Page 33 of Forgotten No More

“Are you insane?”

“No more insane than you.”

“And why would you think me insane?” he asked, exasperated. “I’m not the one putting myself in danger night after night on some wild goose chase for God knows what!”

She stopped so suddenly he ran into her, almost knocking them both to the ground. “Wild goose chase? Is that what you think I’m doing? Wasting my time and jeopardizing myself on a flight of fancy?”

“What other explanation have you given me?” he countered.

Every word he spoke was correct, but Ruby knew she couldn’t trust anyone with her secret—not even Lord Haversham’s closest friend. “I did not invite you to come along. In fact, I distinctly remember asking you to leave me to my own devices on several occasions.” She wanted to scream, to throw her hands up in frustration, to storm off and leave him behind.

“You still plan to tell me nothing?” he asked.

Ruby shook her head. To unburden herself would alleviate her strain, yet the consequences would be too great to herself—and her family.

“So, you will allow me to think the worst? Because that is exactly what’s going through my mind at the moment. I can help you…if you’ll only allow me.”

They glared at each other in the dark lane, neither willing to give. She wanted to accept his assistance more than anything, and she knew he wanted to ease her worries. The strength of his arms when he’d held her in Drake’s study told her as much. As he hadn’t let her fall then, he would not let her fall now.

If only she had the strength to take what he offered her.

“There is naught you can do for me, but stay out of my way.” As soon as the words were out, she longed to take them back. His face clouded in pain and confusion. When she spoke again, she gentled her tone. “Please, let me handle my affairs. They do not concern you.”

“May I at least escort you home?” he asked.

“I am sure you have other plans for this evening. Alex will walk me the few blocks back to the Haversham townhouse.” He wanted to protest, she could see, but Ruby continued before he could. “I will stay safe, I promise.”

“No more breaking and entering?”

“Not tonight. My luck has been tested to the limits for one day,” she reassured him.

He sighed. “I meant, no more breaking and entering—period.”

“You know I cannot guarantee it won’t be necessary again.” She paused, wanting to soothe his fears, but unwilling to make promises she couldn’t keep. “But I will avoid it at all cost.”

Harold lived an open life, secure in his position as a country vicar. He knew a fulfillment Ruby never would. He would make a solid husband, provider, and protector one day—but not for someone with a birthright as scandalous as Ruby’s. He deserved so much better.

Ruby hoped one day to discover who she truly was and where she belonged. Until then, she was Ruby St. Augustin—daughter of Angus and Pearl St. Augustin. The daughter of a baron.

She was a lie.

Born out of deceit.

Raised under false pretenses.

Cursed to live a lonely, forgotten existence.

Chapter 13

The afternoon was warm, with nary the hint of a cooling breeze. Harold cursed the weather as he adjusted his jacket, seeking some form of relief from the heat as sweat pooled at the center of his back. His only boon was the fact that most members of the ton chose to stay indoors during these long afternoon dry spells, which meant less of a chance he’d be discovered lurking about the drive of a certain lord and lady.

He’d tried to dissuade himself from his folly of looking into a few of the men on Ruby’s list, but he couldn’t help his curiosity. All the men were of a certain age and status about town. Some married, some widowed, some already in their grave. There was no rhyme or reason to the list. Unfortunately, he saw it as the only means for answers she was unwilling to give him. That two of the men happened to be acquainted with Brock had Harold on edge. If she, in the end, was up to something that would hurt Lady Haversham or Brock, Harold knew he’d have to go to his friend with his suspicions. But by that time, he intended to have a few facts—hard proof of what she was, or was not, doing.

So, instead of sparring with Brock at his fencing club, Harold was here, outside some random gentleman’s house—practically sitting in the shrubs…waiting. Waiting for what, he hadn’t a clue. The last two men he’d looked into had also shed no light on Ruby or her reasons for being in London. They were ordinary men, going about normal lives. Neither were excessively wealthy nor overtly handsome, not that Harold was a fair judge on the attractiveness of other men. They were distinguished, active members of the ton, whose long family lineages were rooted in tradition.

All things Harold did not possess: wealth, prestige, or strong lineage.

The main attributes women longed for when choosing a mate.