Augustus eyed him curiously. “I wouldn’t ever take you as a man to be involved in a tussle.”
A smile flitted across his face. “I’m not. I wish I was doing something heroic, but in truth, I was caught in the middle of the fight. I’m glad all of this is over. I can return to my research.”
“Does that mean the British Secret Service has no more use for you?”
“Certainly, no more use for ancient text. It was a foolish idea. I told them that when they showed up at my door. I know I’m to meet with you and my wife’s club, but I wanted to informyou that both men were apprehended. They were arrested for smuggling.”
Augustus nodded. “Rose and I did as you asked. We didn’t mention the test and stuck to it being associated with smugglers who heard the rumor.”
Hawley smirked. “The British Secret Service will be happy.”
“Are you sure it is completely over?”
The scholar sighed. “Yes, no one will be going after Miss Calvert again. Our meeting tomorrow should completely resolve this matter for me, you, and the Historical Society for Female Curators.”
“What about the map?” Augustus asked.
Hawley sighed. “I’ve tried everything to get Harston to release it. He is adamant that he will not give it to the club. The man has too much clout at the London Society of Antiquaries for me to force it. He is already furious with me for backing Rose’s research.”
An idea was forming in Augustus’s mind. It had to do with the one person Harston couldn’t refuse. “Can I ask you to call on someone with me in a few days? I think I have an idea.”
“Of course. I want Adelaide and the club to succeed. I know she doesn’t believe me, but I truly do.”
Hawley always seemed to take great care not to prevent his wife from doing something. If it was any other couple, Augustus would suspect it was love, but they’d been permanently separated for years. The man he was studying sighed. “Believe it or not, there was a time when my wife and I had the highest level of admiration for each other. I realize I have hurt Adelaide recently with my pursuit of a close associate of hers. It wasn’t my intent, but I can’t fix it now. I simply want to help if I can.”
Augustus nodded but didn’t ask any further questions. It was apparent Hawley had no interest in rehashing his life choices.
Later that afternoon, Augustus visited Devons and Derry in their office at the Den. They both smirked at him as he walked through the door. Once settled, he lifted a brow.
“Yes?”
“Is Rose Calvert still at your house?”
He scowled at them, causing them both to smirk. “My mother and sister are there to chaperone.”
Devons snorted and Augustus said, “I wonder if people find it odd that you and your betrothed are neighbors.”
His friend laughed. Derry grinned. “It is nice to see you besotted.”
Augustus sighed. “I am. I care for her deeply.
“So, will you court her?” Devons asked.
“I’m still thinking about it. I don’t want to stifle Rose’s goals by making her my duchess.”
“You have a right to be happy, Sinclair. Yes, your dukedom has more property entailed to it than most, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend your life miserable,” Derry said.
He sighed, and Devons asked, “Have you told her how you feel?
“I asked her to think about staying in England.”
Derry and Devons looked at each other, frowning. Annoyance surged in him. “What is it now?”
“Did you tell her you love her? Do you love her?” Derry asked.
He remained silent. Augustus was terrified to say those words, not because he doubted his feelings but because he knew once he said them, everything would change.
Devons sighed. “Now is the time for grand heartfelt statements.”
