Page 31 of Forgotten No More

The girl was toying with them, that was all. She would get a laugh out of their discomfiture and let them leave eventually.

“Would it be so awful to let us go, just as we came, no one the wiser?” Ruby said. She looked at the girl defiantly, hopefully coming to the same conclusion Harold had.

She snorted again. “But I would be the wiser. How do I know you are both not hiding the good silver under your clothes?”

“You can check us both,” Ruby offered.

“Oh, but think of the fun if the magistrate searched you both.”

“You must be jesting with us,” Harold exclaimed, his patience wearing thin. “This is absurd. We came for a meeting with Drake. He is unable to meet with us, so we will take our leave now.” Harold stood and motioned for Ruby to do the same.

“Do not think you will depart as easily as you arrived.” The girl stopped pacing and faced them. “I may be forced to spread the news about the pair of you caught in a most compromising position.”

“What compromising position?” Ruby exploded.

“I did find you alone in a dark room with this kind sir’s arms wrapped most inappropriately around your midsection, did I not?”

They both stayed silent, not wishing to fuel the girl’s fire.

“Sir.” She turned to him. “Can you please await your partner outside?”

“I would rather not—”

“Thank you, I do appreciate your immediate departure from this house. Your miss and I have much to discuss. Privately, if you please.”

The little hellion. He was being dismissed in no uncertain terms, and at the moment there was nothing he could do about it. The risk was too great that she’d sound the alarm and have them both hauled from the house, in shackles, for all to see.

He bowed to Ruby reluctantly. “I will be upon the front steps awaiting your departure.”

“I would feel better if he stay—”

“Unfortunately, that is not up to you,” the girl said. “If you pride yourself on your ability to wander about without restraints—namely bindings about your wrists and ankles—then you will leave us.”

He looked to Ruby. If she asked him to stay, he would. Damn the consequences.

“Good evening, your lordship,” a servant’s voice drifted into the room.

“Very good, the marquis is returned. Shall I call him to join us?” the girl asked.

“That will not be necessary.” Harold gave Ruby a reassuring smile. With Drake returned they would not be able to stop her from announcing their presence, but Harold may be able to distract him long enough for Ruby to remove herself from the house. “I will step out and have a word with him myself.”

She shook her head. “Harold?”

He leaned close and whispered, “All will be fine, trust me.”

The girl clapped, as if enjoying their discomfort. “Well, that is settled. You may go, Harold,” she said, and he moved toward the door as she continued to address Ruby. “Now that he is gone we can speak freely.”

“What could you possibly have to speak with me about?” Ruby sounded so uncertain that Harold almost turned around.

“But one thing. Namely…” she paused dramatically, “…how I can be made to forget the scene I stumbled upon…”

The girl’s words trailed off when he closed the study door behind him.

Ruby was safer in the room with their young captor than she would be coming face to face with Drake.

Pasting a smile upon his face, Harold took the few steps toward Drake and bowed in greeting. “Your lordship.” Harold mimicked the servant’s greeting.

“Mr. Jakeston?” Drake blustered. “What are you doing here—at this time of night?”