Page 50 of Forgotten No More

“Well done,” Brock said. “I should have known better than to think I could best you at billiards if we only played one more game.”

“I gave you the opportunity to bow out with your dignity still intact, but once again, you let it pass.” They’d played billiards for years—and for years, Harold had won almost every game. Much like his skill at cards, he had neither practiced nor studied.

“My lord?” Buttons called from the open doorway. “You have a guest.”

Harold leaned his stick against the wall as Alex walked into the room.

“Alex.” Brock embraced the young man before pulling back and assessing him from head to toe. “It has been too long, my boy.”

Harold avoided eye contact, hoping Alex wouldn’t betray Ruby’s confidence by announcing their brief meeting at Drake House. The young man had no reason to keep Harold’s whereabouts private, but Ruby’s were another thing.

“My lord.” Alex stepped back far enough to bow to Brock. “It has been overly long.”

“Listen to you,” Brock exclaimed. “You must be practicing your speech, just as Lady Haversham taught you.”

“I will be forever indebted to her.”

“Have you come to accept my offer of employment?” Brock asked. “As I said, I will double whatever the marquis currently pays you.”

“While that is very generous, my lord, I need to make my own way. One day I will have a family of my own to support and I cannot allow Lady Haversham to care for me.”

“You will inform me immediately if you are ever unhappy or treated unjustly?” Brock prodded.

“Of course, though I am very satisfied with my current employer, and I am learning much from his stable master.”

“Lady Haversham will be overjoyed to hear this. Let me ring for her to attend us.”

“That would be grand, but I fear I haven’t much time and I came to speak with Mr. Jakeston, if you don’t mind.” Alex nodded in Harold’s direction.

“Oh, most certainly.” Brock looked between them. “I hadn’t known the pair of you were acquainted.”

“Only through Miss Ruby,” Harold volunteered before Alex could say a word.

“Very well, then. Harold, I look forward to a rematch.” Brock nodded to Harold and patted Alex on the back before departing the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

Harold could not imagine what Brock thought they had to discuss, but he was happy for the privacy. He was immediately alert to having not seen Ruby in the last few hours—but truly, how much trouble could she get into since mid-afternoon?

“Is everything all right?” he asked as soon as they were alone.

“I am not certain, Mr. Jakeston.”

“Please, call me Harold.”

The young man nodded, then continued. “You are a friend to Miss Ruby, correct?”

“I am not sure she would use the term friend,” Harold responded warily. “But I do find myself looking out for her, yes.”

Alex nodded, seeming to accept his answer. “Miss Ruby came to me not long ago and begged to borrow one of my livery uniforms.”

“Whatever for?”

“I am afraid she did not confide her plans to me, but she asked several odd questions.”

“Go on.”

“She wanted to know if the Marquis of Drake was in attendance at his club this evening.”

“And your answer?”