“Then tomorrow we talk to Geraint, after my child has been born and my wife is back to full health.”
“She will not be back to full health immediately, Gabe.”
“I know. Talk to me, Forrest.”
He sat and told them everything he knew.
“So Ruby knows about us… well, some of it anyway,” Michael said.
“She will tell no one,” Forrest said.
“I know that.”
“And you say she and the other residents broke into Lord Amble’s house to steal for his elderly aunts, who are now living with Miss Knight and her brother at 11 Nobby Lane?” Michael took a large mouthful of brandy after that question.
“Yes, they did.”
“Well, things have been a bit slow of late,” Michael drawled.
“I’m not condoning theft, but in this circumstance, I say good job,” Nathan said.
“I told her that, actually.”
“Adam and Ruby can stay here for now. We will find them more accommodating lodgings when they are safe,” Michael said.
“I doubt her independence will allow her to stay here for more than a night,” Forrest said.
But he wanted her under his roof. Wanted her safe. Both her and Adam. In fact, he felt a desperate need to ensure her good health continued. When she’d told him about that man, and how easily he could have harmed her, or taken her from him, Forrest felt ice-cold.
“That man who she talked to in the carriage had to have been in league with the Merchant,” he said. “It all adds up, especially as he forced Ruby to deliver whatever she did that night we saved those women,” Gabe said.
“You have a funny look on your face, Forrest,” Gabe said.
“It has been a trying day,” Forrest said.
“Or,” Gabe said, “you care very much for our Miss Knight, and that is making you nervous. Fear for what may have happened, and fear that someone may still come after her is what you are feeling.”
“I believe we spoke on this before and I asked you not to raise the subject again.” He’d admitted to himself he cared for Ruby, but as yet he did not know what he would do about it. However, that he would do something was inevitable.
“The man doth protest overmuch,” Nathan said.
“What is her story?” Michael asked.
Forrest exhaled.
“Tell us,” Nathan said. “It may help to unburden yourself, as clearly you are tied in knots. There is a great deal more to her story than just living at 11 Nobby Lane. After all, she has many siblings and parents and does not live with them. She also supports her brother.”
“She shouldn’t tie me in knots,” he conceded.
“Because she is a tutor?” Gabe asked. His eyes then shot to the ceiling, and he walked away and left the room.
“What’s he doing?” Forrest asked.
“He goes up there to listen at the door,” Nathan said. “If this is how painful it is when your wife has a child, I’m not sure I want Beth to have any. As it is, I worry for her being in that room.”
“Yes, because it’s extremely painful for you, after all,” Michael drawled. “Freya is luckily visiting with her uncle, or she would likely be in there too.”
“You know what I mean. To know they are suffering is hell,” Nathan added.
