Page 28 of Forgotten No More

“Again, I have a very good reason for being here. While you, on the other hand, tagged along without so much as an invitation to do so.” The man was infuriating, as usual, yet looked right at home within the massive room. It was still a mystery to her how he’d managed to beat her back to the house from White’s.

By the time he had, however, Ruby had needed to get on with her task for the evening. It was only a three-block walk to the Drake’s townhouse. The night was not overly cool. With a light shawl, dark walking dress, and comfortable kid boots, she had set out on her excursion, hoping Harold didn’t follow—while at the same time knowing the man was incapable of passing up an opportunity to annoy her.

A part of her was thankful for his company, though. The idea of slipping into the marquis’ house had thrilled Ruby at first. She pictured herself stealthily traversing the dark interior to find the room she sought. But as she walked alone down the misty, muddy lane crowded behind townhouses, the first tendrils of anxiety, fear, and doubt had taken hold.

His incessant questions on their walk to Drake’s hadn’t helped, either. She assured him that yes, she knew she was doing something illegal. Yes, she knew the repercussions could land her in a dank holding cell—which she tried to convince him was the reason he shouldn’t accompany her. And finally: No, Vi did not know about her after-hours outings or her sneaking around at ton affairs.

She’d dreaded her decision not to confide in Vi or at least leave a note with her whereabouts.

But Ruby knew her friend well. Vi wouldn’t ask any questions, insisting instead on accompanying her. Dragging the new Lady Haversham into her convoluted situation was unacceptable, particularly given Vi’s current condition. Brock would never forgive Ruby if they were found breaking and entering the home of an extremely influential marquis. Ruby craved answers, but not at the expense of her friend’s reputation.

Her own reputation didn’t matter as much. She was a nobody. The daughter of an impoverished baronet, or so she’d been led to believe.

“Is this what we came here for?”

The whispered question startled Ruby and she sprang into action. Alex had only guaranteed her two uninterrupted hours when Drake attended his gentlemen’s club to play cards. The two hours included the time it took her to find his carriage at the club, enter his house, complete her search, and depart unnoticed—and that didn’t even factor in the time she’d wasted returning to the Haversham townhouse. Drake’s house staff took his time away for themselves, thus ensuring the home would be unattended. Alex kept watch at the stables after showing her and Harold in through a side door in the garden. He’d been shocked—and a bit leery—to see Harold, but had kept to his word. Misleading him was not something she planned to do often, or at all.

She was still confused as to why either man would assist her. She was in danger, and in turn, putting both of them at risk, too. Alex did have a deep sense of loyalty to Vi—and by association, Ruby—which somewhat convinced Ruby that he only did what Vi would have him do.

“Just allow me to have a look around and we will depart,” Ruby said.

“Why were you at White’s?”

“I don’t have time for your questions.” Though she should be focused on Drake and anything he could be hiding, she kept stealing glances in Harold’s direction. He looked completely at ease sneaking about the marquis’ house.

“One might think you never have time for anyone’s questions.”

“Do be silent before you alert someone to our presence,” she scolded. Ruby was gaining much skill in her ability to avoid the inquiry of others, and tonight would not be an exception. She pulled the cover off an impressive desk. If the gods of luck shone in her favor, the drawers would be unlocked and ready for her perusal.

She let out a huge sigh. Immediately, she pulled drawers open and began her search. Time was imperative, and she hadn’t a second to waste. The first few drawers she opened were empty. This could not be the room Drake spent several hours a day in. Her doubts had been immediate when they entered the room to find it covered in years of dust and smelling of misuse.

The last drawer pulled open with a screech on uneven rails, revealing a treasure trove of items. Ruby bent forward for a better look in the dim light. The only source came from the hallway beyond the door, which cast a light that illuminated about ten feet into the room. They could not chance sparking a candle and alerting a passing servant.

“Eureka!” Harold called from right over her shoulder.

Startled, Ruby jerked upright, prepared to flee when her head hit something solid.

“Ouch!” Harold said.

Ruby spun around to see Harold cupping his chin in pain. She irritably massaged what she felt sure would be a knot atop her head. “I told you to be quiet. Now look at yourself. However do you propose to explain a bruised chin? You are insufferable.”

The wounded look on his face had Ruby regretting her harsh words.

“Just stay silent, please,” Ruby whispered.

He held both hands up, palms toward her, and took a step back in surrender. “Your wish is my command.”

She turned back to the drawer, knowing she’d need to move the objects closer to the light to see them clearly. Scooping them into her hands, Ruby stood and took a step toward the door. She’d managed a single step before her foot caught on the cloth she’d removed. The objects flew from her hands as she careened forward in the darkness. Her hands shot out for something to stop her fall and the inevitable noise it would cause. When her hands came into contact with only air, Ruby’s future passed before her very eyes.

Expelled from Lord Haversham’s house in disgrace.

Forgotten once more at her family’s country estate, left to age alone with no answers to her many questions.

What more did she deserve after harrying off to London on this ill-fated mission?

The seconds passed like minutes as her feet sought purchase but only became further knotted in the excess material.

As she braced herself for impact, solid arms snaked around her waist, stopping her seemingly a mere finger’s breadth from hitting the floor. The sudden stop sent the last item, tucked under her arm, skidding across the dusty floor before it smashed into the wall. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the cavernous room and out into the empty hall.