your life knowing you didn’t fight for love?”

No, he didn’t, he realized. Augustus needed to make some plans. He stood. “I have to go.”

Sophia beamed. “Good luck.”

Later that evening, Augustus stood in the drawing room with his mother and sister. Willa grinned at him. “I’m so excited for you.”

He was leaving England, and Willa and his mother had agreed to take over the management of all the ducal properties for at least the next month. His assistant and solicitor had already been by to formalize everything.

His mother dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so happy you found a love match.”

“I have to see if she will have me first,” Augustus said.

“I’m sure she will,” Willa said.

He nodded, nervous but also euphoric—now that his plan to find Rose was on the cusp of beginning. “Are you sure you will be fine?”

“Augustus, we are family. We can take care of things for you. Do not fret.”

He grinned, realizing he probably should have asked for their help years ago. “Thank you.”