Well, at least Lisbeth was. Thomas, not so much. Who knew what reckless escapade he was immersed in? Years ago, when she’d first met Lisbeth, the duchess had been the reckless one, with Thomas chasing after her to be sensible. Time certainly changed things, she mused.
“What are you over there looking all serious about?” Esme asked.
The young woman had a flush to her face that Rose suspected meant she was feeling quite tipsy. She didn’t blame her. “I’m thinking about how much I will miss all of you.” She chuckled.
“And a duke,” Addie said, swaying around the room as if she could hear someone playing a piano.
All the women giggled, and Rose reddened. Were her feelings for the man that obvious? She shook her head. “No. Of course, I’m glad I met Sinclair, but it is nothing more.”
Sarah and Diana snorted. Rose frowned. “We are friends, that is all.”
Diana plopped down next to her on the sofa. “My betrothed once said we were each other’s closest friends, nothing more.”
“Then he took me to a secluded cove, and now, I’m about to marry him,” Diana added with a wink as all the ladies chortled.
Rose giggled even though her heart ached. She was letting Augustus go because it was the right choice for him. “I wish I was able to attend your wedding.”
Diana winked at her. “I have a feeling you will be back.”
Addie beamed. “As do I.”
Rose smiled at all of them. “Regardless of whether I return, I want you all to know that you mean so much to me.”
The ladies all hugged her, making Rose all watery-eyed. Her time in London had undoubtedly changed so much in her life.
Later that evening, Rose sat with Lisbeth in the drawing room of her townhouse. This was her last night before she departed for Tuscany and then on to the Syrian port of Latakia. A guard would be traveling with her until she reached her first stop. She would meet with Thomas there, and they would travel the rest of the way back to the current excavation site where her father was working. “I can’t believe you will be visiting us.”
“Only if Harston provides a map. He told his wife he would, but it could be next week, month, or year.”
“My father would love to see you again.”
Lisbeth smiled, and they both kept quiet about Thomas. Rose didn’t know how he would handle it. Her thoughts were interrupted by Alice and Jeremy rushing in. Rose had grown to really like Lisbeth’s two children. They were bundles of energy.
“We wanted to say goodbye to Rose,” Alice said.
Lisbeth smiled. “Quickly, you need your sleep.”
Shocking Rose, each of them hugged her, and Alice exclaimed, “Maybe someday I will come visit you.”
The duchess’s eyebrows shot up, and Rose wanted to laugh but stopped herself. “I would like that. Maybe when you are older.”
“Much older,” Lisbeth added.
Jeremy giggled, and Alice frowned at her. “Rose told us you were only eighteen when you started working with her.”
Rose wanted to sink into her chair and mouthed an apology to Lisbeth. Her friend sighed and said, “We’ll see. Now off to bed.”
They raced out of the room, and Rose said, “They are good children.”
Lisbeth nodded. “They are.”
They both sipped their drinks, and Lisbeth said, “I can’t believe you are leaving. I honestly thought you would stay.”
“I have loved the club.”
Lisbeth studied her intently. “I’m not talking about the club. I’m talking about Sinclair.”
Shocking herself and not wanting to hold in her feelings any longer, Rose said, “His first love is out of mourning. Lady Gillings is perfect for him.”
