Page 87 of Forgotten No More

He quickly moved his hand, keeping it just out of her reach. “Ah-ah, allow me.”

She sat back, preparing herself.

Harold cleared his voice before he began to read:

“Ruby,

“We have been hurt, unequivocally damaged, by the unfortunate circumstances of our birth. While our father was a cruel man, we are not him and he does not dictate who we choose to be in the future. Mere words cannot express my regret at having taken away your only chance to meet our father. I believe the items enclosed with this note belong rightfully to you.”

Ruby wanted to cry. Her sister’s note said everything Ruby had never realized she needed to hear from her sister.

Harold continued, “Signed with fondness, your much prettier sister.”

“Oh, you!” Ruby exclaimed. “She wrote no such thing.” She made to snatch the note once again, but landed across his lap when he held the letter over his head and out of her reach.

When she looked up, her face was mere inches from his, her body entirely bent over his lap. Too late, she realized her mistake.

He grabbed her about the waist and sat her down next to him, their legs touching. The heat from his skin could be felt through her skirt. Their brief moment in the marquis’ study and then again in the playhouse swarmed her mind—not to mention the few private moments they’d spent in each other’s arms the evening before. She sighed, pushing thoughts of the note aside, replacing it with the feeling of him close. His hand settled on her thigh, kneading through the fabric of her dress until she flamed so hot she wanted nothing more than to rip the material from her own body.

“Harold…” she sighed.

Before she could take another breath, his warm lips were upon hers, demanding yet patient. The light of the room faded, the stress of the moment disappeared with each brush of his mouth against hers, and the future brightened as she sank into his arms. She couldn’t remember when, but they’d come to hold her tightly, pressing possessively and securely into her lower back.

His lips moved from hers to trail down her neck, lightly nipping as they went. This was more than a kiss they shared, she realized suddenly. There was a decision he was waiting for—a decision she hadn’t even known was hers to make. Whatever it was, whatever their future might be, she knew in that moment that, if it was in her power, she would give Harold all he asked.

Chapter 34

Ruby St. Augustin stood between her sister and Harold, the pair effectively blocking the wind that threatened to rip the hat from her head. Behind her, Lord and Lady Haversham huddled closely against the frigid late morning air, the lord’s arms cradling his pregnant wife.

At both sides stood the marquis’ household and livery staff, their number nowhere near the amount of hands Ruby suspected it took to care for her father’s massive London townhouse. Across from the group, four women stood huddled together close to the house to block the unrelenting wind. Ruby could pick out Marce’s blonde curls from beneath her hood. The other women must reside with her at Craven House.

They gathered in the gardens behind the Drake townhouse to say a quick farewell to the father Ruby had never known.

The mood was somber, as one would expect of such an occasion. The sober atmosphere had little to do with the tragedy of Drake’s death, however, and all to do with the uncertainty that every person in attendance faced. The servants worried their employment and livelihood would be stripped when a new relative claimed the title and all endowed to it.

Ruby feared her moments with her sister were coming to an end. Would Ellie disappear into the night; find solace at Craven House with the woman who knew her better than Ruby? The life Ellie would fall into frightened her. She deserved so much more than living in a brothel, surrounded by women of dubious circumstances. While the girl had seen more, experienced more than Ruby had in her short life, she knew Ellie was easily influenced—and that terrified her even further.

Her sister hadn’t shed a single tear since Ruby left her the day of their father’s passing. It worried her that Ellie was becoming more jaded and hardened to life, and in turn would push the people away who cared for her most. While Ruby was unfamiliar with Craven House and its occupants, she couldn’t imagine her sister’s life improving if she spent more time on the outskirts of society.

The familiarity of the occasion was not lost on Ruby. While the season was different, her state of mind more mature, and the people surrounding her were more than she could have hoped for, the sadness was the same. This time, however, that sadness was not for her or her own loss, but for Ellie. Her life was to change to a degree that neither of them could predict.

Ruby also mourned for a man who’d never given his daughters a chance to truly know him—to give him the love that every person deserved. He’d led a life of self-destruction, which eventually ended with only a few caring for his departed soul—if anyone present actually cared more than to be witness to his body being lowered into the ground.

She hadn’t known Drake, but the man who had raised Ruby had been everything Drake hadn’t been: nurturing, supportive, compassionate. The marquis had never had a part in her life, and for that she could be thankful.

Harold released his comforting hold on her elbow and stepped before the small gathering, turning to face everyone. In turn, Ruby moved closer to her sister and wrapped her arm loosely around her waist for support.

“I was asked by the Marquis of Drake’s—” Harold cleared his throat before continuing. “—ward, Lady Ellington, to lead this gathering in a short prayer for the deceased.”

Ruby marveled at Harold’s ease when addressing the crowd. They’d agreed to keep Ellie’s true relationship to Drake as vague as possible until they’d ascertained more information about the future. The man had never seen fit to claim his own daughter, even though she’d lived with him nearly since her birth. As far as Ruby’s connection to Drake, she was here only as a friend and supporter of Lady Ellington’s, and nothing more.

As she stepped closer to Ellie to comfort her, Vi took a step forward and settled her hand on Ruby’s shoulder. Ruby had been so worried about Ellie and her well-being that she’d had little time to think about herself. There would be another day for her to delve into her own feelings and sort through them.

Today—this goodbye—was solely for Ellington.

A chance for her to gain closure, to say goodbye—and possibly good riddance—to the man she’d longed to call father, yet was denied and rebuffed time and time again.

Harold’s prayer and words of remembrance washed over Ruby. The rise and fall of his voice enchanted her. Despite his ease in the role, she knew the life of a country vicar was not for him—it would be a waste of his life here on earth. He was destined for greater things. His way with people came so naturally, both here and in larger social settings. Given half the chance, he would fascinate the ton—make them truly wonder if he did not hold a title and the education of a lord of the realm.