“I love you too.”
…
The park was not a long journey from Nobby Lane, but still the walk needed to be undertaken slowly. They took many breaks for Adam to rest. He was stronger than he had been when first she’d smuggled him out of their family home. After thirteen years of being forced to stay in his room and walk nowhere his muscles had been withered and weak, so they’d need to build up his strength.
Adam had been locked away in his room, unseen and an embarrassment to his family… well, most of them. Ruby had visited him constantly, and Ezekiel she now knew too, trying to keep his spirits up. He had often been dosed on laudanum to keep him bedridden, but he would never suffer like that again she vowed.
Now Ruby made him walk, even back and forth in their small room, and on her days off she got him outside.
“’Tis wonderful to feel the sun on my face,” Miss Kent said.
Ruby and Adam were accompanied by Mrs. Chen, Mr. Winston, and Miss Kent. The others had wanted to stay home and await news of how much the Amble sisters managed to get for some of the stolen items.
“It is a lovely day,” Mr. Winston added.
He walked beside Adam, dressed in his wonderful loose clothing. Mrs. Chen walked ahead of them with Miss Kent. She wore a black dress and bonnet. She had not worn color since her husband passed away ten years ago. Miss Kent wore gray, as she always did.
The sky was indeed clear, and while there was still a breeze, it was lovely. She had not slept well and woken worrying about her position as Ella’s tutor. Of course, she could do nothing about that until tomorrow, but still the worry was there. Things were just starting to come right for her and Adam; losing this position now would be devastating.
But surely after Mr. Howarth and his cousins found her last night, and her erratic behavior, they would have questions over her suitability.
Not to mention the fact she was now also a thief. Of course they did not know that but still… she was.
“I’ll be famished by the time I get there,” Adam thankfully interrupted her thoughts.
“You are always famished,” Ruby teased him. “And I have bread and butter, so you will not go hungry.”
She also carried his drawing supplies and a blanket for them to sit on. For today, she would make herself believe that everything was going to be all right. Tomorrow she would worry about her job and life behind bars.
The part of the park they frequented usually had families and children who were not well-to-do, and others who did not frequent the high end of society. They reached the pond, and she spread out the blanket. Adam sat, grateful to be off his legs.
It was as they were eating their bread and butter that Ruby heard the loud woof. Turning, she found Walter bounding their way, ears flapping, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.
Mrs. Chen shrieked.
“He’s friendly.” Ruby rose to her feet. “He belongs to the people I work for.”
Her eyes searched for whoever was walking him, hoping it was one of the staff in the Deville household. Her heart sank when she saw Mr. Howarth, Ella, and Lord and Lady Raine. With them were Mr. and Mrs. Dillinger and their son, Toby, who she had often seen in the Deville townhouse. He spent time with her and Ella when they were visiting.
“Excuse me while I take him back to them.”
“But I would like to meet Walter,” Adam said.
The dog reached them and greeted Ruby like she was his favorite person, which he did to most of the people he liked.
“What a bonny fellow,” Miss Kent said as Walter moved to sit before her.
She was eating a slice of bread and butter, which of course made her a great deal more appealing.
Looking to where the Deville party was, she noticed they were approaching. Grabbing Walter, she attempted to tug him away from Miss Kent, but as Adam was scratching between his ears, he was not inclined to move.
“I need to take him back to his owners.”
“He does not appear to want to go,” Adam said.
“Come along, Walter.” She tugged; he did not move so much as an inch.
“Ruby!” Ella was now running toward her. She stopped on the edge of their blanket, dressed in a white dress with a straw bonnet. On her hands were white gloves. She looked sweet and innocent.
