Page 59 of Forgotten No More

“Lady Haversham,” he said. “I do apologize for my ungentlemanly behavior.”

“If anyone was acting ungentlemanly I have no doubt it is my newest cousin by marriage.” Lady Haversham smiled, her demeanor changing. “I do thank you for chasing him off.”

“You have done everyone involved a favor,” Brock cut in. “If you hadn’t chased him off, then I most certainly would have. Let us take this inside. I find myself in need of a drink.” Brock took Lady Haversham’s arm and they moved into the house, Harold trailing behind.

Harold glanced around the foyer, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ruby while at the same time fearing she’d stumble upon them, her bruise on display for all. Thankfully, she did not appear, so he assumed she was safely up the stairs and in her room by now.

“Well, gentlemen, I am afraid I am exhausted and my feet are sorely in need of a good soaking.” Lady Haversham kissed Brock on the cheek and gave Harold a quick hug and a smile. “If you will excuse me.”

Both men bowed as she left the room.

Once they were ensconced in Brock’s study, drinks in hand, his friend asked question after question.

“So, what happened?”

“Rodney arrived the same time as I and things got out of hand.”

“Bullshit.”

“You doubt that just encountering the man makes my blood boil?”

“Oh, I do not doubt that,” Brock said. “But I also know you are not me. It takes more than a look or a few words to set you off.”

“Maybe I have changed.”

“Highly doubtful. After all these years of Rodney trying to anger you, now is the time you decided to fight back and put him in his place?”

“That’s exactly it.”

Brock shook his head. “Sorry, my friend. That just does not ring true.”

“Well, it is the truth.”

“Fine, you can keep your secrets, but know that I am here for you—and Vi is, too. She loves you like a brother. And furthermore, if I even think you are in any type of trouble, I will step in and you will have no other option but to tell me what is going on.”

“What? You think you are my father or something?” Harold asked, jokingly.

Brock sobered and turned a serious look on Harold. “Do not compare my love for you to that man’s manipulative and vindictive actions—ever.” His friend leaned over and tapped Harold’s tumbler with his own and then drained the alcohol.

“To best friends and thankless family,” Harold saluted and emptied his own glass.

“Another?” Brock asked.

“Most definitely,” Harold answered—because getting drunk was far preferable to talking about things he was in no way prepared to discuss, even with his best friend.

Chapter 24

“Lady Ellie, please.” Ruby handed her new calling card, compliments of Vi, to the doorman. “She is expecting me.” She plastered a smile on her face, fearing it didn’t reach her eyes when her still swollen cheek ached, though she knew the cream was applied heavily enough to cover the bruise.

Someone once told her that a person could fool themselves into feeling something they did not. So, today, with a smile on her face, a lovely walking dress and her newly arrived calling cards in hand, Ruby had left the Haversham townhouse to take Ellington on their second outing. While she dreaded the hours to follow, she would make the best of the situation knowing she only had one outing left in their agreement.

Then, she and Harold would have naught to worry about. The threat of gossip spreading amongst the ton would be gone and they could go on as they always had, without the scrutinizing eye of society beating down on them.

It took her a moment to realize the doorman had left her standing on the front steps when he went in search of Ellie. She’d been in the house twice now, once in the dead of night and the other to collect Ellie for their first outing.

Stepping into the foyer, Ruby closed the door behind her and stared. The grandeur of society homes still left her breathless with awe. It was exorbitant how much it took to maintain a property such as this, something Ruby viewed as the height of wastefulness.

The ceiling, complete with grand chandelier, towered three stories above her head. Her neck hurt after only a few seconds of staring at the exquisite crown molding, painted a delicate cream. She traced the walls down to the immaculately polished granite that stretched in every direction and down each hall. The servants it took to keep this house ready to entertain at a moment’s notice also must cost the marquis a small fortune: butler, doorman, maids, cook, valets, and a livery of the finest handlers in all of London.