I'm guessing that a 40 spoke 700 would have to be custom built. Think $$$s. Go for 36 spokes. Widely available. Any decent bike shop can fix you up. Ride for a few days and have the spokes re-tensioned.

BTW, nothing wrong at all with a hybrid for touring. Or with 28c tires as long as you keep pretty much to pavement. Most will recommend at least 32c, but other than slighty more comfortable on rough pavement, I've not found any advantage. They do weigh more.