Page 54 of Forgotten No More

He glanced at her and she tucked her head into his shoulder.

They continued in silence. Ruby leaned heavily against him and Harold accepted her slight weight, glad for the chance to assist her, even though he’d been moments too late. He’d need to keep a better eye on her and her extracurricular activities. He could never forgive himself if she came to further harm. He’d known something weighed heavily upon her…and he’d disregarded his unease. Never again.

He would not be the weak man his father believed him to be—and the malleable simpleton Rodney and Brock’s brothers had always called him in their youth.

If he’d learned anything during his time in London, it was that he would one day be his own man, living by his own means, and at the mercy of none. And furthermore, he did not need the validation of others, only himself.

He hadn’t given himself time to recognize the hurt he felt at her acceptance of Rodney’s help, while she’d shunned his offers, denied him. Rodney could not offer her anything more than Harold himself could.

That is what injured him to his core: Ruby did not trust him—probably would never trust him enough to confide in him.

They turned down another alley that eventually led them to the main street that passed in front of White’s Gentlemen’s Club, two blocks down. No one had followed them thus far, and Harold hoped they’d given up their search. He paused in a pool of light coming from a nearby building to better gauge her injuries.

He lifted her chin slightly. “Does it hurt dreadfully?”

“Not overly.” She pulled her chin away and his hand fell back to his side. “I am sorry to involve you in this.”

“I have wanted nothing more than to help, but you have made it clear that you prefer the assistance of Rodney as opposed to myself.” He tried unsuccessfully to keep the hurt from his voice. She’d been through so much this evening—truly since her arrival in London—and the last thing she needed was his fury and questioning over her choice of companions.

“I did not seek—”

“You do not owe me any answers,” he cut off her words. “I am only happy you are all right and, aside from a headache tonight and certain bruising by morning, you are unscathed, your reputation intact.”

She sighed, her shoulders sagging. “Thanks all to you. But Harold…”

At the hesitation in her words, he asked, “Yes?”

“I truly did not know Rodney would be at White’s. It was pure coincidence he was in town at all.”

He relaxed, her truthfulness apparent in each word. One matter, at least, had come to a satisfactory resolution. Harold couldn’t imagine gracefully stepping aside while Ruby had anything to do with Rodney Swiftenberg.

The patter of feet moving quickly toward them caught Harold’s attention. His first response was to shield Ruby, tell her to run before they were found. But the figure came from the opposite direction. As the shadowy form ran under lit gas lamps toward them he saw it was a girl, outfitted in a dress of bright green.

Harold squinted as she drew closer and passed beneath another lamp. The gas light shone off flaming red hair.

“Her—” Harold started at the same time Ruby said, “Ellie.”

“The girl has the worst timing,” he continued. “Get rid of her quickly, before she draws too much attention.”

“Thank the heavens.” Ellie skidded to a halt in front of them before Ruby could reply. “I’ve caught you before you did something truly stupid.”

“Before?” Harold asked.

“Yes, Alex—I mean, my stable hand—came to me with news that you borrowed his livery uniform and asked all sorts of pointed questions.” The girl paused to catch her breath, doubling over with her arms wrapped around her middle. “He was worried and it did not behoove me for you to do something foolish before your penance is paid.”

Ruby rolled her eyes and Harold fought hard not to laugh. “Well, I am sorry to report that you are too late.”

“Too late?” She looked from Ruby and back to Harold.

Ruby lifted her chin and turned her face so her swollen, already darkening cheek could be seen in the dim light. “See for yourself.”

“Hells bells!” Ellie exclaimed. “Now that’s a whopper.”

“It feels it, to be certain.”

Harold set his hand on her shoulder in comfort. “Try not to speak; it will only increase the pain.”

Ellie leaned in close. “She needs to have her cheek looked at. Follow me.”