One of the men looked at his colleagues. “They are probably trying to return to France.”
The man Augustus quarreled with earlier said, “You have Miss Calvert. We assume you can see her back to her residence and explain why the events that transpired should never be mentioned to anyone.”
Augustus nodded and begrudgingly said, “Thank you for helping us find her.”
A frown filled Rose’s face. “They have my life’s work. They believe they can use my key to decipher a document, but I tried—it isn’t possible.”
Hawley said, “I will go with them and retrieve your research. I’m the one that caused you to become mixed up in this mess.”
Rose beamed. “Thank you.”
The smile she bestowed on the scholar annoyed Augustus. The daft man was the cause of all of this. He didn’t like the gratitude she was directing at him. Possessiveness and the need to protect Rose coursed through him.
The British Secret Service men looked at Hawley, surprised, and Hawley added, “I promise not to get in the way.”
Augustus said to him, “Let’s meet once all has been settled on your end.”
He nodded, and he and the men took off, leaving Rose and him alone. Augustus turned back to Rose, and she sighed. “Don’t give me a lec—”
Not letting her finish, Augustus yanked Rose to him. His lips found hers, hungrily. She let out a little gasp, and he used it to plunge his tongue into her mouth. The kiss deepened until they both pulled back, gasping for breath.
“I thought I’d lost you,” he said gruffly.
Her eyebrows shot up, and he was also shocked by his honesty. He had so much to say to Rose, but there was time for that later. The thought of Rose being harmed had been terrible.
She reached up and stroked his cheek. “I’m fine.”
“I’m taking you to my house.”
“That is rather scandalous.”
He looked at her intently. “My mother and sister are there. They can act as your chaperones. I just want you near me. I will send word to all the ladies at your club and everyone else looking for you.”
Rose sighed. “I suppose there is no use arguing with you.”
He dropped another kiss on her lips. “No. There isn’t.”
“Did they hurt you?” he asked, knowing if she said yes, he would hunt them down himself.
She shook her head. “They were focused on deciphering a message. Is Hawley involved?”
“It is a long story, but I promise to share it once you are settled at my home.”
He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her towards his horse. Augustus wasn’t lying when he said he had the irrational need to touch her continuously. She squeezed his hand back and followed. First, he swung himself back onto his horse and then pulled her up so she was seated in front of him. Augustus kissed her neck, and she leaned against his front.
“I think it will be shocking if we show up in Mayfair like this.”
He snickered, not caring and loving the feel of her pressed against his chest. “Once we reach civilization, I will obtain a carriage and have my horse follow behind.”
She yawned and said, “Thank you, Augustus.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I will always be there for you.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rose was barelykeeping her eyes open when they finally arrived at Augustus’s opulent home in Mayfair. The butler opened the carriage door and bowed at Augustus. “Your Grace.”
Rose found the action absurd after everything that had happened over the last day, but she was more distracted by the massive home. She’d been there before for a ball, but now it seemed more imposing. Was this truly where Augustus lived?
