Page 5 of A Translation of Desire (The Brazen Curators #2)

“My point is thirty-five is not ancient.”

Devons snorted. “It isn’t young either.”

No, it isn’t , he admitted to himself. Perhaps he could try to be more open-minded this year.

Catherine would eventually return to London.

Could she be an option? His mouth twisted into a smirk.

No, she wasn’t. She’d known true love, and as much as Augustus didn’t prioritize the emotion, he couldn’t marry someone who had.

Whatever marriage dreams he had for Catherine were gone.

“Do you have anyone in mind? You seem lost in thought. Is the great Sinclair interested in a lady?” Derry asked.

Augustus rolled his eyes. “No. Hardly. Enough talk about the marriage mart. I will find a wife when I’m ready.”

“Diana and Sophia would be happy to assist—”

“No,” Augustus cut them off. He didn’t need them or their partners to play matchmakers.

Both men erupted into more laughter. He frowned at them, waiting for them to get ahold of themselves. Finally, Devons asked, “How is the antiquities business?”

“Good and busy.”

“Have you set up a meeting with the Historical Society for Female Curators?” Devons asked.

The club owner’s betrothed was a board member, and he’d been after Augustus for a while to consider how they could partner.

Augustus wasn’t opposed to the idea, but he already partnered with the London Society of Antiquaries.

The two clubs seemed to compete directly with each other.

He didn’t want to be involved. “I haven’t reached out yet. ”

“Too high and mighty to support women challenging the establishment,” Devons asked.

Augustus snorted. “I have no interest in getting involved in Lady Hawley’s drama.”

“The club is so much more than that. Are you aware that the London Society of Antiquaries doesn’t allow women?” Devons asked.

Augustus sighed. “Your club mostly caters to men.”

“The Den is focused on vice, not artifacts,” Derry replied. “And we do have options for women.”

Devons nodded in agreement with his brother and then added, “The Historical Society for Female Curators has grown into more than Lady Hawley’s revenge project.

They are building something quite spectacular.

You will regret not involving yourself with them early on.

Their first large exhibit will have its grand opening next month. ”

“I will have my man of affairs arrange something.”

“Brilliant. I assumed you didn’t want to anger the London Society of Antiquaries,” Devons added.

Augustus scowled at him, knowing his friend was being an instigator. “I already said I will meet with them. No need to try to strong-arm me into it.”

“I would never do that.” Devons grinned.

“What is the exhibit about?” Augustus asked.

“They will host a small reception in two weeks to share with attendees what they can expect at the grand opening. They are calling it a sneak peek. Attend and find out for yourself.”

Augustus could, at the very least, do that.

In truth, he hadn’t considered the new club at all for a partnership.

It had nothing to do with the London Society of Antiquaries, but more so, he was swamped with all his ventures.

Today, they were supposed to discuss their joint telegraph business, not marriage or the all-women’s historical society.

“Where is your wife, Derry? Shouldn’t we be discussing locations for telegraph lines?”

As if his friend could somehow telepathically summon her, Sophia burst through the doors of her husband’s study. “Sorry, I’m late. The twins were being very naughty.”

Everyone rose, and Augustus grinned at the lady, partially because they were good friends but also because it annoyed Derry that his wife liked him so much. He enjoyed irritating the man.

“Augustus, it is so wonderful to see you,” she said.

He took her hand and made a dramatic show of bowing over it. She blushed, and he almost chuckled as Derry practically growled in disapproval. Sophia turned to her husband and frowned. He raised a brow at her. She rolled her eyes and sat in the empty wingback chair of the sitting area.

“Have you started?”

“No. We were discussing Sinclair’s marriage prospects,” Derry said, gleeful to share the information with his wife.

Sophia’s eyes flashed with excitement, and Augustus forced himself not to groan. “Have you met someone? You of all people deserve to find a love match.”

“I’m not looking for that.”

The lady frowned at him as if an absurdity had spewed from his mouth. “Then why haven’t you wed? I assumed you wanted love.”

Augustus tugged at his cravat, hating this conversation. Devons sighed. “We’ve been tormenting him about it all morning. I think Sinclair deserves a reprieve from any more questions about the marriage mart.”

Sophia pursed her lips, studying Augustus as if he were some rare specimen. He supposed he was. He was a single duke, after all. She sighed. “Please, let me know if you need assistance.”

“Yes. I promise,” Augustus said, knowing he would never ask. “Now, can we please discuss these new lines?”