Page 42 of Forgotten No More

Completely at odds with the girl who’d just entered the room. Lady Ellington scowled at Ruby, hands on her hips.

“You are late,” she scolded.

Ruby almost laughed at the ridiculousness of Ellington’s fury. Her nostrils flared ever so slightly and her face held a red tint. She appeared the mother reprimanding her child for innumerable transgressions.

“Now, calm yourself,” Ruby said quietly. “It is barely luncheon and Gunter’s does not open until after the noon-day meal. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Ellington looked over her shoulder before pushing the door closed, sealing off the possibility of a passing servant hearing their conversation. “I am not in a hurry. I only expect you to live up to your word.”

“My word?” It was Ruby’s turn to be angry. “When I give my word I stand by it, but when I am forced into a situation—”

“A situation of your own making.”

“Be that as it may, when I give my word I follow through.” The girl was smart, if a bit irritating and brash. “At this moment, I am obligated to be here, do not confuse that with wanting or needing to be here.”

The smile from their last meeting returned. “You both wanted and needed to be in my house not long ago, did you not?”

How many times would Ruby be made to apologize for her actions? “Are you ready to leave?” She hoped changing the topic would lighten the dour mood in the room.

“I was ready at the agreed-upon time—it was you who was late.”

“Is this how our afternoon will go?” Ruby was unsure she could stand ten minutes, let alone two hours in the girl’s presence.

Her eyes narrowed. “Our afternoon will go exactly as I dictate it will go.”

Ruby had no siblings and was at a loss as to how to deal with a snide girl barely out of the school room. “Ellington, I only meant—”

“You only meant what?” she cut Ruby off. “And do not call me Ellington. I go by Lady Ellie.”

“As I was saying, I only meant our afternoon can be full of nasty unpleasantness, or we can make the best out of the situation we both created.” Ruby emphasized. Yes, Ruby broke into Drake’s house, but Ellington had doomed them both to spending time together.

She’d pondered the girl’s reasons for making her agree to these bizarre outings on her short walk back to the Haversham townhouse, but nothing had struck her as true. As far as Ruby could tell, the girl was provided for financially, she wore fine clothes, fancy ribbons, and quality shoes. She also appeared provided for personally: she was bathed, her hair shone a bright red, and her teeth seemed in good health.

What could she gain from an ex-paid companion without a shilling to her name? While Ellington didn’t know Ruby’s dire circumstances, it would become apparent shortly. Ruby’s spare coin was in such short supply that she would rather not spend it on frivolous things—including ices. She’d agreed to time with Ellington—Ellie—but she had not agreed to spend her scarce money.

It was time to get this over with. “Shall we go or would you like to bicker a bit longer?”

With a huff Ellie headed out of the room, not pausing for the butler to open the front door. She took the steps in one leap, as Ruby had the night before, her dress not hindering her in the slightest.

Stopping abruptly on the walk she looked from side to side and then turned back to Ruby as she lifted her walking dress, taking the steps slowly.

“Where is your coach?” she asked.

“I do not have a coach.”

Ellie’s brow drew down in confusion. “How do you expect us to get to Gunter’s?”

It was Ruby’s turn to laugh, probably the most genuine laugh since her arrival in London. It bubbled deep within her. “I guess we will traverse the streets of London upon foot.”

“You cannot be serious.” The bewilderment in Ellie’s voice almost had her laughing again.

“I most assuredly am serious,” Ruby said. “I do not have the luxury of a carriage at my beck and call.”

“But the other night, I saw you leave Lord Yorkton’s in—”

The girl realized her misstep at the same time Ruby did. “You knew who I was?” Ruby knew her expression mirrored Ellie’s bewildered one from just a moment before. “You little rascal.”

Ellington held her tongue.