She nodded. “Good evening.”
Devons asked, “Are you enjoying your adventure with Sinclair?”
She stared at them quizzically, and Augustus wanted to pummel them. Something was afoot.
“Enjoyment is not the word I would use to describe it. Unfortunately, we haven’t located the tablets at either of the auctions we’ve attended.”
Devons frowned. “I was certain they would turn up at one of these. I wonder if a private curator, after attending your talk, decided they wanted the tablets and had someone steal them.”
If that were the case, they would never find them, Sinclair thought. Something seemed amiss. Most stolen artifacts and antiquities went through the two auctions they’d attended. It was strange they hadn’t turned up.
“A seller did mention a man attended the auction a few days ago and asked about cuneiform text. I wonder if it’s the solicitor.”
“One of the reasons I hope to see you both here is that I received an update from one of my investigators. He discovered where Mr. Abbas was staying. Unfortunately, the solicitor left last week. The tavern owner said he was in a hurry,” Devons explained.
“Then he is the one who took them?” Rose asked.
“I don’t know. My men didn’t see any signs of the tablets. They are trying to locate where he went next.”
Augustus wasn’t confident it was him. “Do you think they will be able to find him?”
Devons frowned. “I’m not sure. He seems as if he is being intentionally evasive.”
Sadness flickered across Rose’s face, and Augustus hated it. He would find her tablets. They couldn’t have just disappeared. There had to be a trail. He glanced at her reassuringly. “We will find them.”
Devons and Derry regarded him with amusement, and his neck heated. He didn’t have time for his friends and whatever they were up to. While Mr. Abbas’s movements were suspicious,they still needed to explore all options. Perhaps Hawley would know of other places to visit in search of the tablets.
The scholar was likely at the Den. He would return Rose to Lisbeth’s townhouse and then head to Devons and Derry’s club. “If you will excuse us. I need to see Miss Calvert home.”
His friends nodded, and Devons said, “My investigators will keep looking.”
Rose smiled. “Thank you for all of your help.”
Augustus escorted Rose out to their awaiting carriage. Once in, she frowned at him. “I still don’t know why you didn’t want me to share with the seller that I could decipher the tablet. Perhaps he can be an ally in our search?”
He snorted. “A smuggler?”
Her eyes flashed. “Thankfully, this is our last auction. I’ve grown tired of your ducal bearing and opinions.”
Augustus scowled at her. “My requests have all been for your own good.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I don’t want to see you harmed because some reprobate sees a beautiful woman wandering a market alone.”
Rose rolled her eyes. “Beautiful? I don’t need flattery.”
Shock coursed through him. Rose truly couldn’t believe that she wasn’t stunning. His eyes swept over her thick dark hair and large brown eyes before landing on her plump lips. He leaned forward. “You must know you are lovely.”
She pressed her lips together, causing his cock to twitch. Damn it. He didn’t want to desire this woman. No good would come from it. Still unable to resist, he ran his thumb across her full lower lip. “This mouth could tempt a saint. It begs to be kissed.”
A tense silence hung between them. He should apologize, but then she asked, “Are you that saint?”
He growled and pulled her over onto his lap. Her bottom molded against his cock as he pressed his mouth against her plump one. This woman shouldn’t feel this amazing. He cupped the back of her head and dipped his tongue between her lips, exploring and tasting her as if this was his only chance. And if he was thinking rationally, it probably was, but right now, he didn’t care about any of that.
She wiggled on his lap, making him groan against her mouth. Unable to resist, he continued to kiss her. His hand cupped one of her breasts, itching to release the mound from the confines of her shirt.
Suddenly, she pushed at his chest. “We must stop. The carriage is at the duchess’s townhouse.”
