Page 90 of Forgotten No More

“Nothing would please me more than to parade this woman—” he gestured to Ruby, “—in front of all of London society and claim her as my own.”

“Then things are settled. Lady Darlingiver will be quite merry to hear we have yet another wedding to arrange.” The first genuine smile Ruby had ever seen spread across her mother’s face. “The pair of you will have naught to fret about. We will handle everything. I think the week after next will be perfect. The blossoms are still abloom.”

“Wait a moment,” Ruby said in disbelief. “I do not need you, Mother, to handle my affairs for me, especially affairs of the heart. And you,” she addressed Harold. “I am not a piece of chattel to be bartered over and claimed.”

“Well, do you love this man?” Pearl asked.

“I do, but that is naught of your concern,” Ruby countered. “Harold and I are perfectly capable—”

“Do you agree to marry him?” her mother asked.

“I have not been asked properly and will decided that when I am.”

“Oh,” Ellie muttered from her place by the door.

She’d forgotten her sister’s presence and could only imagine the girl’s thoughts on Ruby’s family drama—a family she was now a part of.

“Ruby?” her sister continued. “I think—”

She looked up from her mother to scold Ellie for getting involved. “Do you seek to give your opinion as well?” Why everyone thought they had a say in her life, she did not understand.

“Open your eyes and see what is right before you, Ruby.” Ellie gestured to Ruby’s side.

Turning, Ruby found Harold kneeling in front of her, his hand outstretched with a small box perched in his palm. “Miss Ruby St. Augustin—”

“No!” she exclaimed.

“No?” Everyone in the room responded.

“Can you not hear what I have to say before answering in the negative?” Harold asked. “This may well be the only time I am able to kneel before a woman whom I greatly admire and love more than I ever thought possible.”

Chapter 35

The timing was horribly wrong. His knickers a bit tight for his kneeling position. The room overcrowded by two.

But…the woman before him was exactly right, which solved all the wrongs of the moment. She perched on the chaise lounge in her dress of the darkest navy, mourning a father she’d never known. Her posture and poise were that of a woman born into the elite circles of society, and unbeknownst to Ruby, she had been—although her lineage mattered naught to him. He cared only that she was kind, loving, compassionate, and intelligent. There was no doubt that she was all those things—along with opinionated, cunning, strong-willed, and stubborn.

She stared at him for a long silent moment before someone in the room cleared their voice.

It was then Harold realized everyone was waiting for him to speak. Suddenly, every thought fled his mind. While he hadn’t planned to ask for her hand this day, he had started to prepare a speech listing all her amazing qualities and outlining all his attributes—should she need extra convincing—immediately after finding the perfect ring a few days prior.

“Miss Ruby,” he started again.

“I believe you can call her plain Ruby,” Ellie whispered behind him.

“Oh, certainly. I do believe you are correct, Lady Ellie.” He cleared his throat, smiled at Ruby’s sister over his shoulder, and attempted to start anew. “Ruby, I do apologize for the untimely moment of this, but…” He stopped flat when he saw tears welling in her eyes.

He’d botched it—possibly his only opportunity.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, Ruby. Please, do not cry. We can speak of this another time.”

He pulled back his outstretched hand, still clutching the tiny velvet box where the most delicate ruby ring sat nestled inside.

But Ruby reached out for him, stopping Harold before he rose to his feet.

She smiled, the most radiant, heartwarming smile he’d ever seen—and would ever behold again in his lifetime, he was certain. “They are not tears of sadness, though of course this is a sad day. I am crying because I am overwhelmed—”

“I beg of you, we can speak of this at a more appropriate time,” Harold cut her off. Now was not the time for her to be making life-changing decisions, and he’d pushed this on her, overwhelming her to the point of tears. “Or never again, if that is your want.”