Page 35 of Forgotten No More

By ‘securing funds,’ Harold had simply counted his remaining wager winnings to ascertain he had enough to fund the venture and also keep himself fed.

After discussing the venture in more detail, Harold was all the more convinced the endeavor would be profitable for them both.

With a confident step, Harold left Cheapside.

Chapter 14

Ruby had no idea why she’d agreed to accompany Vi and Lord Haversham. The evening was bound to be chock-full of gossip and needless mingling that did nothing to help move her toward her objectives in London. The playhouse was already filled to capacity with London’s elite, ensconced in private boxes with spectacular views of not only the stage, but also of surrounding boxes. People gawked at other members of the town through opera glasses.

Those without a private box or the funds to rent one for the evening milled about in the general admission section. They too scanned the crowd above them, searching for familiar faces or possibly an impressive lord treating his mistress to an evening out while his family attended another social function.

Ruby had retreated to the furthest seat from the railing, shrouded in shadows, but still able to view most of the large room. The only social gathering the ton enjoyed more than a grand ball was the theater. Many relished the opportunity to gawk at other attendees, whether from their own social class or above. While the poor laborers ogled their fancy clothes and fine posture, many would have been shocked to learn that most men of the ton barely read at more than an elementary level, happy to leave business to their man of affairs.

Vi and Lord Haversham sat in front of her, heads tilted together in conversation as they exclaimed over the set for this evening’s production. The stage had been transformed into a magical forest, the lights low, and a brilliant moon suspended overhead. In truth, if it had been any other play Ruby would have found an excuse to call off, but try as she might she could not pass up the opportunity to see the production that meant so very much to her own mother. So much so, in fact, that Pearl St. Augustine had a ruby-encrusted letter opener made for her lover with lines from the play etched into the precious metal.

Ruby knew that in the first act—the very first scene even—of A Midsummer Night’s Dream the words that meant so much to her mother would be uttered.

‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’ Ruby believed truer words had likely never been spoken. Something as all-consuming as the love her mother had felt for her real father was beyond Ruby, and she had none other than her mother to thank for that. Through her loss, Ruby knew she would be wiser and more discriminating if a gentleman ever came calling for her. Questioning a person’s motives should not be discouraged simply because they were a member of the ton. She couldn’t help but think that if young women were taught to question men’s objectives, they would be happier with their lot in life when they did decide upon a husband.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

“Bloody hell!” Ruby mumbled. She hadn’t heard the door open behind her, nor Harold enter the box and take the seat next to her in the shadows.

“Of course not, Harold.” Vi turned in her seat to face them with a smile of greeting. “We were unsure you would make it this evening.”

Ruby cursed her luck. After the previous evening, the last person she wanted to see—besides the little hellion they’d met at Drake’s estate—was Harold.

“I would not miss a night at the theater for anything.” Harold looked to Ruby then, their eyes meeting as he uttered his next words. “Especially with such exquisite company.”

“Now Harold, I did wear my freshly tailored suit, but please, acknowledge the ladies as well,” Brock chimed in. “I fear your infatuation with me will have to come to an end shortly, or Lady Haversham may develop a distaste for you.”

Harold laughed, covering the sound of his chair as he pulled it closer to Ruby. “I would not want to insult Lady Haversham or Miss Ruby, who, by the way are both looking ravishing this evening.”

“Thank you, Harold.” A beautiful glow lightened Vi’s face.

“Oh no, you do not, Harold,” Brock said.

“What?” Harold looked puzzled, his hand resting on his chest in shock.

“Do not be throwing such words about with my wife present.”

“My apologies,” Harold said. He leaned toward Ruby and continued. “You do look quite ravishing this evening.”

Ruby glared as best she could from the corner of her eye. “Do you not think we have gotten ourselves into enough trouble lately?”

Could he so easily forget the imminent danger of their association if the girl decided to spill their secret to all? Not that there was even a secret to tell, but misconceptions and unfounded perceptions ran rampant around London. Very rarely did one stop to examine the truthfulness of the gossip they spread.

Harold unfolded his theater spectacles and peered around the large room, focusing on several boxes as he scanned. “I do believe we are in no danger of discovery this evening. It seems not a single lord or lady has their eye focused on us. Which I find extremely odd, as we are a striking pair to behold.”

“Do stop that!” Ruby said. The man was exasperating, as always. He seemed to enjoy provoking her.

“What?” he asked, affronted.

“What you’re doing. You know as well as I do that our place in society—and as a non-scandalous pair—depends on our discretion.”

“As a pair…I do delight in the sound of that.” He winked.

“You know I meant nothing of the sort. And I would delight in you scooting your chair back to its place.”