Chapter Twenty-Six
Lisbeth walked with Addie, Rose, Diana, and Sarah through the grand exhibit room at Seely House. The last two clay tablets had been placed in the exhibit that stood in the middle of the room.
She couldn’t believe it. They had a fully deciphered epic.
The display divided the large room, allowing people to view the tablets and deciphered text on either side.
Addie had proposed employing an artist to render drawings of the world contained in each tablet.
Those sat on small tables on each side of the display.
“I still can’t believe we have the whole story,” Diana said.
Addie hugged Rose. “And it is because of this lady’s talents that we know what it means.”
Rose shrugged. “I’m glad I was able to join the Historical Society of Female Curators.”
She’d officially become a board member in the last week. Sarah and Esme would be traveling for the club, and Rose would step in to fill some of their duties. The door was opened by one of the guards, and Lisbeth turned to see Abbas walking in. She hadn’t seen him since their adventure in Syria.
He gasped as he walked through the room. “This is amazing. I’m delighted that my mother’s culture is being highlighted here.
Lisbeth nodded. “We have Arabic translations and copies of the art for when you travel back to your mother’s village. We thought the Al-Wā?a villagers and your mother would like to have them.”
Abbas beamed. “They would.”
Addie stated, “We are grateful to have the tablets on loan.”
Lisbeth and Rose had worked with Abbas to create an agreement where they would display the tablets on loan from the villages. The villagers would receive a portion of the proceeds, and within three years, the artifacts would be returned to Syria.
Lisbeth walked to the last tablet, which showed Belit and Sibri as much older in their roles as king and queen.
Her mind went back to her moment with Thomas in the carriage.
She’d wanted him desperately last night, but he’d held her off.
Desire coursed through her as she thought about his promise that he wanted them not to be rushed.
Things were going well, but Lisbeth worried that he’d moved on past her deceit too quickly. She feared that he was keeping it bottled up, and it would eventually burst. The worrisome thoughts made her fearful that they could truly move on.
Lisbeth wanted Thomas in her life and as her husband. His relationship with Alice and Jeremy was progressing. While Jeremy had been immediately smitten with him, Alice had warmed up to him as well. Still, she was worried.
She frowned, wondering why she was looking for something to be concerned about.
“Lisbeth, are you joining us for tea in the office?” Sarah asked.
Benjamin Calvert, returned from his travels up north, was in the office discussing plans with Esme.
“Of course. I was just lost in thought.”
“Daydreaming about your famous husband,” Addie said, snickering.
Lisbeth rolled her eyes. She fibbed and said, “Certainly not.”
All the ladies smiled. Abbas joined her while they walked upstairs to the office. “Congratulations, Your Grace. I suspected there was something between you and Mr. Easton while we were on her trip.”
“Thank you, Mr. Abbas. It was a whirlwind.”
“You seem well-suited.”
Her eyes widened. He shrugged. “You do. It is as if the story of the Majnun and Layla has a happy ending.”
Laughter burst from her. “We have been compared to them.”
He grinned. “I know.”
They entered the office to see Esme and Benjamin reviewing a map in the sitting area. Lisbeth was excited for Esme, but somewhat surprised her family was allowing her to travel to Syria. Yes, she was considered a spinster, but still unwed. A family friend, Mrs. Stanton, would be traveling with her.
They all joined them. Rose frowned, looking at the map. “I thought you were traveling to our main excavation site.”
Her father grinned. “Lady Esme here said she’d be open to exploring some other areas. We are considering the cave system Lisbeth and Thomas were just at, or this other location further south with Rafe and Keaton.”
Rose grimaced and said to Esme. “Keaton and Rafe will flirt outrageously with you.”
Esme’s face took on a red hue, and Benjamin added, “They are shameless flirts, but I promise between your chaperone and me, your reputation will remain intact while abroad.”
Lisbeth hoped her chaperone would be diligent, as Benjamin tended to be clueless about flirtations and liaisons occurring around him. Rose assured, “Rafe and Keaton are only flirts. You will have no real concerns from them.”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Esme demurred.
Many exciting events were happening for the Historical Society of Female Curators. Lisbeth was proud of all they’d accomplished. Benjamin stood and beamed at her. “Are we ready to meet with your husband?”
Benjamin had asked to visit with Lisbeth and Thomas at her home. Thomas was like a son to him. She smiled. “Of course.”
He grinned. “I still can’t believe the two of you are married after all these years apart.”
*
Thomas stepped into the Lusby Townhouse, expecting to hear Lisbeth and Benjamin or Alice and Jeremy, but not the hum of several female voices chatting away excitedly.
Was Lisbeth hosting the Historical Society for Female Curators here?
He didn’t think so; they’d made plans to spend the rest of the day with Benjamin.
He was excited to see the man. He’d been in northern England since Thomas arrived in the country. Morrison hurriedly rushed down the foyer to him, looking frazzled. “Mr. Easton, there are ladies in the drawing room, and they are insisting on meeting with you before they depart.”
He frowned. “Who are they?”
Morrison whispered. “I believe they are fans.”
“How many are there?”
“Eight.”
Thomas blanched. “You let eight young ladies in.”
Morrison flushed. “They more or less pushed their way in, insisting they stay.”
Perhaps one of them would be C, Thomas considered. He nodded. “Thank you, Morrison. I will see to it.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t convince them to leave.”
Thomas grinned. “I imagine eight ladies are an overwhelming force to deal with.”
Morrison shuddered. “Sir, I can’t fathom how you handle it all.”
It was starting to wear on Thomas lately. He wouldn’t lie to himself. The first few days of people fawning over him had been flattering, but recently, he’d just wanted peace. Sighing, he headed to the drawing room. Once he reached it, he took a deep breath and entered.
In unison, seven very young women screeched excitedly. There was one comparably older lady, whom he suspected was a chaperone, who grimaced at the noise. They stood and excitedly started talking. A lady who seemed to be leading the craziness whistled. “He can’t hear any of us.”
The older woman shook her head, appearing horrified. The leader of the group said, “I’m Lady Chloe, and we are fans of your serials. We meet every week to discuss your adventures.”
Her name began with a C. Another lady said, “I’m Lady Chelsea, and I have reread your serials more than ten times.”
Christ, another C name. Thomas smiled and said, “How about each of you introduce yourself?”
They did one by one, and of course, there was another C name. He stopped in front of the woman, who was closer to his age. She smiled and mouthed, “Sorry.”
He smiled back. Louder, she said, “Miss Georgina Sanders. I’m Lady Chloe’s companion and chaperone. I apologize that we have descended on your home.”
Thomas nodded and addressed all the young women. “I would ask, ladies, that next time you schedule something. I do have a prior engagement, but don’t fret, I plan to host bi-weekly lectures at my wife’s club, the Historical Society for Female Curators.”
More squeals erupted, and Thomas winced. He wasn’t sure any of these ladies were truly C. Hoping to weed out if someone could be, he asked, “Have any of you ever sent me a letter abroad?”
Lady Chloe’s eyes flared with excitement. “We could have done that?”
More chatter increased. No, he suspected none of these ladies were C. From the text of the missives, that lady seemed far more serious than any of these young women.
Miss Sanders addressed the girls. “We should leave as Mr. Easton has another engagement.”
A young lady said, “Would you at least sign my serial?”
He’d received dozens of these requests since returning to England, but it always startled him that someone would want his signature. “I will sign whatever you have brought, and then I must send you on your way.”
All seven ladies waited while he signed something for each one.
It was four serials, a handkerchief, a card with flowers, and a piece of paper.
Thomas and Morrison began to usher them out into the foyer when Lisbeth and Benjamin entered.
Lisbeth looked around at all the ladies in shock.
Benjamin’s eyes met his, and he started to chortle.
The blasted man delighted in the mess. Still, Thomas couldn’t stop the smile from filling his face. He’d missed him.
As the ladies filed past Lisbeth and Benjamin, only Miss Sanders stopped before her and provided a small curtsy. “Sorry, Your Grace, for the chaos. They wanted to visit the famed Thomas Easton.”
Lisbeth politely nodded. Once the door was shut, she turned back to Thomas and Morrison. The butler said, “Your Grace—Mrs. Easton, I mean, they descended on us.”
Thomas shook his head. “Morrison, it isn’t your fault. I will speak with my wife.”
Morrison looked at Lisbeth, who nodded in agreement. The butler rushed off. Lisbeth lifted a brow. “Should I expect ladies to call upon you daily?”
Benjamin snickered and said, “I will join the two of you in the drawing room. I know where you keep the brandy, Lisbeth.”
They waited for him to leave the foyer, and Thomas peered at her. He’d expected her to laugh at the chaos, but the emotions emitting from her seemed darker. His eyes widened. “You can’t be jealous of those ladies, Lizzie. I’m not sure if they are even out for the season.”
“I’m sure not all your fans are so young.”
He strode to her, grasping her chin. “You are the only lady I want.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure? It appears you could have a lady for every day of the week.”
Thomas, unable to stop himself, brushed a light kiss over her lips. “It is only you that torments my thoughts.”
Desire flared between them, and unable to stop himself, Thomas said, “I’ve arranged something for us tomorrow. A date for you and me to be completely alone.”
She gulped, and his eyes flicked down, lingering on her throat, wishing he could run his lips down it.
“Are you ever going to join me?” Benjamin hollered from the drawing room, breaking their stare off.
They both stepped back from each other, and Thomas said, “Until tomorrow, wife.”