Page 27 of Forgotten No More

Relief flooded her. Maybe she hadn’t been caught…in the act, at least.

It was time she reassessed her plan, possibly put a bit more thought into her ideas before she actually acted on them. Her goal tonight had been fairly simple: confirm that the Marquis of Drake was safely ensconced at White’s, whether gaming or drinking, so that she could return to his home and look around.

It should have taken very little thought. Unfortunately, she’d put far too much thought into it, hoping to avoid getting caught as she had a few nights before. Ruby had verified the Drake’s carriage was parked in the stable, his livery enjoying a spot of cards themselves with other servants awaiting their masters. Instead of leaving posthaste, getting a peek inside the Drake townhouse, and returning home with none the wiser, she’d had to see the man. Whether it was to verify he was seated at a table and busy for the next few hours or for her own selfish need to set eyes on him, Ruby did not know.

It was much the same with every man she looked into. She dreamed at night of laying eyes on a man and knowing, beyond a doubt, that he was her kin. Her nighttime musing spiraled out of control from there. Many nights she awoke with a smile on her face after the man in her dreams also recognized her for who she was, his long-lost flesh and blood returned to him. He would take her in his arms, hug her, and tell her how long he had searched for her over the years. But the smile faded quickly; her father had known of her existence, and he’d never come for her.

Now, she was flying back to the Haversham townhouse in case Harold and Lord Haversham had indeed caught a glimpse of her. She would wait there for a bit, using the time to regroup. Then, she’d see if time still allowed her to complete her task. If it wasn’t tonight, she’d have to wait another few days for Drake to leave his house again. Curse the man for being such a recluse and making it so bloody hard to gain entry to his home. Alex could only provide so much information and access before he too put himself in danger of detection.

Ruby would never forgive herself if he lost his position due to her own carelessness. Alex had shared more than Ruby deserved, seeing as how she couldn’t tell him why she needed the information. She could not repay his kindness by leading Harold straight to Drake’s residence.

The trip back to the townhouse gave her time to ponder what she’d seen. Drake was a lord like any other. She could still see the quality of his clothes, despite him being seated at a table. Nothing about the man struck her as familiar. He was much younger than his form gave off. His frail, stooped stature added at least ten years to his appearance. She would be at a loss for what her mother saw in the man, if Drake was the one she’d been searching for.

She called to the coachman to drive round to the stables when they drew close to the townhouse. It would be far easier to slip inside through the stables unnoticed than entering the front door for all the household staff to witness—and gossip about.

The hack stopped one house down from the Haversham townhouse, in the alley.

“That’ll be six pence, miss.” The hand he held out to accept his fare was as grimy as Ruby knew her dress was from her time on the floor.

The suspicious look the driver gave her matched the one she’d given his outstretched hand.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Ruby dropped the money in his palm and crawled down from the conveyance, neither seeking nor wanting his assistance.

“Thank ye.”

She nodded before making her way back to the Haversham stable, careful to keep to the shadows. Hiring a hack in London—while not too problematic—was tiresome in the extreme. One never knew if they’d make it safely to their destination or not. Thankfully, her driver this night was versed in the streets of London and delivered her home in one piece.

All that was left was to assure herself that no one within the townhouse knew of her departure and subsequent re-arrival, retrieve her lock picks from her stationery desk, and then she could be on her way again.

One day, she hoped to get things right and have just one evening go as she’d planned. With any luck, she’d find out who her father was, give herself the peace of mind needed to resume her life, and put this unfortunate time behind her.

The house was quiet as she left through the kitchen door, careful to pull it fully shut so Cook did not suspect someone had used it after she’d retired to bed. It would greatly hamper Ruby’s ability to come and go if the door was suddenly locked to her. Picking the lock on a desk may be within her limited ability, but the one on this door would take quite a bit more coaxing, and would likely garner some attention with the noise.

The stable was as abandoned as the house. Lord Haversham and Vi were out for the evening and not expected to return for several hours. Most of the stable hands were either abed or out seeking their own evening entertainment.

The lane behind the townhouse was mere steps away, and her intended destination only a few minutes’ hurried walk. Perhaps her evening might just improve after all.

A shadow stepped in front of her and her hopes plummeted deep into the dirt beneath her feet.

“We must stop meeting in such dubious surroundings. I much prefer an evening meal or afternoon tea together. But a nightly stroll is also suitable to my tastes.”

Chapter 11

“I truly do not know why I let you drag me into this reckless search.” Harold squeezed between two pieces of furniture draped in white cloth and paused. “Which way now?”

“Oh, that is rich!” Ruby hissed. “I did not ask for your assistance, nor do I want it. In fact, I would take no offense if you called off now.” She’d tried to lead him off by telling him she was only visiting the stables, but he’d called her bluff. That had left her with only two choices: Miss her chance to search the marquis’ home while he was out, or take Harold with her. If she was to expedite her plan—which she was committed to doing—then another wasted night was not acceptable.

Harold laughed. “Not a chance. You know my penchant for helping damsels in distress. It seems I’m quite adept at it, too.”

She regretted her decision greatly.

“And for the millionth time, I will remind you that I am not—” Ruby paused to emphasize her next words. “—and never will be, in distress. I am perfectly capable of handling my own life and everything it entails.”

She followed Harold through the narrow opening and looked around the dusty, deserted room. According to Alex, this room should house the Marquis of Drake’s study, but it appeared to have been abandoned and unused for over twenty years.

Harold ran his hand over a flat surface. The cloth either covered a massive desk or a forgotten pile of rubbish. Ruby prayed it was the former, but judging from the look of the room it very well may cover something useless to her search.

“I should at least be given some explanation of why we are here, seeing as I might likely take the brunt of the punishment if we are caught.”