Page 6 of Forgotten No More

Chapter 3

Harold laughed as she slipped through the gate and moved toward the front drive of the estate, no one but him the wiser. Her wide-eyed look of shock when he’d acknowledged her had been worth his mad dash through the house in pursuit of her retreating form.

It had been to make sure she arrived back safely to the ballroom, he’d told himself. She had departed in such a hurry, he’d worried she would trip on the stairs or be accosted in one of the dark hallways by a drunken party guest.

One could never be too cautious. The fact that the first sight of Ruby St. Augustin had piqued his interest in a way few had since he’d arrived in London, he assured himself, had nothing to do with his concern for her well-being.

The woman wasn’t only captivating in her beauty, but held an air of mystery thanks to her rushed search and hasty departure. As far as Harold was aware, Miss Ruby hadn’t attended a London season nor had any connections in town besides the new Lady Haversham and, of course, her own mother. He could not fathom her purpose for sneaking into Lord Yorkton’s study in the middle of a ball to rifle through his personal effects. A man’s study was his personal domain; many kept their most prized possessions or hidden secrets within this private sanctuary, knowing that none dared cross the threshold without invitation.

He couldn’t disregard the nagging suspicion that she’d gotten herself involved in something and was in trouble, and therefore needed his assistance.

“Harold, is that you?” Lady Haversham called behind him.

She stood a few feet outside the ballroom door. Her smile dazzled him, as it always had. Harold could not have selected a more suitable bride and life partner for his best friend, Brock. “It is I, your ladyship.” He bowed in her direction. “How are you feeling this eve?”

“I am a bit tired, but thankfully Brock is making sure I have plenty of rest between dances.” Her smile brightened further. The spark reached her clear blue eyes and brought a new light to the darkened terrace. “How many times must I tell you to call me Vi?”

“At least once more,” Harold countered. “My lady.”

Lady Haversham glanced around the terrace.

“Can I help you with something?” he asked.

“I am uncertain,” She scanned the garden before continuing. “Did you happen to see Ruby come out this way a few moments ago?”

Harold debated his options for answering. If he told Vi he hadn’t seen Ruby, then she would worry. If he told her he’d seen her leave through the far garden gate, that would also cause her to fret about her friend. But what other alternative did he have that would keep Lady Haversham from harrying off after Ruby, involving yet another person in the situation afoot?

“Well?” Vi’s brow shot up in question.

“I did encounter Miss Ruby only moments ago. She came outside for a spot of fresh air. She said she was not feeling well, so I accompanied her to her carriage. My apologies for not locating you or Brock sooner with the news.” He regretted the need to lie, but didn’t hesitate to think of the consequences.

Lying to his best friend’s wife to cover the nefarious deeds of a woman he barely knew was something he’d never foreseen.

Vi sighed and the tension left her body. “Oh, no worries. I hadn’t expected to see her this evening at all. I will check on her when we return home.”

“When you return home…” Harold let his words trail off in question.

“Why, yes. Ruby has been staying at the Haversham townhouse since I arrived. Have you not seen her?”

The bloody hell she had been! He’d seen neither hide nor hair of the woman. Nor had Ruby told him of her accommodations while in the study. She was truly up to something, and chances were Brock and his wife hadn’t the faintest idea. It appeared Ruby sneaking about hadn’t only escaped his notice, but also theirs. He’d played billiards with Brock two evenings prior, eaten with the couple that very morning, and ridden to tonight’s ball in their coach. And her name hadn’t been uttered once, not a glimpse of her emerald eyes seen, nor the sound of her melodic voice drifting down a corridor.

“I was unaware until this evening, my lady.”

Vi laid her hand on Harold’s sleeve and leaned close, as if imparting a confidence. “Do not feel left out. She does not seek her presence here in London to be known.”

He lowered his voice in hopes of gaining more information. “That is very interesting considering she only just left a ball attended by close to three hundred of London’s most affluent.”

“Truly it is only one person she wishes to avoid.” A light chuckle accompanied her words.

His ears perked in interest. “And who shall we be avoiding during our stay?”

“What have you said to bring such a laugh from my wife?”

Harold turned at the same moment Lady Haversham did the same. Brock—Harold’s childhood friend and Vi’s husband—stood framed in the candlelight slipping out the open doors. His friend, recently retired from active duty to the King, struck a daunting figure.

“I jest.” Brock moved onto the terrace and joined the pair. “Don’t look so frightened or I will have no other choice but to assume you seek to steal my wife.”

“If I thought I stood a chance at winning her hand I would have made my move last season while you were still removing your head from places unknown.”