“Let us see what they can accomplish,” Hawley stated.
“Even to the detriment of your own club?” Jude asked.
Hawley was too smart not to realize Jude was moments away from spreading his opinions about his wife’s club. Why was he slyly supporting the Historical Society for Female Curators?
The scholar shrugged. “The two can coexist.”
Jude stood, laughing as if he said the most hilarious thing. “I’m off, but it was wonderful to see you both. Sinclair, good luck in your bride hunt.”
Augustus said nothing, only raising his brandy glass in acknowledgment. Jude hurried out of the room, likely on his way to spread Hawley’s opinions as quickly as possible.
“That man would be at a loss if he couldn’t divulge gossip,” Hawley said dryly.
“Rather decent of you to make your opinions on your wife’s club known.”
“I don’t wish her ill will. Society loves to talk about our contentious relationship. In truth, we simply live separate lives.”
Except Hawley had made his wife’s best friend his lover, which to most seemed vengeful and out of character for him. Augustus only nodded. It was the scholar’s business, not his.
“I’m glad I found you here. I was curious if anyone had approached you about cuneiform tablets. I recently met a solicitor, Mr. Abbas, who is interested in compiling a list of anyone in London who owns items containing the ancient text. Have you met or heard from him?
Hawley’s brows furrowed, thinking. Eventually, he said, “No. No one by that name has contacted me. Did he explain what his interest was?”
“That was the strange part. He came off as very secretive. He wouldn’t share further details on why his client wanted such alist or provide contact information in case I found any artifacts with the text.”
The scholar sipped his brandy and said, “I find it peculiar that he hasn’t reached out to me, and you would think he would. My paper, published about my key to decipher cuneiform text, has been widely circulated.”
Augustus nodded. “Agree. I asked my assistant to find out where he was staying.”
“I’m sure it is nothing,” Hawley said.
Jude re-entered the room with two other men, talking animatedly. Augustus shook his head. “The knowledge of your support of your wife’s club will be everywhere by tomorrow.”
Hawley chuckled. “I wasn’t unaware of what I was doing when I told him that. I don’t care for unnecessary drama, so I thought it best to share my thoughts far and wide.
“Why support it?”
“While I’m dedicated to the London Society of Antiquaries, I have not always agreed with their choices. Their refusal to admit female scholars has long been a contentious issue. If Adelaide hadn’t stood up the club, someone else would have.”
Augustus suspected there was more to Hawley’s support.
“I wonder if Mr. Abbas has reached out to the Historical Society for Female Curators. They have a visiting expert in ancient languages working on a project for them. I believe it is related to deciphering ancient texts,” Hawley said.
“How do you know so much about what your wife’s club is working on?”
Hawley shrugged. “Just rumors, but they are hosting a small talk next week to discuss what attendees can expect at their grand opening in a month. I plan to attend. I want to see if their main exhibit has something to do with cuneiform text.”
Augustus eyed him curiously. “You are spying on them, then.”
The scholar frowned. “Of course not. I’m just intrigued, especially if someone else has developed a key.”
“Do you know who the man is?”
Hawley shook his head. “Not he, but she—Miss Rose Calvert. She is the daughter of famed explorer Benjamin Calvert. Her father insisted she attend a London Season and placed an obscene dowry on her.”
Shock filled him. It had to be the lady from the ball. Augustus had purchased the Alcyone and Ceyx statue from Calvert. That was why she knew so many details about one of his favorite artifacts. He smiled, amused. She’d probably been the first to translate the etching on the stone when it was discovered. Intrigued to learn more about the lady, Augustus said, “I think I will attend as well.”
Nodding, Hawley said, “That’s a sound idea. If Mr. Abbas shows, perhaps you can point him out to me.”
