Page 43 of Forgotten No More

“You knew all along who I was. Why did you accuse us of being thieves?” Question after question ran through her mind, but the sidewalk outside the marquis’ residence was not the place. They were already drawing curious stares from members of the ton walking by on their way to Hyde Park or shopping on Bond Street.

If she hadn’t been caught inside Drake’s townhouse, Ruby would guess Ellington had somehow targeted her.

“I merely suggested the possibility—I did not accuse, per se.”

So many things about the girl made her appear so much older, wiser, than her physical appearance suggested. For the first time, Ruby looked at her—truly looked. She took in what she imagined the world saw when they looked at Ellie. She was well cared for, but also had a worldly way about her, as if she’d seen much and lived through double that in her short life. Her emerald eyes, much the same shade as Ruby’s, held a depth and knowledge uncommon in one so young. “How old are you?”

Her question threw the girl off and for once Ellie lacked a witty retort. “Old enough.”

“And how old is ‘old enough’?” Ruby asked. “Say age fourteen, which many believe is ‘old enough’ to leave the school room. Or age sixteen, which many believe is ‘old enough’ to attend your first ball. Or possibly eighteen, which is the preferred age for marriage. There are many, many stages of ‘old enough’ for a young woman. Let us begin our walk. I do not have all day, but there is plenty of time for you to answer my question, and perhaps time enough for you to ask a few of your own.”

Ellington walked down the street toward Gunter’s, leaving Ruby behind. “I have no need to answer your questions…and certainly no interest in learning anything about you,” she called over her shoulder. “Do not dawdle.”

Ruby sighed and started in step after her. If Ellie insisted on walking five steps ahead of her the whole way, at least it would give her time to think, something that was seriously lacking in her life of late. Every time she turned around either Vi or Harold was close, ready to engage her in conversation or needless banter.

The view of Ellie was also interesting. She walked with a confident swagger, her step sure and her head high. The self-assurance bred only into a person born to privilege. A sureness of step that Ruby envied.

This girl knew her place in life.

Ellie was assured of her future role in society.

She wished she knew more about the girl—and why she’d targeted Ruby. Which, Ruby had no doubt Ellie had done. Presented with the right situation, the girl had coerced Ruby into agreeing to a few outings. It could be she was lonely, or in need of a suitable chaperone. If so, there were any number of matronly woman who’d have taken on the responsibility of introducing her to society, if only the marquis would have called upon them.

Sadly, Ruby sat precariously on the very edge of polite society, the illegitimate daughter of an impoverished baron and his unfaithful wife. The truth had become so embedded in her daily life that she wondered if others read her secrets, knew her mother’s deceit. The confidence evident in Ellie would never be Ruby’s.

As they neared the West End, the street traffic became heavy and Ruby sped her pace to keep an eye on Ellie. The girl walked the streets like she’d been raised running amuck. She occasionally nodded to passing ladies and gentlemen, obviously acquainted with London’s elite.

Suddenly, Ellie’s hand darted out and returned just as quickly.

Ruby blinked. Had she seen what she thought she’d seen?

Keeping a closer eye on the girl, she watched Ellie’s hand again flick out as a man in an expensive jacket walked past her in the opposite direction. Her fingers clutched a dark object upon their return and slipped it into a pocket hidden within Ellie’s skirt.

Ruby knew a thing or two about hidden pockets and their use. She hid her lock-picking tools in a pouch concealed within the folds of her evening gown.

Her eyes must have deceived her. Whatever could a young lady of the ton be doing stealing? As she continued to watch, torn between alerting strangers to the theft or taking Ellie over her knee for a good spanking, the girl lifted a rather large—and expensive-looking—pocket watch.

When Ruby gasped, Ellie looked over her shoulder and slowed her pace to match Ruby’s more ladylike speed.

“What are you doing?” Ruby hissed.

Ellie laughed, attracting the attention of two young men walking toward them. The gentlemen smiled and winked at Ellie and continued on their way.

“Shhhh,” she leaned and whispered in Ruby’s ear. “If I’m caught I will tell all who will listen that you are my lookout. You would not want that, would you?”

Wonderful. “Just stop that!” Now, she would be implicated in yet another crime.

“Not a chance.”

“Do you want us to get arrested?”

“Of course not. I spent one night in the lockup, and it is not for me.” Ellie gave Ruby a look of disgust and skipped a few feet ahead.

There was little she could do as she watched Ellie pick pocket after pocket as they walked…and they had another three blocks to go before they reached Gunter’s.

At least Ruby would not feel badly insisting Ellie pay for their ices. The thought made her want to laugh and cry at the same time. She was an honest person. She’d never stolen from or lied to another person—except since her return to London. But the situation was only temporary, and the reason for her forced deception was a valid one.

Every decision she’d made since finding her mother’s journal had led her to the place she was at this very moment.