“And the countess? All is well with her and your child also, Lord Raine?”
Gabe smiled. “They are both well. My son will be called Elliot, among other names.”
“It is a lovely name, my lord.”
She would ask after Dimity and the babe when all else around her was mayhem. Ruby thought of others constantly.
“Tell her now,” Gabe said softly. “Just in case, cousin.”
“Tell me what?” Ruby turned in her seat to look at Forrest.
There was no easy way to say what he believed to be true, so he simply told her what he had learned in Lithgow’s study.
“I found a ledger in Lord Lithgow’s study. We believe he is one of the men behind this. In the ledger there was a name. Ezekiel Knight.”
Her eyes were wide now and locked on his.
“We cannot be sure it is your father, Ruby—”
“But you believe it is because I doubt there would be many with that name in England?”
“That’s my belief.”
She swallowed.
“I’m sorry—”
“I understand.” The words were a hoarse whisper.
He moved closer, until their legs brushed, offering her what little comfort he could.
They left their horses tethered in some trees and walked in.
“You stay behind us.” When she didn’t move, Forrest pushed her to his back.
It was dark now, but the moon was high, and anyone could see them.
“Past the stable,” Ruby whispered. “The house is beyond that.”
They all held their pistols. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed Ruby held hers.
“Do not shoot anyone.”
He couldn’t be sure but thought she rolled her eyes. They reached the side of the building and crouched in the shadows.
“We have no idea how many men are inside, but if Ruby can get us in, we will have the element of surprise,” Gabe said.
“I know how to get back to the room I was in, and also into the passageway,” Ruby said.
“That will do. We can subdue men as we come across them.”
“And find the women if there are more,” Ruby added.
“And find the women,” Forrest agreed.
“See that door, it takes you into the kitchens. I came out that way.”
They moved as one to the door. Gabe opened it, and then slipped silently inside. A woman was singing loudly, but no one else was in the room. Ruby stepped around Forrest before he could stop her and headed to another door. Nathan gripped his arm when he wanted to grab her and shook his head.
