Page 46 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

R ose and Augustus stumbled into the tent.

They’d wed and then spent the evening celebrating with everyone at the site.

It was clear Augustus had already charmed everyone.

Most, she suspected, didn’t even realize he was a duke.

Though they knew he was someone. His bearing made it unavoidable to detect.

They would eventually marry at some grand cathedral in London, but Rose would always cherish this ceremony as their true wedding—this moment in the sand and under the stars.

Her husband was walking around the tent, humming.

She smiled, enjoying that even internally, she referred to Augustus as her husband. It felt wonderful.

A kind person had laid out a spread of food for them. He didn’t look at her but crooked his finger, beckoning her. “Come enjoy some of this.”

Rose joined him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Don’t think you can order me about because I’m your wife.”

He snorted. “I would never try. All I can do is hope I’m around to help you escape from the trouble you cause.”

She kissed him lightly. “Are you calling me a troublemaker?”

“Yes, I am duchess. You have been the epitome of trouble since I met you months ago in the foyer of my house during my mother’s ball.”

He pulled her shirt from her skirt, and she lifted a brow. “What are you doing?”

“Making you my wife in every way.”

She huskily murmured, “You’ve already done that.”

Augustus pulled her shirt off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. He palmed one of her breasts, still obscured by her chemise, and warmth started to pool between her legs. She’d miss this with Augustus—this closeness that seemed so right.

He unhooked her skirt, and it fell to the floor along with her shirt. He ran his hands along her sides. “I have fantasized about your form every night since the last moment I held you in my arms.”

She blushed at the ferocity of his words. Her core clenched, and she removed her chemise and drawers. “Good.”

He laughed at her one-word response, but his eyes glowed with ravenous desire. She reached for him, pulling his shirt open and helping him discard his pants. They fell onto the bedding, their bodies pressing against one another for more. She moaned as his shaft pressed against her stomach.

Augustus pulled back and studied her. A smile appeared on his face as he rubbed a black speck on her collarbone. The dot turned into a smudge. “I’ve missed these ink splatters.”

She smacked him on his chest, laughing. His eyes grew serious. “It is funny, but I truly did miss them. I would stare at ink and think of you. That is how much of a lovesick fool I am.”

Rose smiled softly. “I’m so lucky to be loved by you, Augustus. I love you.”

He kissed her and she murmured, “And, I promise not to become any neater, so you can continue to cherish them.”

Augustus chuckled and dipped his head down. Rose watched him as he kissed one of her nipples, gently biting and licking the hard pebble. She grabbed his head, both needing more and also feeling as if it was too much for her senses.

Still, she didn’t want him to stop. Instead, she hungered for more of it. Augustus ran his hands up and down her form, lingering at her core from time to time, teasing her. She frowned at him in frustration. He winked at her.

Two could play his game. She pushed him back against the bedding and ran her hands down the front of him before wrapping one around his shaft. He groaned and pumped his hips as she stroked him. Her hand slowed, and he whimpered, “Rose.”

She smirked at him. “You like to tease me. Why can’t I do the same?”

He rose up and pushed her onto her back. “No more games. What do you want?”

Her eyes met his, and all the need in her body flared. They had a lifetime to explore each other’s bodies. Right now, she just wanted him to be deep inside of her.

“I want you in me.”

He groaned, kissing her before nuzzling her neck. He prodded her legs open with a knee. Rose arched upward when the tip of his shaft touched her feminine folds. They looked at one another. Augustus kissed her. “I love you, always and forever.”

“Forever,” she repeated.

He plunged into her, and Rose gasped. Yes, this was perfection.

She would never grow tired of his body connecting with hers.

He withdrew and slid back in, heightening the ache in her core.

As he pumped into her, Rose began to arch upward, meeting him stroke for stroke.

He moaned and she whimpered as her body begged for more.

Augustus thrust into her and ground against her sensitive nub. She whimpered, her aching body overflowing with greed. With every plunge, he swiveled his hips. Watching her face, he seemed enthralled with every gasp and moan she made.

He pushed into her again, and Rose felt her body explode. The ache broke apart, racing through her. Augustus smothered her loud cry of delight with a demanding kiss as he grabbed her hips, pumping into her, taking all he could. He plunged one last time before pulling out from her and spending.

Rose’s heart hammered as she lay sated for the moment. Augustus cleaned them both up before joining her. He dropped a kiss on her lips. A weird thought popped into her head. Before she could think about it more, she asked, “Do you not want children?”

He smiled at her. “I want as many children as you will give me, but I think it is best if we discuss it first. In the last few months, a great deal has happened. It might be nice to have a bit of time for just us.”

She beamed at him. “I love that.”

He pulled Rose against him and said, “Someday, it will be nice to have a little girl and a little boy.”

“I don’t think we get to pick.”

He groaned and jokingly stated, “My luck, we will have all troublemaking girls.”

She playfully thumped him on the chest. “You would love that, but I have a feeling at least one of our children will be a proper little lord.”

He kissed her. “Whatever happens, all that matters is we are together. I love you my rabble-rouser duchess.”

*

Augustus shook his head as Benjamin frowned at Rose. Thomas covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing. They were seated in Benjamin’s tent, enjoying a break from the afternoon sun.

Rose glared at her father, offended. “I will not stop working in the field.”

Benjamin frowned at her. “You are a duchess now.”

“There is no reason Rose can’t continue with her work. We will find a way to make that happen.”

His wife beamed at him, and he knew that smile would make him do anything. She turned back to her father. “And, in London, I will do all my work at the Historical Society for Female Curators.”

Her father frowned. “You must think of how your actions will impact your husband.”

Augustus disagreed. He grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it. “She needn’t worry about that. I want Rose to continue her work in London and in the field.”

Rose nodded in agreement. “We’ve already begun to discuss how that may be possible and tasks I can take on to support the dukedom.”

Her father’s eyes became watery. “I can’t believe my daughter is a duchess. Your mother wanted you to meet a gentleman, and now you have.”

The love between father and daughter was evident to Augustus. He greatly admired their relationship. Rose reached over, squeezing her father’s hand. “I wish she was here too.”

“Will you all stay and search for the remaining tablets?” Thomas asked.

Rose and Augustus looked at each other. They’d decided to put the hunt for the last tablets on hold until after they were married in London and could make more long-term plans.

He had told Rose they could find a way to stay, but she insisted they return.

She wanted his mother to have her dream of hosting a grand wedding for them.

He sighed. “We are headed back to London. The Duchess of Lusby, Lady Hawley, and Lord Hawley are doing everything possible to convince the London Society of Antiquaries to provide the map. Hopefully, we can assist with that in London, and on our next trip out here, we can bring it with us.”

Thomas nodded. “I will continue to look. I won’t be returning to London with you all. I’m happy I was able to be a witness to the first wedding.”

Rose frowned at him. “Are you sure?”

“I’m happier away from that city.”

Augustus wondered why the man hated London so much, but he didn’t ask. He would ask Rose later.

“Well, I will be traveling with you,” Benjamin informed them.

Everyone laughed. The man grinned at them, delighted.

Rose rolled her eyes. “I know you are thrilled to see me wed.”

“I am, but most importantly, I’m happy you found your other half. Your mother wanted you to have a Season but would have only wanted you to marry for love.”

Rose’s eyes met Augustus’s, and she smiled. “I did that.”

“I love you.”