She nodded.
“What did the man say to you?” Zach asked.
“He said he wanted me to do a job for him. I was to go to the docks and hand an envelope over to someone who had just arrived on a ship.”
“What ship?” Forrest gripped her hands with his.
“TheGodfrey.”
“Christ! It was you that night.” Forrest remembered seeing her.
She looked at him.
“Carry on with your story,” he said.
“I handed over the envelope, then received a reply. I passed it to another man. The one who had first approached me on the street.”
He felt ice-cold at the thought of what could have happened to her. If there had been any small doubt of the depth of his feelings for Ruby, they were now dismissed.
“What else did the man in the carriage say to you, Ruby?” Zach asked after shooting him a look.
“He said that Lord Raine, the Deville brothers, and Mr. Howarth worked for the king. That you had been there that night and thwarted his plans, and he was not happy about it. He wanted me to spy on you.” The last words came out in a rush. “I could not refuse because he threatened Adam and the other residents of 11 Nobby Lane.”
“I doubt you would have heard much,” Zach said.
“And this is why I’ve been finding you walking the halls, and outside my office. That day I saw you leaving Gabe’s office, you’d been searching it?” Forrest said.
She nodded, face tight with worry. Ruby then eased her hands from under his, drawing away from him.
“That night you saw that man with me. The night you stopped and took me into your carriage. He was taking me home and was going to meet Adam. It was to let me know he could get to my brother any time, a threat to keep me in line.”
“Bastard,” Forrest hissed.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you, Ruby,” Mr. Winston said.
“And now they have him.” Nathan looked at the window. He then banged his fist on the roof and the carriage stopped. “We have some people nearby who could help. We will meet you at Nobby Lane. Come, Zach.”
“I will walk from here, and ask if anyone has seen him,” Mr. Winston said.
The men left, and Forrest was alone with Ruby.
“And was it you who stole from Lord Amble?”
“Yes.” The word was whispered. “But they did not deserve their fate.”
“Agreed. I am not angry that Lord Amble was robbed, Ruby. My anger stems from the fear that you could have been caught.”
She looked at him, her beautiful face tight with worry. He cupped a soft cheek.
“I want my brother back, Mr. Howarth.”
“We will get him back. Everyone has to trust at some time or other, Ruby. I would ask that you try that with me now.”
Her eyes sought his. “Who did you trust?”
“My cousins.”
“They are good men.”
