Addie’s gaze did swing in her direction then. “Why not?”
Rose looked back at her incredulously. “I’m a scholar. Not a lady.”
“You could be both.”
Could she? A flicker of hope flared in her, but then she remembered how he had smiled at Lady Gillings again. There was a familiarity and ease between them that Rose didn’t have with Augustus. Hell, most of the time, they barely got along.
“Rose—”
“I appreciate your concern, but I think what you’re imagining isn’t the case. Sinclair and I are simply associates. I think it is best if we move to another topic.”
Addie smiled at her sadly but nodded. “I sent word to my husband asking for his assistance in obtaining the map of the cave system. I know you said he and Sinclair are working on it, but I thought it might benefit the club to ask for his help formally.”
Rose couldn’t prevent her eyes from widening. Addie smirked at her. “Lord Hawley may not be my favorite person, but I want this exhibit to thrive. The success of this club matters more to me than any need to do this all without him.”
The club founder had done all of this to best her husband. Rose wondered what that meant. Why did she do it if she was so indifferent to the man? As if Addie could hear her thoughts, she said, “He took my best friend as his lover.”
Rose’s eyes flew to her face, and Addie added, “My husband and I hadn’t spoken for years, and then one day my friend went away for months. I didn’t hear much from her but assumed she was off on some grand adventure. She was with my husband.”
“Are you sure?”
Addie chuckled, but Rose suspected it was to cover a deep pain. “Yes, and they made sure all of London was aware.”
Rose found the idea of Hawley flaunting any lady before London odd but didn’t say anything. Wrong was wrong. “We can find another way.”
“No. We need that map, but I hope you and Sinclair can revitalize your search when he returns.”
“We will,” Rose assured.
Addie beamed at her. “Splendid. I have an appointment, so I will leave you here to ponder your work.”
Rose smiled back at her, nodding. After Addi left, she continued to study the tablets. Sinclair would be gone for the rest of the week. Perhaps she would try to find the artifacts on her own while he was away. Rose knew where the illicit markets took place and could send a missive to the men they met with.Yes, that was what she would do. Maybe she would find them and then wouldn’t need Augustus’s help at all.
Even though it was irrational, she felt the need to put some distance between them. She couldn’t watch him court Lady Gillings. Finding the tablets would bring her closer to leaving London—allowing her to escape the growing feelings between her and Augustus.
*
Augustus smiled ashe watched his mother and Willa fawn over their land steward, Bennett Tillerson, who was seated in their drawing room with one leg propped up on a chair. The man took a fall from his horse and down a cliffside. Willa had sent word for Augustus to come immediately, but by the time he reached the estate, the doctor had determined that nothing was permanently broken.
“My lady, I’m fine. Please stop fretting,” Tillerson said grumpily to Willa.
His sister’s eyes flashed at their friend, who was quickly growing tired of all the attention. His mother chuckled at the exchange. Rising, she said, “Mr. Tillerson, we have been hovering too much. I think perhaps we can send you home tomorrow.”
The man flushed, and his face immediately turned contrite. “I appreciate all of the care I have received, Your Grace, but I agree. Now that the doctor has said it is acceptable for me to leave, I would prefer to recover at my home.”
“You must stay off your feet for the next two weeks. Do you think you can do that on your own?” Willa questioned.
The man’s eyes flashed with annoyance, and Augustus had to turn away from the comical sight. Very few men dared to arguewith his sister. She had a no-nonsense air about her that seemed to have been with her since birth.
His mother joined him and whispered, “Say something before they kill each other with their glares.”
He did chuckle then, and Willa’s and Tillerson’s gazes swung their way. He smiled at the man they’d all known since they were children. “Till, would you agree to let us hire someone to care for you for the next two weeks?”
His friend looked like he would refuse, so Augustus added, “Or you could just stay here.”
Tillerson forced a smile. “I would be much obliged for the assistance.”
Willa smirked at the man in victory, happy that their stubborn friend would not be hobbling around by himself. Augustus sighed and extended his arm. “Come, sister, let’s give Till a reprieve from our presence.”
