Page 61 of Forgotten No More

“As you are a good person?” he questioned. “You think I do not know of your less-than-model activities when you are not here? Does she also seek the thrill of picking pockets for extra coin? Have you taken her to meet that Davenport woman?”

“Stop!”

“Maybe you both will seek employment as trollops. I dare say gentlemen will enjoy your fiery spirit and red hair. Although, she is a bit old for most men’s liking. The apple never falls far from the tree. Why do you not bring her up to meet me?”

A bit old? A bastard? The comments bounced through her head, giving her an instant migraine.

“I will never bring her to you.” Ellie’s voice once again rose. “You do not deserve her and I will not let you hurt her as you have me.”

“Ah! So you have not been honest with her? I expected nothing less from you.”

“I have told her enough.”

“What will she think when she finds out the truth about you? All the sordid details of your past—your less than noble lineage? Do you think she will want anything to do with you then? The bastard child of a harlot is worthless and disposable.”

“Just as you disposed of my mother when you learned she carried your child?”

The similarities in the story unfolding on the floor above and her own were undeniable—and utterly terrifying.

She’d possibly found her father—and a sister in the process.

Ruby wanted to run up the stairs to stop the abuse, but at the same time found herself rooted to the spot, fearing that if she intruded on them, she wouldn’t get the answers she sought. No matter the terribleness of the truth, she wanted to hear it all. She needed to hear every word.

And then she would need time to process everything.

She hadn’t dreamed finding her father would include more heartache than she’d been through thus far. No, she’d been naive, her thoughts circling around a father, arms open wide, embracing her, showering her with the love she’d so missed since Sir St. Augustin passed.

Instead, she was faced with a possibility worse than any she could have imagined: A rake who used and discarded women like it was sport for a father. And a rebellious, untamable blackmailer for a sister.

Ruby had a soft spot for Ellington, despite her ugly words and sticky fingers. Her behavior made so much more sense now, hearing what Ellie probably dealt with on a daily basis since she’d come to live with the marquis. Could she blame the girl for doing what she had to in order to survive?

The angry voices had stalled above, possibly seeking more words to hurl—worse words. Something to wound the other as much as they themselves were hurting. What more could the pair dredge up?

“I wish I would have disposed of the pair of you in a more permanent way!”

And with that, the insults moved to a new level—and she knew she had to put an end to it. There was nothing more anyone would gain from their continued assault on each other.

A door slammed above and muffled shouts erupted.

Ruby took the stairs as fast as her dress would allow and turned down the first hallway, colliding with Ellington.

They bounced off each other, both keeping their balance—and stared at each other.

Ellington’s face was puffy and red, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

“Ell—”

Ellington straightened her shoulders, blinking rapidly to rid her eyes of unshed tears. “You are early,” she said through tight lips. “Can you never do anything correctly?”

Ruby wanted to take the girl into her arms, give her the affection she so clearly lacked…and needed. “I was waiting downstairs, but I heard yelling.” She didn’t want Ellie to think she’d been eavesdropping, but also needed her to know she’d heard every cruel, hurtful word.

“I do not know of what you speak.” She made to push past Ruby. “And it would behoove you to stop snooping around the homes of others; it is highly rude and suspect.”

Could the girl really compartmentalize everything that had just happened and walk out the front door as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred? “I only came upstairs to help you—”

“You think I need help? Especially your help,” Ellie cut her off. “No one can help me. And if you are smart, you’ll depart before you fall too far to be saved, as well.”

The depth of those words ran deeper than any ocean.