The matter had just been decided, in the wordless way that gentlemen decided things. Her translation would be accepted. Her heart lifted.
“It was a pleasure and an honor to meet you, Lady Hatherly,” said Mr. Carey. “We are so very pleased to accept your gift of your grandfather’s manuscripts.”
“They belong in your library, for others to study,” she said. “They belong in India.”
Mr. Vidyasagar nodded emphatically. “And we will be pleased to take your translation into consideration when we begin the process of seeking to publish portions of the Kama Sutra for a small, select audience.”
“Thank you.”
“Shall we be going, my love?” Nick said.
Alice rather thought they should. The two scholars still appeared shocked and dazed by the news that a woman had written about such enthusiastic subjects.
As they left, Nick reached behind her and squeezed her bum.
“Nick! We’re in a public building. There are learned professors about.”
“I forgot.” He leaned down. “I’m so completely and utterly in love with you, Dimples, that sometimes I forget I can’t make love to you whenever and wherever I please, and spectators be damned.”
They emerged from the cool, stone building into the humid heat. “I think we’ve shocked everyone enough for one day,” Alice said.
Nick threaded his fingers through hers as they walked along the banks of the River Hooghly.
“Why did you do it, Nick? It wasn’t what we agreed upon.”
“Because someone needs to know that the most brilliant linguist in the world decided to marry the likes of me.”
Later, lying in bed, with Nick’s arms twined around her, Alice dissolved into giggles.
“What are you laughing about, Dimples?”
“I was remembering the look on Mr. Carey’s face when I began reading from the Kama Sutra.”
“You were magnificent.”
She kissed his cheek. “So were you.”
“Does that mean I’m forgiven?”
“I didn’t say that.”
His mouth claimed hers with an urgency that took her breath away.
“How about now, Dimples?” he asked, several minutes later.
“Not yet.”
Several hours later they lay exhausted, slick with sweat and breathing heavily, limbs tangled together in the center of the bed.
“Now?” Nick asked.
“I’m not sure . . .”
Nick groaned. “You’re insatiable, Dimples.”
Alice’s heart sang with happiness as she drifted to sleep in Nick’s arms.
They were in love.
They had a whole wide world to explore. And Alice was ready for their next grand adventure.