Page 83 of Forgotten No More

“I do not want your pity,” she threw back at Ruby.

“That is not what I am offering you.”

“—or your charity.”

“That is good because I have nothing to give, physically or monetarily.”

Ellie eyed her suspiciously.

“All I can offer you is love, understanding, and a place to lay your head… That is, as long as I can find a place for my own.” Ruby was making promises she hoped she could keep, knowing that the consequences for breaking them would be losing Ellie for good. “Do you know what happens next?”

“I hadn’t really thought about that,” Ellie confessed. “I figured I would spend a few days going through his stuff, selling what I could and packing up anything that could be useful to me later.”

Drake’s solicitor or next of kin wouldn’t throw the girl out overnight—at least Ruby hoped no one could be that cruel to a young girl who’d just lost her father. There was the possibility that Drake had provided for Ellie in his will, if his demise came before she was safely wed. Because of English law, there was little chance of the marquis providing anything more than a bit of funds and her personal belongings to his daughter. Technically, everything within the home and all country estates were included in the title, which would transfer to the closest male heir. Ruby had been through the same when Sir St. Augustin had passed. Her mother—and Ruby—lived off a small stipend left for them, and continued their residence at her family home only because the next baron held another title, which allowed him to live on that property.

“And then what?” Ruby knew she was being unfair, pushing Ellie too far. “Where will you go? If Drake never claimed you as his own I highly doubt he provided for you in his will.”

“You think I don’t have a place to go?” The words sounded harsh, yet Ruby heard the vulnerability in them.

“I haven’t the faintest idea if you have a place to go because you have never opened up to me, never confided in me.”

“I will go live with Marce at Craven House,” Ellie said. “She was my mother’s friend.”

“You would live at a brothel rather than with me, your sister?” Ruby asked in disbelief.

“If I have to.”

“But you do not have to, that’s what I am telling you.” Exasperation rang in her voice. “Please, think about living with me. We can take care of each other.”

“I do not—”

“Do not answer now.” Ruby was scared to hear her answer, fearing that changing her sister’s mind once she’d made a decision would be impossible. “Just think about coming to live here, with me. If it makes you feel better, stay at Drake House until you are told to leave, but know I will be here, waiting for you.”

Her sister had sought her out for a purpose. She was crying for help and Ruby would not disappoint her or turn her away, even though Ellie couldn’t at this time verbalize all she needed from her sister. Ruby knew well the pain of being abandoned, recalling the painful days after Sir St. Augustin’s death, when her own mother had banished her without explanation.

Ruby could not let her sister’s silent plea go unheard.

Harold stood outside the partly open door, stunned into silence. His heart ached for both women in the room—one who’d lost a father who’d never known her, and one who had lost a father she’d never known. And, by the sound of it, was on the verge of losing a sister in the bargain.

He longed to ease both their pain and take away their suffering.

His morning had been consumed with the enormous task of caring for William, and making sure his father had indeed left town. From there, he’d made straight for the jeweler on Bond Street. Harold’s place was here, simply because that was where Ruby was. As long as she resided in London, so would he.

Hearing the heart-wrenching discussion on the other side of the door solidified his decision, reinforcing his belief in his actions.

Ruby may not realize now that she needed him, but she did. Both she and Ellie did.

For once in his life he’d stood up and done what needed doing, even though it directly conflicted with his father’s demands. But, how to convince Ruby of his convictions? He was left with few options besides flat-out telling her how he felt and what he wanted for their future—basically demanding she marry him. Ruby had been afforded no options in her life thus far, and it would be unfair of him to force his feelings on her, especially if she didn’t feel the same.

The chance of her turning away from him after the previous evening together was not something he could risk.

Harold was unsure if the connection they’d shared the night before was true or born out of emotional and physical exhaustion, at least on her part. Alternatively, he’d never been so sure about his feelings and where his heart and future lay.

He only hoped to convince her of the same.

“Mr. Jakeston,” the housekeeper said, startling him. “I was just bringing tea to Miss Ruby and her guest. Should I pour a third cup?”

He turned back to the slightly ajar door to find both women staring at him. How he’d never fully grasped the resemblance before, he did not know. Now, he found it hard to see the pair and not instantly pick out their similarities. It went beyond their exact shade of green eyes. At the moment, they both scrutinized him, a look of confusion and irritation evident on their faces, each with one uplifted brow—Ruby’s the left, Ellie’s the right. Within another year or so Ellie would grow to be as tall as her sister, of that Harold had no doubt.