Page 45 of Forgotten No More

“I have half a mind to continue on to the Gazette office three blocks over and share some tasty information about a scandalous tryst between two of London’s newcomers.”

Ruby turned back to the smug girl. Where the chit gained her information, she had no clue. Not many people had noticed Ruby, let alone knew she was new to the London social circle.

“I most certainly did not betray our agreement, if that is what you insist on calling it.” Ruby was angry, although she was uncertain who most deserved her wrath, Ellington or Harold. “And do not think you have the upper hand in this agreement. I am here because I chose to be here, not because of your master blackmailing skills.” They both knew her words to be a farce, but Ruby would not bow to the girl evermore. “I am unsure of his business in this part of town, we’re hardly acquainted.”

As they watched, Harold drew an envelope from his pocket and handed it to the man beside him. At first the man looked like any modest gentleman you’d see walking the streets of London, but upon closer inspection his hair was unkempt and longer than society deemed appropriate, although not in the rebel-about-town way. And the man wore the most enormous boots. His feet could not possibly be large enough to need the size. The man opened the envelope and pulled a stack of notes out, fanning them before his face.

“Hey you!” Ellie shouted, her outburst startling Ruby from her observations.

“What are you doing?”

“What am I doing?” the girl retorted. “What are they doing is a much better question.”

Ruby looked back to the men, who’d trained their own eyes on them. As they watched, the man she did not know—though he seemed oddly familiar—slipped the envelope into his own jacket and began to amble down the street, his oversized boots never quite leaving the sidewalk.

“Oh, he is coming this way,” Ellie exclaimed. “And he does not look happy.”

Chapter 18

Harold had wondered how the last twenty-four hours could possibly get any worse, but thankfully the answer presented itself in the form of Ruby, seated across the street—watching him hand money to his brother—while in the company of their little blackmailer.

He hadn’t a clue what the girl was up to, but it was important enough that Ruby had acquiesced, sending Harold from the room. He wondered if it had to do with her own secret.

The woman was almost too ignorant to be true. Or possibly he was the ignorant one, and they sat across the busy street laughing at his expense. He did not know, but he was set on finding out. Her plan, whatever it may be, was about to come to light and if it so much as came close to jeopardizing Lord and Lady Haversham’s reputation, he would out her and make sure she was sent packing back to her family’s country home.

Crossing the street, he barely heard the angry shouts of men on horseback and coachmen. He could think of one thing and one thing only: outing the woman for the liar she was. She’d done nothing but scheme and lie since she’d arrived in London. The illogical part of him truly believed she would come to trust him, to confide in him. Why that mattered so much to him he didn’t know, but he kept searching the woman in front of him for the person he remembered her to be. Unfortunately, he may very well have to concede that that woman was gone, never to return.

“Good day,” he said in greeting as he bowed. He didn’t bother to stop the girl as she slipped away unnoticed by Ruby.

“Mr. Jakeston,” she muttered. “What a pleasure to see you. But then again, I expect you to be lurking close at all times.”

He didn’t understand the venom in her words.

She was the one who’d insulted his very manhood.

She was the one caught having an afternoon ice with the girl who held both their reputations in her hands.

She was the one withholding a secret that could potentially destroy his best friend’s wife.

And she scolded him?

“Firstly, I do not lurk. Secondly, I would like nothing more than to be out of your way, but I find it is impossible to evade your nefarious outings.”

“Please tell Mr. Jakeston—” Ruby stared at the empty seat beside her, abandoned by her co-conspirator moments before. “What…”

“Alone with no explanations once more, I see.” When she stayed silent, he continued. “Every time I tell myself to keep my distance from you—to forget your presence—I find you in the most suspicious of situations. I am left with no other option but to discover your purpose.”

“How dare you.” She stood, stepping close and staring him straight in the eyes. “You challenge my person, yet you hold secret meetings about town, exchanging money for heaven knows what.”

Harold had been aware that she’d had a clear view of his meeting with William, and he had to admit it probably looked as suspicious as her own actions. But that was not what he was here to discuss, and he knew his actions were pure of heart—though he couldn’t say the same of her. “Do not change the subject.”

“I will do whatever I please.” Her voice rose with her words. “Now, if you will kindly excuse me, I have an evening to prepare for.”

She pushed past him and started toward the Haversham townhouse—the same direction Harold would be headed, regardless of the circumstances. He fell into step beside her, matching her shorter stride.

“What are you doing?”

“Accompanying you home.”