They all sat there disappointed. Shocking everyone, Esme slammed her hand on the arm of her chair. “We will not be down on ourselves. Most antiquities aren’t discovered in good condition or whole. I would be shocked if any of the LondonSociety of Antiquaries were. We will make this work no matter what. We have the first cuneiform epic found on stone tablets, and the person who deciphered it was awoman.”
Even though Rose hadn’t known Esme long, she’d quickly deduced the lady was the quietest and most ladylike of the group. Her outburst was not expected, but impressive. Addie clapped her hands excitedly, seemingly inspired. “You are right. We will make this work. Yes, I want the whole story badly, but this won’t end us.”
Lisbeth smiled at Esme. “Thank you, Esme. I think we all needed to hear that.”
She flushed. “I want this club to succeed.”
Rose looked around at all these ladies and realized she wanted that too. “Regardless of whether we find the stolen tablets or if the story is incomplete, we will make the most of what we have for the grand opening.”
Addie nodded. “Agree. Diana and I will devise a plan for handling the grand opening using only the one tablet and Rose’s research. Rose, can you send Sinclair a message to see if there are other avenues to pursue regarding the theft?”
It was the absolute last thing she wanted to do. The thought of being in his presence after he disappeared on her horrified Rose, but she would do it for this group. This time, though, she wouldn’t allow herself to be carried away by him. She’d learned her lesson.
*
Augustus smiled ashis sister stepped into the drawing room of the family house. While some siblings were not close, he and Willa always had a strong bond. It had only been him for the first seven years of his life, and he could still remember vividlywhen their father placed Willa in his arms and told him he was to always care for her.
The duke passed away when Augustus was twenty-two and Willa was fifteen. He’d gone to sleep and not woken up the next day, devastating them all. Augustus didn’t think of that year fondly. A few months before that, Catherine had declined his request for her hand in marriage. The only positive he took away from that part of his life was how close he, Willa, and his mother became.
“This is the second day in a row that you aren’t at your warehouse or off doing something ducal when I enter the drawing room. Dare I say you’re slowing down, brother?”
He snorted. “I don’t have time to slow down.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
Augustus smiled. “You already manage half my tasks. I believe I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
Willa wrinkled her nose in annoyance. “The estate is vast. It is utter nonsense for you to carry it on your shoulders alone when both Mother and I are more than capable of helping.”
And they were. He was grateful for them. “I truly appreciate your assistance, Willa. I only worry that you will wish you had done more ladylike things one day. Most ladies do not enjoy toiling away on business documents.”
She lifted a brow. “I do plenty of ladylike things. Mother insists on it.”
“I meant being open to courtships.”
A delicate snort escaped his sister. Willa was an enigma when it came to matters of the heart. She seemed to hold no interest whatsoever in finding a suitor. At twenty-eight, she’d stopped pretending completely.
Surprising him and changing the subject, she said, “Rose Calvert is an interesting woman.”
Interesting, didn’t come close to explaining his thoughts on Rose, but he wouldn’t share that with Willa. He hadn’t reached out to the female scholar since Derry and Sophia’s week-long party. The last time they were together, he wanted to bury himself between her thighs in the middle of Derry’s library.
His growing and undeniable attraction to her made him act irrationally. Christ, he still wanted to plan a liaison with her, no matter how much he told himself it wasn’t proper. Rose was an innocent, and she could deny it, but part of her reason for being in London was to participate in the marriage mart. Her massive dowry was evidence of it.
“You have much in common with her,” Willa added.
He raised a brow. “What similarities do you see?”
“A love of antiquities.”
He nodded. “That is true.”
“Perhaps she should be a potential option for you.”
He smirked. “She spends half the year living in a tent in the desert. I’m not sure if that is wise.”
Willa nodded and asked, “Did you ever want to travel?”
Every day of his life, he wanted to. It was probably what drew him to import relics, but becoming the duke at twenty-two had made such dreams unrealistic. The world and its history fascinated him. He wanted to see everything. “Maybe I will someday. I’m not in the position to do that now.”
