When the man had been dragged from the room, his head making a satisfying clunk against the doorframe as Mr. Wilson and Mr. Zwart removed him, Forrest shook his fist a few times to get the feeling back into it. Before coming to London, he’d been a peaceful man for the most, but lately he’d found himself behaving the opposite.
“Ruby?” He moved to where she stood with Miss Kent in her arms. “Is she all right?”
He didn’t like to think of the gentle, timid woman he’d met that day in the park hurting.
“She is unhurt barring a few bruises from his fists.” The rage in Ruby’s voice reached all corners of the room.
“Miss Kent, I need to ask you a few questions. Will you allow me to do that?”
She eased out of Ruby’s arms, and he looked at the bruise forming on her chin, and the devastation in her eyes and wanted to go into the hallway and punch the man again.
“I will answer your questions, M-Mr. Howarth.”
“What is his name?” Forrest asked in a soft voice.
“Mr. Sydney Turnip.”
“And will you tell me how it is you know this man, and why he was here hurting you?”
“H-He wanted to wed me, Mr. Howarth, but my brother, who I lived with, would not allow it. Mr. Turnip’s family are farmers, and they have a fearful reputation for meanness. When I refused him, he slaughtered some of my brother’s cows and told me he would be going after my brother next. I could not have anything else happening, you see.”
“So you ran away to keep them safe?” Just like Ruby had run to keep Adam safe.
It disgusted Forrest what men had forced these women to do.
“I did. I have not seen my family for two years, but I thought it safe to send word I was well. It’s my belief Sydney Turnip intercepted that letter somehow.”
“I am going to make sure he can no longer hurt you, Miss Kent, and when that is ensured, then you can go home to your family.”
“H-He’s a murderer,” the woman whispered.
“Pardon?”
“Old Mr. P-Parson owned the land they wanted. He was f-found shot dead in his house. Everyone knows it was Sydney Turnip who did it, but no one can prove it.”
She started to weep then, violently in Ruby’s arms.
“I need to go now, Ruby. I will make sure this man can hurt Miss Kent no more.” He hoped he could make good on that promise.
“Thank you again.” Their eyes met and held briefly, and in that moment, he needed to touch her. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her soft cheek.
“Don’t do anything reckless tonight.”
“I shall try.”
He nodded, that would have to do. Forrest then walked out of the room. He didn’t want to leave her or Miss Kent but knew he must.
There was a small crowd on the landing when he arrived. A gentleman he didn’t know but guessed was Mr. Zwart, who Mr. Winston had mentioned, was kneeling on Sydney Turnip.
“He’s subdued, Mr. Howarth,” Mr. Winston said. “But awake.”
Adam had also made the trip from wherever his and Ruby’s rooms were. Now Forrest had the chance to look around him, he could see the place was dilapidated and in drastic need of repair. Walls were damp and smelled it, and there was no carpet, only wooden floorboards.
He didn’t want Ruby and Adam living here but knew neither was his to care for.
“Mr. Winston, please go to the entrance by the front door. I dropped two walking sticks there; they are for Adam.”
“For me?” The boy looked shocked.
