He asked, “Have you found a new partner?”
His friends shook their heads, both sighing. Devons explained, “Everyone who has made Miller an offer doesn’t suit.”
Augustus nodded. “That matters. You don’t want someone attempting to change things too much.”
Both Derry and Devons nodded. Devons asked, “Any luck on the tablets?”
Augustus sighed. “No, I need to connect with Ros—I mean, Miss Calvert—to determine the next steps.”
His friends glanced at each other, and he sighed. “What is it?”
“You do really like her,” Derry said, grinning like a fool.
Was he truly that transparent to everyone who knew him? Still, Augustus didn’t deny it. “I didn’t realize my friends were so interested in my love life.”
“All of London is interested,” Devons snickered.
“I find Miss Calvert to be exceptional.”
Both men’s eyes widened at his declaration.
“The great Duke of Sinclair will finally claim a bride to be his duchess. I have to tell Sophia,” Derry mused.
“Don’t tell her yet. I’m not sure what will come of it.”
“You do plan to woo her, correct?” Devons pointed out.
“You aren’t getting any younger,” his other friend added to needle him.
He glared at him, causing both men to chuckle.
“Asking someone successful in her own right to take on the responsibilities of becoming a duchess is a very serious request.”
Devons shook his head. “That is complete shit, Sinclair. You are one of the wealthiest men in all of England. You can make it work and hire more staff.”
“I have responsibilities,” he bit out.
“So, you will let her go?” Derry questioned.
“I’m trying to be logical about how it will work.”
Donahue, the loyal butler of the Den, stepped through the door, and Sinclair suspected that trouble was brewing at the gentlemen’s club. His stomach dropped, and his heart began to pound when Addie, Diana, and Lisbeth followed him in. Where was Rose?
He, Devons, and Derry knew almost immediately something was wrong. Augustus demanded, “Where is she?”
“Rose has been taken. She met with someone at Seely House tonight. That man knocked out the guards on duty, and now she is missing.”
Addie handed him a note. “This was found in the research room.”
Miss Calvert,
I have information that may be of interest to you. I ask that we meet privately before sharing the details more broadly. I will visit you at Seely House at seven this evening.
Bradford
Fury and concern flared in him. Why the fuck did she do this alone? She knew he would be back by the end of the week. The reckless and determined woman would be the death of him.
“Bradford is from one of the markets we visited together.”
