Chapter Thirteen
Lisbeth sat with the rest of the board members of the Historical Society for Female Curators.
They were drinking tea in the sitting area of their office at Seely House.
Rose had just finished explaining what one of the two tablets Lisbeth had brought back to England revealed.
She was a renowned philologist who had developed a key to decipher the ancient cuneiform texts.
Sarah Martin sighed, “So our hero makes it back to the princess.”
Rose grinned. “Finally. I suspect that the last tablet is the battle between our hero and the king.”
Lady Esme shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe we have the entire epic. The London Society of Antiquaries will be so envious.”
Addie, wife of Lord Hawley and member of said club, giggled loudly. Her laugh was infamous throughout society. It tended to carry and had a distinct sound. Lisbeth couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped her.
Sighing, Addie said, “And what a story it is. First, the hero falls in love with the princess, and the king discovers their secret. He then sends our hero on a quest for the golden fruit. After enduring all that, he makes his way back to fight the king and win the princess and the kingdom.”
“Well, I haven’t deciphered the last tablet,” Rose pointed out. “It could end horribly.”
Diana Devons, previously Lady Hensley, sighed. “No, it will end happily. I know it.”
Addie giggled. “You are newly married. All you see is love.”
Diana grinned sheepishly. “I can’t deny it.”
“So is Rose,” Lisbeth said.
Rose blushed. “Married and will be married again in some grand church.”
“Most ladies would love that,” Lady Esme pointed out.
Rose scrunched up her nose, and all the ladies giggled.
Addie’s butler, Harrison, entered the room. Lisbeth wasn’t sure if he was truly her butler or more a man of affairs. He seemed always to be not far from her.
“My lady, a special cut of the newspaper has arrived. I know you like to be apprised of events that London society is following.”
Addie smiled and took the paper. Harrison didn’t linger. She glanced down and gasped. Her hand covered her mouth. Lisbeth frowned. “What is it?”
“A telegraph was sent that Thomas Easton will be arriving in London in two days,” she said, turning the paper to show them.
The Famed Explorer Returns was written across the top in bold letters.
Lisbeth’s heart hammered. Thomas was returning to London.
She should have told him about Alice. He would quickly discover the truth.
She blinked rapidly, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions—it was a combination of terror and excitement.
Rose leaned over and grabbed the paper, reading the words. When she was done, she glanced up. “It doesn’t say why he is returning.”
Their night together flashed in her mind. Her heart pounded, and her stomach fluttered at the memory. He wasn’t returning for her, Lisbeth told herself. That would be ridiculous. Yet, she, herself, had lain in bed every night thinking of him and wishing he were by her side.
Addie shook her head. “The ton is going to be in a tizzy. Imagine all the ladies that will be throwing themselves at him—widows, debutants, and married ladies.”
Her chest felt tight. It didn’t matter that he was coming to London. Maybe they wouldn’t see each other. That was possible. Her eyes connected with Rose’s, who was looking at her with concern. “Did he mention coming back?” she asked.
Lisbeth answered, “No. Last I spoke with him, he and his associate Rafe were headed somewhere else in Syria.”
“Do you think he will do a talk for the Historical Society for Female Curators?” Esme asked.
Sarah Martin groaned. “I hope he doesn’t join the London Society of Antiquaries.”
Rose scowled. “He would never do that.”
Lisbeth only partially listened to the chatter around her. Thomas would be here soon. She had to see his mother before he reached London. Why didn’t she tell him the whole truth in Syria? Because he will hate you, she reminded herself.
Regret flared in her, and she bit her lip, knowing the truth would end any reconciliation between them. Reconciliation? She’d left Thomas in Syria, planning to see him never again. Hadn’t she? She needed to think and be alone.
Lisbeth rose to her feet, startling everyone. She forced herself to smile. “I must go. I have an appointment that I just remembered.”
Addie asked, “Will you return?”
“I don’t think so, but I will be back tomorrow.”
She headed to the door, hoping she wasn’t causing a scene. Lisbeth reached the bottom of the grand staircase when Rose said, “Lisbeth.”
Turning back, she saw that her friend’s face was filled with concern. Rose rushed down the stairs, stopping in front of her. Lisbeth waited.
“Do you know why he is returning?”
Lisbeth shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“You seem upset.”
She was, but also, a hum of need coursed through her. It was as if her body refused to allow her to keep Thomas in the past. Or was it her heart?
“Lisbeth?” Rose said, concern flaring in her eyes.
She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ve too much to do, is all.”
“If you need anything, will you let me know?”
Lisbeth forced herself to calm down. “I will. Truly, I’m fine.”
Rose looked as if she wanted to say something else, but Addie called her from the office. Lisbeth squeezed her hand. “I’m fine. Go, Rose.”
Her friend frowned at her but went. Lisbeth walked towards the door. She took a deep breath. Thomas would be in London in a few days. She needed to tell him the truth as soon as possible. He deserved that. Pain pierced her heart because she suspected Thomas could forgive many things, but not this.
*
Thomas sat in the small pub in Guernsey. The small island was their last stop before they arrived back in England. Word had traveled quickly that he was on the ship. Women and men both greeted him everywhere he went. The serials couldn’t truly be that successful, were they?
A server with her bosom on full display sashayed towards him. He looked down, not wanting to give her a hint of encouragement.
“Mr. Easton, is there anything you need?”
He lifted his head and had to admit she was quite beautiful. Still, she wasn’t Lisbeth. No, this woman was stunning in her own way with her hourglass figure, brown curly hair, and heart-shaped face. Yet, he felt nothing. He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
Disappointment flashed on her face, and she walked away. Matthison hollered, “I could use another pint.”
She didn’t look back. His friend laughed. “Imagine how insane it will be in London. Guernsey is a small island. Is your lady worth your attention? You could pick any woman you want or multiple.”
Lisbeth was the only woman he wanted. He would show her that loving and choosing each other after all these years was the right thing to do. They’d taken different paths for reasons out of their control, but now they could do as they liked.
“She is worth it. I love her.”
Matthison choked on his drink. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“We grew up together, and then she married another in England.”
His friend nodded. “And you became the famous explorer Thomas Easton.”
He shrugged. “Something like that.”
“Have you ever heard of the Arabic tale about the Majnun and—”
Thomas groaned. “Yes, I’ve heard the story.”
Matthison grinned and held up his hands. “Ignore me. I didn’t know it was a sensitive subject.”
“You are not the first to bring it up to me,” he complained.
“Will you go see her right away?”
Thomas wasn’t sure what he would do. Part of him thought it was better to enter Lisbeth’s life slowly, but he also wanted to arrive at her doorstep and confess all his feelings.
They were mature adults, both being in their early thirties.
Dramatics may not be the best course of action.
Still, wasn’t one supposed to put on a big show when they found love?
He wasn’t sure about anything, to be honest. “I don’t know. ”
“You need a grand gesture,” Matthison said.
He smirked. “Are you a love expert now? You’ve not mentioned that at all on our voyage.”
“Hell no. I’m good without the affliction you are suffering from.”
Thomas laughed. A man approached their table clutching a serial. It was the fifth one since they’d entered the pub. “Mr. Easton, would you sign this for me?”