Page 12 of Forgotten No More

Harold anxiously paced the length of the stable. He had no clue what was taking so long to prepare the coach. There was limited time before it would need to be returned and readied for this evening’s entertainment, and he had a pressing engagement about which he was experiencing considerable anxiety.

Finally, he sat on a crate against the stable wall to wait…and think.

The note that had arrived shortly after Harold’s arrival in London couldn’t be ignored forever. His older brother William requested to meet with him. It being the first contact they’d had in over five years, Harold should have jumped at the chance—if nothing else, only to see how William was getting on, no longer under the thumb of their father.

Instead, he found himself concerned. Was it not possible that Vicar Jakeston had written one of his older sons, complaining about the waywardness of his youngest? If his father had enlisted the help of Harold’s brothers to convince Harold to return home, he was unsure what he’d do.

Ruby and her mischievousness had distracted him for a time. He told himself his interest had nothing to do with her tempting grace and kissable lips, and all to do with her suspicious activities. His attraction to her was of no consequence. His involvement extended only so far as verifying that her actions were not putting Lady Haversham’s reputation and feelings in jeopardy. And if he repeated that to himself enough, he thought dryly, perhaps he would eventually believe it.

As if he’d conjured her out of thin air, Ruby herself entered the stables dressed in a brocade walking dress of the palest orange. The color would be utterly frightening on any other female, but Ruby’s dark hair and green eyes worked well with the shade.

She held her head high as she moved through the stables and toward the lane beyond.

“And where might you be off to?” he asked.

She let out a squeal and jumped in panic. “Harold! Do you seek to try the nerves of every person in your acquaintance?” Her hand lay flat against her chest, as if to calm her racing heart.

“I beg your pardon, but I did not seek you out. It is you who have stumbled upon me awaiting the Haversham carriage.”

When she only stared, he continued. “Are you going somewhere? I would be happy to escort you.” Harold knew he didn’t have time to deliver her to her destination, possibly be called upon to wait, and deliver her back home without missing his meeting.

“I am going somewhere,” she said hesitantly. “…but I am in no need of a chaperone.”

“Do you plan to ride?”

“No. It is only a short walk.”

“Would you like company on your short walk?”

“Again, that is not necessary. Lady Haversham is sending me on an errand for her, and I do not expect to be long.”

“Mr. Jakeston,” a stable hand called. “Your carriage is ready.”

He was torn between following Miss Ruby or jumping into the carriage and being on his way. He was already running late.

“Why are you awaiting a carriage here and not having it brought round to the front?” she asked.

He preferred being the one to ask the questions, and this one resonated a bit too closely. “Uh—I’m in a hurry, and the street in front is very crowded this time of day.”

“Oh, I see,” she said. “Well, I must be going—and I know you’re also in a rush. I hope to see you again soon.”

From her curt dismissal, he knew she wanted nothing less than to see him again soon, which suited him well. He was in possession of her list, and intended to find out her motives without her help.

“Have a wonderful afternoon, Miss Ruby.”

Ruby glanced over her shoulder several times as she walked down the lane. Harold’s carriage had taken him in the opposite direction, but she still worried the man would depart his conveyance and follow her.

Thankfully, he seemed in a hurry and not prone to lagging about for her sake. She hadn’t paid much attention to his comings and goings since her arrival in town, but she did wonder what he was up to. Not that it mattered as long as he was occupied with matters other than her. He hadn’t mentioned anything about their time in the salon earlier in the day, or their chance meeting at Lord Yorkton’s function. It was possible he’d already lay the incident to rest.

Determinedly, she put the matter of Mr. Jakeston out of her mind. She hoped to solve the mystery of her father soon. Then…she had no idea.

Would she approach the man, or would she simply remove herself to the country knowing who he was—even if he was unaware of her?

Time would tell. She feared her emotions would dictate her next actions.

But, at the moment, she was no closer to finding the man than she’d been when she first arrived in London.

With her list tucked securely in her pocket, she went to check on Alex, one of Vi’s previous charges. Alex had moved to London the previous year in hopes of working in a fine stable. That Vi had found him employment with the Marquis of Drake—who happened to be on Ruby’s list—was a coincidence Ruby saw no point in questioning.