He frowned, and she sighed. “They are just some young women hoping to catch a glimpse of you. Don’t fret.”
Addie smiled. “I’m so excited, Easton, that you will be presenting lectures here.”
Thomas reluctantly turned away from Lisbeth and said, “I think it is the perfect way to spend my spare time. Lisbeth and I are building an estate just outside the city that will keep me mostly occupied. These lectures will fill the rest of my time.”
Rose nodded. “You will be a great fit.”
Addie giggled loudly. “I bet the London Society of Antiquaries is green with envy.”
Thomas smiled. “They’ve asked me more than once to partner with them.”
“You had no interest?” Sarah Martin asked. “They are a very prestigious organization.”
Thomas glanced at Lisbeth. “They said I would have to ask my wife to step down from your board.”
All the women gasped, and Lisbeth frowned. “You didn’t tell me that.”
He shrugged. “I never planned to join them.”
“I would be furious if you did,” Rose replied.
He laughed. “I know.”
Addie said, “Are we ready to go for the event to reveal the end of the epic?”
Both Rose and Lisbeth nodded. Rose explained, “Lisbeth will explain how they found the last two tablets and then introduce me. I will reveal the rest of the story.”
Thomas asked, “Is it necessary that Lisbeth present?”
The room went quiet. They all stared at him, shocked. Thomas flushed. “I have concerns that one of my admirers may harm Lisbeth.”
Annoyance flared in her that Thomas had brought this up to the board members. The ladies all stared at Lisbeth, and Addie asked, “Do you have the same concern?”
She frowned at him before turning back to the ladies. “I suppose it is a possibility, but I would still like to present. It is important.”
Thomas scowled, displeased. Lisbeth turned to him. “Thomas, when I said I was leaving London before the exhibit previously, you told me not to give up something I care so much about. You can’t ask me to do it now.”
“It wasn’t dangerous then,” he bit out.
“It is important to me that I stay and contribute,” Lisbeth reiterated.
The ladies studied her, but each of them eventually nodded in agreement. Rose said, “We are with you, Lisbeth.”
She was grateful to have these ladies in her life. Lisbeth beamed. Thomas sighed. “As you wish, but we need to ensure there are plenty of guards.”
She smiled at him, not wanting to argue, knowing he was simply worried because he loved her.
*
Thomas knocked onLisbeth’s bedchamber door. It was late, but he had to see her. She said, “Enter.”
He stepped into the space, his eyes roaming over her. She was only dressed in a thin nightgown. His body started to hum. Desire pounded through him. He’d removed his jacket and cravat before visiting her.
She tilted her head and studied him. “I thought you were upset with me.”
When Thomas left Seely House, he’d been angry and frustrated, but eventually, he’d calmed down. Ultimately, it was Lisbeth’s choice, and he would support her. He shrugged and sat, removing his shoes. “I don’t like your decision, but I moved on. Did you think I left to go sulk?”
Lisbeth flushed. He suspected that was precisely what she thought, and truthfully, he had for a moment. After that, he went about his day, which was busy but productive. He raised a brow. “Perhaps you thought I was off partying it up with my admirers, bemoaning my wife.”
