She kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I don’t want to worry.”
Alice and Jeremy burst through the doorway. The young boy grinned. “Mrs. Louise, Alice said you brought us something.”
His mother laughed, and Thomas had to take a breath to control his emotions. This moment felt so right, even with every bad thing that had happened in the last few weeks. A genuine smile spread across his face as he watched his mother talk with Alice and Jeremy, pulling treats from her bag.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lisbeth walked intothe research room of Seely House. Rose was hunched over an ancient clay tablet. “I thought you deciphered the tablets already.”
Rose glanced up. “I did, but I don’t have Lord Hawley to review my work before the event, so I’m double-checking with the key he provided me.”
Her eyes widened. “Hawley gave you his key?”
She smiled. “He is out of the country working on some project for the London Society of Antiquaries, so he entrusted me with his work.”
“I find that shocking.”
Rose frowned. “I don’t think Lord Hawley dislikes our club as much as his other associates.”
She smiled. “Perhaps.”
Her friend studied her. “How are things?
“Thomas has returned. We are going to try to spend time together over the next thirty days and decide after that.”
Rose beamed, swinging her legs excitedly. Lisbeth rolled her eyes. “I find a loved-up Rose Calvert a bit much.”
The lady in question grinned impishly. “Is it strange how happy I am to be married to Augustus?”
It wasn’t. The Duke of Sinclair loved antiquities as much as Rose. It was clear he was prepared to adjust his life so that his wife could continue to pursue her work in deciphering ancient texts. Lisbeth wasn’t surprised; he had the means to do so.
“When is the wedding?” Lisbeth asked.
Rose groaned and dramatically threw her arms and head down on the table. Lisbeth giggled.
“Not soon enough. I adore Augustus’s mother, but the second and official wedding won’t be for a few more months, and it will be a grand affair.”
“I suspected so. He is the wealthiest duke in all of England. I’m not surprised.”
Rose sat back up and stretched. “I spoke with Thomas a few days ago.”
Lisbeth smiled affectionately at her. “He told me.”
Her friend continued, “I told him that he was behaving abominably and tried to make him understand that as a woman, you didn’t have a choice.”
“It was still wrong,” Lisbeth said quietly.
“It was also wrong that you had no other choices all those years ago.”
Lisbeth smiled at her friend, grateful for her support. “Thomas has said that we can’t dwell on the what-ifs. We need to move forward.”
Rose nodded. “I agree, but don’t shy away from the hard questions or keep it bottled up.”
“You are so wise,” Lisbeth said.
Her friend laughed. “Please be sure to tell Augustus that.”
Sarah popped her head into the room. “Are we ready to discuss the event on the epic? We are all in the office.”
