Page 5 of Forgotten No More

Her tall stature afforded her a view of the crowd, enabling her to avoid any contact with her mother or her close circle. She could only imagine the dressing down she’d receive if she were caught in London, directly disobeying her mother’s wish that she remain in the country due to their limited funds.

It had been advantageous for her that her nearest and dearest friend, Lady Viola Haversham, happened to be departing for London the very same day Ruby had arrived at her estate, a dark secret on the tip of her tongue. She’d been ready to confess all to Vi, but held back when she saw the staff hurriedly packing to depart for London. Ruby had only contemplated her next move for a moment. She needed to be in London if she hoped to gain answers.

Ruby was thankful for Vi’s generosity, even though her friend made it very clear that she had her own selfish reasons for wanting Ruby close. She was carrying her first child, and was frightened of being alone. While Ruby knew nothing of babies and childbirth, she looked forward to sharing this special time with her best friend.

With Vi’s increasing condition, Ruby’s excuse to accompany her to London—against her mother’s wishes—meant the opportunity to start the search for her true father as well. She hadn’t had much to go on when she first arrived, with only a luggage trunk and her mother’s old, faded journal. She’d obtained a copy of Peers of the Realm from a shop on Bond Street, while Vi shopped for a new pocket square for her husband. Ruby had worked quickly, making her list of all the unmarried lords of a certain age. After eliminating those who had not been in London during the time in question, and adding to those the homes she had already searched, she found her list had dwindled to a mere six names.

At least Ruby’s mother’s motivations for keeping her isolated and out of the public eye now made sense. Mrs. St. Augustin could not take the chance of her daughter—and therefore herself—being linked to a man who was not her late husband.

Looking around, Ruby saw one gentleman whose stature mirrored her own willowy form; another with her exact shade of green eyes; yet another whose hair color and complexion matched her own dark features.

For what seemed like the millionth time, doubt, uncertainty, and hopelessness filled her. Doubt that she’d never learn who she truly was, where she belonged, where her place in this world lay. Uncertainty whether or not she even wanted to know the truth; if the man who’d fathered her wanted anything to do with her; if she would like where her search led her. And hopelessness that she was in any way qualified to be searching at all.

“Ruby?”

She stopped several feet from the open veranda doors—and her freedom from the crowded house.

Pasting a smile on her face that she hoped would reach her eyes, she turned. “Vi,” she said. “I had no idea you would be in attendance tonight, or I would have accompanied you and Lord Haversham.”

Vi eyed her skeptically. “I am sure I mentioned it earlier today during my dress fitting.”

It hadn’t been that many months ago that Ruby had eyed Vi in much the same suspicious manner. “I don’t believe so, but I’m glad to see at least one person I know.” Ruby grasped Vi in a tight hug to smother the questions her friend was dying to ask. Questions for which she had no answers.

After a moment, Vi returned her hug and then held Ruby at arm’s length. Her friend’s crystal blue eyes took her in from head to toe and back again. “You look splendid this evening. Did Sarah fix your hair?”

Ruby smiled. She knew she looked exquisite in the satin dress, her hair swept high atop her head. “No. I decided at the last second to come out tonight.” Ruby still grasped Vi’s hands. “I did not seek to inconvenience Sarah or the other household staff.”

“Nonsense, you are our guest.”

Tears welled once more, but this time for a completely different reason. After her father passed, Ruby hadn’t known the love of a family until she went to live with Vi as her paid companion, which turned into a friendship many envied. They’d been inseparable for years, spending every holiday as sisters would. Lord Oberbrook, Vi’s father, had even purchased Ruby a superb new wardrobe for the ill-fated week she and Vi had spent in town last season.

Currently, she wore a fine puce evening gown she hadn’t worn before. Some may pinpoint the fashion as last season, but Ruby had never felt so elegant. The dress transformed her thin frame into the willowy, lithe body of a sophisticated woman of the ton.

“It is only that I do not wish to trouble anyone,” Ruby responded. “You and your family have already done so much for me.” She glanced over Vi’s shoulder. Thankfully, her mother was nowhere to be seen. Ruby needed to make her swift escape before it was too late.

Vi released Ruby’s hands and stepped back. “Enough of all this. Shall I find you a dance partner?”

“No, please. I fear I am a bit overheated. I was making my way to the veranda for some fresh air when you spotted me.” Ruby nodded to the French doors not far from them. “I will take you up on your offer after I have cooled down a bit.”

“I’ll join you—”

“No need for that,” Ruby cut in. “I see Brock making his way toward us now. I do suppose he longs for your company. I will join you in a moment.” With another quick hug and a peck on the cheek, Ruby moved toward the open doors.

“Hello, my love,” Ruby heard Brock greet Vi as she moved out the door, away from the prying eyes of the ton and far from her mother’s clutches.

The cool night caressed her heated skin, but quickly turned cold. She wished she hadn’t left her shawl in the carriage, but she’d had no choice. The servants at the front door would have looked suspiciously upon her for not leaving the item with them upon her arrival, and she simply could not afford another if she had to leave it behind. Arriving sans shawl had been a necessity, and the walk around the house to the drive wouldn’t be very long.

She wrapped her bare arms around herself to ward off the chilly breeze and moved to the steps leading to the garden, careful to keep her head down. While she didn’t know many people in town, she couldn’t risk someone recognizing her before she was ready. That would be sure to start a round of gossip that would only interfere and complicate her search. The veranda was sparsely attended and she was able to make her way down the steps and toward the gate along the well-lit garden path.

Reaching the gate, Ruby took one more glance over her shoulder to make sure no one followed. What greeted her stopped Ruby in her tracks, her hand poised to push the gate open.

Harold stood at the edge of the veranda, his sherry flute raised in salute to her.

The man presented a striking, elegant figure; one Ruby was hard pressed to take her eyes from with the glow from the open ballroom doors illuminating him. The cut of his shirt may appear last season, but broad shoulders never went out of fashion. She’d found it difficult to keep her eyes trained on the fire before her earlier, wanting to take in the sight of him, yet fearing her eyes would give away the absolute terror she’d felt at being caught. She found him alluring and distracting, though that was the last thing she should be focused on at the moment.

She tried to look away before he noticed her stare, but he nodded in her direction and took a sip from his glass.

If she wasn’t mistaken, his laugh echoed through the garden as she turned away.