Page 46 of Forgotten No More

“I think you have done quite enough for me lately.” She increased her pace.

“Oh, but I would never leave a lady unescorted on the streets of London, regardless of the sword I may have protruding from my back.”

“You know I did not mean—”

“Do not bother apologizing for your rude and careless comments.”

“I had no intention of apologizing. I only meant I should not have verbalized my thoughts.” She eyed him from the corner of her eye. “What were you doing giving that man an envelope of money?”

He knew the change of subject was meant to throw him off guard, but he hadn’t grown up with two older siblings and countless others about the estate to be fooled so easily.

“Here’s a proposition: I answer your questions if you answer a few of mine.”

“So this is a fishing expedition?” she asked. “You think you can strong-arm me into telling you all?”

“It is not the worst idea.” Harold wanted to laugh. She was smart as a whip, and knew it. Maybe he didn’t stand a chance against her. Giving up his quest for answers may not be the honorable thing to do, but would most certainly save his ego from another good beating.

She sighed. “Just tell me who the man is.”

She was as tired of the banter as he was, but could he trust her to give him information in return? He shouldn’t be surprised that she hadn’t recognized William. Even Harold had to admit he was a shell of the man he’d once been. His wasted frame, even in newly tailored clothes, was seriously lacking.

“I find I do not feel inclined to be forthcoming in my business dealings.”

“Maybe I will be so inclined as to ask Lord and Lady Haversham about your business dealings.”

“Then I will be forced to speak with Lady Haversham about your evening escapades.”

Neither noticed they’d stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, forcing others to navigate around them. They stood face to face, toe to toe, drawing the attention of several people.

“I guess we are at what they call a stalemate,” Ruby hissed, hands on her hips.

“My lady, we are anything but stale.”

Her eyes widened. “Your manners are sorely inadequate.”

The words rolled off him, not even piercing the hard shell he’d wrapped his emotions in since their earlier confrontation. “Be that as it may, Miss Ruby, I will be escorting you back to Haversham townhouse. In the future, I will endeavor to stay out of your way, if you’ll agree to extend me the same courtesy.”

“It will be my pleasure.” She extended her hand.

Grasping it, he tucked it into the crook of his arm, and, as if they hadn’t only a moment before been close to shouting at each other on a crowded London street, they turned and began the short walk back to Haversham townhouse.

If she thought she could play coy with him, she had another thing coming. He may not have answers now, but he would get to the bottom of her reason for being in London.

And he would do everything in his power to avoid it adversely affecting Lady Haversham.

As she walked, her hand securely tucked into the crook of his arm, she wondered if the draw she felt to him went further than she knew. It was as if the powers to be were pushing them together, compelling them closer. Part of her wanted to accept it, while it was most likely only that Harold was following her and nothing to do with anything else.

“A shilling for your thoughts?” he asked beside her.

She peeked up at him, fearing making full eye contact. She turned into a bumbling idiot every time she looked directly at him. It would not behoove her to speak of too much, yet she deeply regretted her previous harsh words. It didn’t matter that she discouraged him at every turn, he still tried.

Their evening on the pond had shown her they could have a conversation without revealing too much and without her treating him poorly. If they were to spend the season living with Vi and Lord Haversham, they needed to be civil. Their hosts were not dull, and would most certainly notice the pair avoiding each other.

“Sometimes, even though we are right next to each other, I feel you are miles away. Why is that?”

“I think the same thing,” she confided.

“Do you ever just want to let go and not worry so much?” He stared straight ahead as he talked. “Maybe disappear for a while and start something all your own.”