Augustus and Rose glanced at each other. He turned back to his friend, the president of the Historical Society for Female Curators, and said, “Hawley is assisting the British Secret Service. He should be able to provide an update today or tomorrow.”
Addie wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe that he has any connections with them.”
Lady Esme asked, “Was it a smuggling ring?”
Augusta stuck to his plan with Rose and said, “Likely. After these men are caught, the threat should be minimal.”
Lisbeth brightened. “That means Rose can return to my townhouse.”
He shook his head. “Not yet. Let’s wait until Hawley confirms it is safe.”
Lisbeth smiled at him, amused, but said nothing. Miss Martin asked, “Do you think they can retrieve the tablets and Rose’s research? How wonderful would that be?”
Rose nodded, excitement filling her face. “It would be splendid.”
“We would still need to find the other tablets in Syria to complete the epic. Perhaps once Rose finishes her work here, she can travel back to where they were discovered and see if she can find the other ones,” Lisbeth stated.
“We need to get the map from the London Society of Antiquaries first,” Addie pointed out.
“Your husband and I are still working on that,” Augustus shared.
All the ladies’ eyes lit up with excitement. Lady Esme said, “That would be wonderful. Regardless, I suspect Rose will be off on an adventure soon. I wish it were me.”
Rose didn’t agree but instead said, “Someday, you will have to join.”
Even if she wasn’t leaving immediately, the conversation reminded Augustus she would eventually want to depart England. This life and world were temporary for her. Lady Esme smiled at her excitedly. “I would love that.”
The ladies went back to talking to each other, and he turned back to Devons, who was studying him. He raised a ducal brow at him. His friend sighed. “Don’t do something noble. If you care for her, tell her.”
Being honest, he said, “And what, ask her to give up her life for one here? How long would it take before she loses her excitement for London?”
“Why can’t you have both worlds?”
Augustus smiled at him. “I’m a duke.”
Devons groaned. “You sound like a pompous ass.”
“My life is filled with vast amounts of responsibility.”
Devons took a drink but shook his head. “Only you can decide what is best, but it would be a damn shame if you waited this long for love and passed on it.”
“I wasn’t waiting for love.”
A snort escaped Devons. He sighed but turned back to watching Rose. He wanted her and was beyond denying that to himself, but how did he make it work without taking everything away from her? He couldn’t bear the thought of her zest for life fading from her being as she became immersed in day-to-day duchess duties.
He wasn’t hesitating because he doubted his feelings for Rose but because he cared for her too much to force her into a life that would smother her. Augustus sipped his brandy, still not knowing what he would do.
Chapter Thirty-One
Later in theday, after everyone departed, Rose wandered down the hallway, taking in all the portraits along the walls. The paintings of Augustus’s family and their ancestors stared back at her. It appeared that his family line went back generations.
She swallowed and studied everything around her. The opulence of his home was staggering. Rose had spent weeks with Augustus, but not once did she imagine this was who this man was when he wasn’t looking for artifacts with her.
There was nothing wrong with who he was or that he was a duke, but her heart cracked a little because as much as she wanted the man, she wasn’t sure she could fit in here—in his life. As she walked, a servant passed her silently.
“Excuse me, do you know where I could find His Grace?”
The maid’s eyes rounded. “One moment please, Miss Calvert.” Then she spoke with another male servant, who looked at her and then rushed off.
