CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Four days later, he had still not managed to get Ruby alone and had only briefly managed to tell her that Mr. Turnip was no longer a problem for Miss Kent. She’d nodded, curtseyed, and thanked him before retreating to the nursery and Ella.
He did, however, see her flitting about in the halls of the townhouse. Yesterday he’d seen her coming out of Gabe’s office.
“Can I help you, Ruby?”
“I, ah, lost a book. Ella thought she may have put it in Lord Raine’s office, Mr. Howarth.”
She had looked everywhere but at him when she’d spoken.
This morning he’d seen her outside his office door when Nathan left. They’d been having a meeting about the new information that an informant had brought him. She’d dropped a curtsey and fled.
Very odd.
Today he was taking steps to have a longer, private conversation with her. He had asked Fairfax to send her to his office when Ella was taking her midday meal. Forrest had a few things to say to Ruby Knight.
The tap on the door had him calling for her to enter. She wore the gray dress again. Hair pulled back in a tight bun. Face expressionless, hands clasped before her, the picture of obedience. But he knew better. This woman was strong and fierce. She’d taken her brother and run away from her father when he wanted to marry her to a man she had no wish to wed. She was loyal to her friends and provided for Adam.
She was brave, beautiful, and just looking at her made his chest swell with something that wasn’t as simple as pride. Did he really care for this woman?
“Please take a seat, Ruby.”
She did, settling in the one across from him.
“I thought you may like to know more details as to what has happened to Mr. Turnip.”
She nodded.
“Lord Raine has ensured he will go to prison for some time.”
She nodded again.
“Lord Raine explained to the sergeant what had happened and what Turnip had done, and that he is suspected of murder. He also said Miss Kent was a dear friend and he needed assurance that Sydney Turnip could never hurt her again. He was given that assurance.”
“Thank you. That will give her peace.”
“How is she doing?”
“A great deal better, thank you. Once I give her this news, I am sure she will leave and go home to her family. Of course, we will miss her terribly, but it is for the best.”
“Will Turnip’s family make trouble for her?”
“She believes they will not, now he is not there.”
“Let’s hope that is the case. I need to ask you another question now, Ruby.”
“Of course.”
“Are the Amble sisters Lord Amble’s aunts?”
She went completely still. She wasn’t moving much before he’d spoken, but now it was as if she was cast in stone.
“He was also at the Watch House four nights ago. There was apparently a burglary in his townhouse.”
She flinched.
“Ruby?”
