They had to do something. Rose was furious. “There must be someone we can speak with who understands where stolen artifacts might end up.”
“There is an illicit market for antiquities in London. I could ask my father, but I fear he will become alarmed about my participation here if he knows about the thefts,” Sarah said.
“We must keep this as quiet as possible. The gossipers are already on alert, looking for anything amiss here,” Addie stated.
“We need to speak with someone,” Rose bit out.
Addie nodded and walked to the office. What was she doing? Rose and Sarah followed her. The club president rifled through her desk and then held up a missive. “The Duke of Sinclair requested an appointment with us. His import business brings in relics across the globe. Perhaps, we can bring him into our confidence. I trust him and believe he would know where stolen antiquities were sold.”
The duke’s face flashed in Rose’s mind. She’d not expected to see him again after their encounter with the statue. Yet, he’d been at her talk and now the club would meet with him. Why did he unsettle her so much? He was handsome, but it wasn’t that. Rose had encountered plenty of attractive men in her life. She’d felt something different and new at his ball with him.
No.Rose was making their connection bigger than it was. She was letting her imagination run wild. That’s all it was. They didn’t suit and she wasn’t even looking for a husband. But the thought of working with him to find the tablets made her flustered. Anger welled in Rose that her mind wasn’t focused on what was important. What was she doing? She didn’t let men affect her and wouldn’t now. “I think we should ask for his help.”
Sarah nodded. “Agreed.”
“I hope this can all be cleared up soon. We are only a few weeks from the grand opening,” Addie said.
“We do still have the second tablet.”
She was grateful for that. Rose had only just started deciphering it. The theft seemed strange. Why leave one tablet behind? If a thief were looking to sell the relics on the illicit market, they would want all of them. She didn’t share her thoughts, unsure what it all meant. “We have my notes from the first tablet as well. No matter what, we will have something to share at the grand opening.”
Addie nodded but appeared disappointed. Rose said, “I want to find them as much as you do, and I refuse to believe they arelost to us permanently. When are we expected to meet with the duke?”
“This afternoon.”
Rose would and could put aside the disconcerting feelings she had for the man. They would find the tablets. That was her only focus.
*
Augustus followed LadyHawley to her office at Seely House. She’d said that she and the Historical Society for Female Curators board had much to speak with him about, surprising him. As they reached the door, he could hear multiple women speaking. His body became alert as he heard a voice he suspected was Rose Calvert’s. His reaction both unsettled and annoyed him. He was making their encounter into something it wasn’t. Augustus told himself he was simply impressed with all she had accomplished.
They walked through the door, and all chatter died. Besides Lady Hawley, four women stared back at him. The club president pointed at a wingback chair. “Please join us, Your Grace.”
He nodded hello to all the ladies before taking a seat. Augustus’s gaze drifted back to Rose Calvert. Today, she wore a blouse and a brown skirt, and her brownish-red hair was piled high on her head. Again, he noticed a tiny black mark on her skin. The suspected ink spot was on her chin. Was the woman always splattered with the substance?
“I’m not sure what you wanted to speak with us about, Your Grace, but we did have some questions for you.”
“Please call me Sinclair.”
Lady Hawley flashed him a smile. If it were any other woman, he might believe she was trying to flirt with him, buthe speculated it was her natural personality. His gaze drifted back to Rose Calvert to discover her frowning at him. Augustus turned back to the club president. “What are your questions?”
“We request that whatever we share with you doesn’t go further than this room.”
Now, his curiosity was piqued. What was going on?
Lady Hawley looked around and said, “The relics we discussed a few days ago have been stolen.”
He frowned. “How? By who? Have you called the police?”
The only other woman he knew, the Duchess of Lusby, said, “We suspect this will not be a priority for them.”
Augustus shrugged. “That isn’t surprising. They are overrun with cases.”
“The tablets are priceless items,” Rose Calvert stated.
He nodded. “I understand, but theft of goods is never a priority.”
“I just realized I haven’t done introductions. I’m sorry for that,” Addie said. Then, she introduced each lady and what they did for the club. She motioned to Rose Calvert last. “Miss Calvert isn’t a permanent member, but the tablets are hers. We need to find them.”
