“I’m not a proper duchess.”
Thomas tilted her chin up and smiled down at her. “It looks like that is exactly what you are about to be. I think your duke is a lucky man. I doubt there has ever been a duchess quite like you.”
“I will be rot at being a lady running an estate.”
Thomas snorted. “Your duke probably has several estates, and you are a fast learner. He can hire someone for what you don’t want to learn or aren’t great at.”
He was right. Why had Rose convinced herself that Augustus was better off without her? Every moment she spent with the man felt right. That was what mattered.
“I need to return to London.”
Thomas shook his head. “First, we need to go to the excavation site to see your father. If your duke loves you, he will still love you in a few weeks.”
Rose knew he was right. She sighed, and Thomas chortled. “I can’t believe you will be a proper lady. That is two women in my life that I will lose to such lofty titles.”
She wrapped her arm in his. “You will never be without my friendship. That is the first time you’ve mentioned Lisbeth since my return. Do you have questions?”
He was silent for a moment but quietly asked, “Is she happy?”
Rose nodded. “Yes. I believe she is.”
“Good.”
She didn’t ask him any other questions, knowing that Lisbeth was not someone Thomas wanted to ponder. She did wonder if, perhaps, they could be friends again. It was a step in the right direction, that he wanted her to be happy. He stood and pulled her off the crate. “Come, Your Grace, let’s make plans for our trip to see your father.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Don’t call me that.”
He laughed, and for the first time in days, the ache in Rose’s chest seemed less. She was returning to London to claim her duke—no, not her duke, simply the man she loved more than anything else.
*
Augustus smiled atHarrison. “Good day, I was hoping Lady Hawley or any of the other board members were here. I need to speak with them. It is a matter of great importance.”
His voice must have echoed through the large foyer as the board members of the Historical Society for the Female Curators walked to the railing on the mezzanine level and looked at him with concern. Christ! It was all of them.
Addie asked, “Is something amiss?”
Diana smiled at him, and he wondered if she already knew why he was there.
“Are you visiting us about Rose?”
She did. The other ladies giggled. He felt his neck heat, but he didn’t care. Rose was precisely the reason he was calling on them. “Yes.”
Addie sighed, and the ladies made their way down the grand staircase. Addie motioned for him to join them in one of the drawing rooms.
“Why are you looking for her?” Lisbeth asked.
“Because I love her.”
“I knew it!” Lady Esme said. “You all owe me a pound.”
Why was everyone placing bets on who he loved? Still, Lady Esme had bet right. Addie grinned. “We were shocked she made it out of London.”
“She told me that we didn’t suit.”
Lisbeth sighed. “She thinks you will fall back in love with your childhood sweetheart. She had tea with her at your house.Lady Gillings was looking for your mother or sister, but they weren’t in. The visit made Rose decide the widow would make the perfect duchess for you.”
Catherine had called on his family, and Rose had never mentioned it. It must have been the day she left suddenly. Annoyance flared in him. It would be just like Rose to make rash decisions. Once he found his wife-to-be, they would have a long talk.
