Page 75 of Forgotten No More
When she fell silent, he asked, “Did you meet him?” He wanted desperately to know what had happened behind those closed doors as he’d waited outside. Something had clearly upset her.
“No.”
“Why ever not? If you need someone to go with you—for support, or whatnot—I am here.”
“That will not be necessary. He passed away.”
“When?” The pieces suddenly fell into place; Alex had brought word to her at the ball.
“This evening.”
“I am sorry.”
“Do not be. He is—was—a horrible man, or so my sister claims.”
“Ellie?”
“Yes.”
“I suspected he was Lady Ellie’s father all along.” He didn’t know which was worse; having a rake who was rumored to have fathered children with several of London’s most elite women, or a sister whose actions were considerably less than honorable. “Not to mention the resemblance between the two of you.”
“What resemblance?”
Harold was surprised she hadn’t seen it before now. “You both have the same green eyes. The color is the same, even if the souls looking out have lived completely different lives.”
“Truly?”
Harold saw how much she wanted to believe they shared a resemblance; in her eyes, she thought she’d found her place. But how to convince her that she’d always have a place with him, no matter if it was only friendship or something more? “Yes, and do not get me started on your mannerisms and fair skin tone.”
“Despite how damaged she appears, I believe there is more to her than fire and bitterness. I’ve seen glimpses of that, and hope to see more. If we will only get to know her.”
“Ellington is no more a child than you are.” Did she not see her sister was a woman, even though she acted the child in some ways? “I look forward to making her acquaintance on these new terms, if you will have that.”
She smiled for the first time since she’d entered the room. “I would like that greatly.”
With her timid smile turned on him, he knew if she only employed the right techniques she could steal any man’s heart, have them relinquishing all they held dear without a second thought. She didn’t need to sail the seven seas or wield a pirate sword to capture his heart.
His father had always maintained the belief that one did not need to travel to London or even the next shire to find one’s intended mate. Harold’s own mother only grew up a few minutes’ walk from the vicarage. And Harold had always thought him daft for never seeking out the wonders of the world—or even on a smaller scale, the wonders of his own country.
At least on this one count, Harold had been a fool.
Chapter 31
Ruby watched him closely, waiting for him to withdraw from her or to break eye contact. To tell her she was on her own and to forget their friendship, a relationship made impossible by her mother’s affair and Ruby’s bastard birth.
She waited for the deafening silence that would come as he thought through his means of escape.
She waited for the excuses he would use to explain his reasons for distancing himself from her.
She waited for the loneliness and desolation that would follow his physical and emotional departure.
It was inevitable. Most of all, she would have to keep her own emotions under control. He did not deserve the tears and crying that were sure to follow. He’d been so kind to her, had helped her in ways she could never expect to repay. But she did know she would not repay him with histrionics when he decided to end whatever they had between them. She’d done her best to push him away since the day they’d become reacquainted, and now he could only do what she’d been anticipating all along.
Ruby watched him, waiting for him to remove himself physically from her as she felt he had emotionally done already. His pensive expression did little to soothe her nerves.
The hour grew late, and they had both survived much emotional turmoil this night. She should excuse herself and retire to her room, for what was sure to be a sleepless night spent dwelling on all the impending hardships and life changes to come. But she could not tear herself from the room.
She could not tear herself from him.
