“We know it is at least partially a love story. The public will love that,” Addie said. “We can inform attendees that we plan to host additional talks as more tablets are discovered.”
Lady Esme turned to Rose. “Do you think Mr. Easton will be able to find the tablets? I wouldn’t want to promise something we can’t deliver.”
Augustus and Rose looked at each other. Rose sighed. “Thomas Easton sent me a letter that explained a map held by the London Society of Antiquaries may provide insight into the location of the tablets.”
“Have we asked them for it?” Diana asked.
Augustus nodded. “Rose and I reached out to Hawley, but he informed us that Lord Harston manages the storage of all relics for the London Society of Antiquaries.
Addie snorted. “It is the vice president. He is not fond of us at all.”
Disappointment flashed across everyone’s face. Augustus said, “Hawley and I have agreed to work on obtaining the map.”
Addie beamed at him. “Thank you, Sinclair. It seems you are becoming an honorary member of our club.”
His gaze darted to Rose, who smiled, amused at Addie’s description. He laughed. “It would seem so.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rose took adeep breath, suddenly nervous about discussing her life’s work. The room was packed equally with men and women. She suspected some of them were from the London Society of Antiquaries based on their sour expression.
Her eyes reached Augustus, and he looked back at her intently. His gaze caused her stomach to churn, not in nervousness but anticipation. She suspected he was still unhappy that she had pushed so hard to do the talk, but his world was different from hers and the ladies of the club.
As a duke, no one would question his judgment if he decided not to do something. Unfortunately, she and the Historical Society for Female Curators ladies were not regarded with the same esteem. If they canceled the grand opening, people would immediately gossip. Rumors would swirl around London that they were in over their heads and couldn’t manage such an ambitious club.
She nodded to him, but his gaze flicked to the entrance, distracted. Rose followed suit and sucked in a breath. Lady Gillings, Augustus’s first love, was in attendance. They were finally going to find each other again. Why did her heart feel like it had just been stabbed? She watched as her handsome duke made his way to the lady. He smiled as he bowed, and the lady demurely beamed back at him.
They were perfect together. This was always going to happen, Rose reminded herself. For a moment, she wished she had toldAugustus sooner that his lost love was in London. She was fooling herself. Rose would never have given up her time with the man. No, it was far too special. She hated that she couldn’t deny such thoughts, but there they were. Somewhere along the way, she’d started to care for the blasted man.
“Are you ready?” Addie asked.
She pushed Augustus from her mind. Rose would not dwell on dukes and their matches. She smiled at the club president. “Yes.”
Addie squeezed her hand. “You will do fantastic.”
Rose followed Addie to the podium as the crush of people grew quiet. She faced them and immediately and uncontrollably searched for Augustus. She wasn’t shocked to see that he sat with the beautiful Lady Gillings. Her gaze quickly roamed over her. Rose hated how lovely the woman was. The lady was the epitome of what a duchess should be.
Enough, Rose scolded herself. She was here to present her talk at the grand opening of Seely House. She would not focus on Augustus or his potential bride. Addie grinned at her and then turned to the attendees. “Welcome to our grand opening. The Historical Society for Female Curators is excited to have you here. Shortly after this talk, the doors to the great exhibit room will open, and you can explore all the artifacts we’ve acquired or are on loan to us. You will see everything from jewels, scrolls, statues, and, of course, our main exhibit. Philologist Rose Calvert is here to discuss that display. Please welcome Miss Calvert.”
Addie stepped out of the way as the majority of the crowd applauded. A few of the men sat with their arms folded, sulking. Rose took a deep breath and said, “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for attending my in-depth talk about recently discovered cuneiform tablets. I have started deciphering them, and I’m excited to share that they contain an epic.”
A lady in the front asked, “What is that?”
Rose smiled at her curiosity. “It is a story that typically features a hero attempting something that seems impossible. In the first two tablets, we meet our hero, Sibri, and he is in love with a princess named Belit. The king discovers the infatuation and tells Sibri that to see the beautiful Belit, he must find a golden fruit.”
“What happens next?” a man seated a few rows back asked.
“Sibri embarks on his journey and is almost stranded in another kingdom, but he is able to escape.”
Another man stood and folded his arms, unimpressed. Addie leaned towards her and whispered, “That is Lord Harston—the Vice President of the London Society of Antiquaries, and cataloguer of all their artifacts.”
No, he certainly didn’t like them based on the sour expression on his face. Why did she think it just became a little more challenging to obtain the map of the cave system?
“Do you expect us to believe that what you deciphered is accurate without having someone review your work?” he sniped.
A flare of annoyance shot through her. Her gaze bounced to Augustus, whose own face was filled with fury, not at her but at Harston. Well, at least he hadn’t forgotten her completely. Still, she would fight her own battles. “Lord Harston, isn’t it?”
The man smirked and nodded. She continued, “I would welcome any review of my work. Perhaps you have developed a key that could be used to validate my findings.”
