Page 81 of Forgotten No More

“Yes.” She watched her reaction closely. If Vi decided to turn her away, end their friendship, it was her right. Being linked to the marquis would not improve her rocky status about town. “At least he was known for that in his younger days.”

Instead of pulling back, Vi doubled over laughing. “So, you may very well have any number of siblings and be the daughter of a marquis.”

“Ah, then you have heard of him.”

“Oh yes, my father used to regale me with stories of a man thought to have sired an unknown number of London elite. Do not look so gloomy. Your mother could have chosen much worse.”

As Vi’s laughter quieted, she heard footsteps approaching down the hall. The butler would be returning with Ellie in tow. “Now, prepare yourself. My sister is a bit of a hellion herself.”

“More than you and me?”

Ruby had never seen them as eccentric or hellions, but it would have been an accurate term to describe them up until the previous year.

She hadn’t a chance to respond before her sister entered the room. “This man thinks to tell me what to do,” Ellie huffed as she pushed past the butler.

“Far more a hellion than us,” Ruby whispered to Vi.

“Well, can he tell me what to do, Ruby?” her sister continued. “Because, let us be clear, just because my—our—father passed away does not mean that you or anyone else can tell me what to do.”

“I only asked her to wait a moment,” Buttons said to Vi. “I did not mean any insult.”

“That will be all,” Vi said, waving the man off. “It was only a misunderstanding.”

When Buttons had gone, Vi turned a sympathetic smile on Ellie and patted the seat next to her. Ruby shrunk back against her chair, waiting for her sister’s temper to get the better of her again. To her astonishment, Ellie took the seat offered, crossing her legs at her ankles. If Ruby hadn’t already seen her sister in action—ever the con artist—she’d think the girl had been trained in the art of being a lady, and not fluent in running the streets, gambling, and picking pockets.

“You must be Ellington.” Vi smiled. “I am Lady Viola Haversham, your sister’s dearest friend.”

Ellie looked about the room. “Well, you certainly did marry above yourself. This is a right fancy place.”

“Elli—” Ruby exclaimed.

“No, that is all right,” Vi said, her smile never faltering. “My father is a lord of the realm. Therefore, I married a man within my social circle, not because of our birth status, but because we truly love one another.”

Ruby’s affection for her friend grew. So many would have rebuffed the girl for her insolence, but Vi was more sensitive than that.

“But you did not come here to discuss my fancy house, did you?”

“No, I came to see Ruby. I have something that belongs to her.” Ellie sent a sidelong glance in Ruby’s direction and held up a cloth sack she’d been holding. While Ruby would be happy to have her gloves returned, the trip was unnecessary. “Something I should have given her before.”

This contrite Ellie was one Ruby hadn’t seen before. She’d witnessed smug Ellie, selfish Ellie, conniving Ellie, broken Ellie, enraged Ellie—but never this resigned creature.

Her sister had obviously come for another reason.

Vi looked between the sisters. “I will leave the two of you to chat.” Standing, she closed the ledger she held and set it on the table as she left the room.

“Would you like some tea?” Ruby asked, at a loss for words.

“No.” Ellie held out the bag in her hand. “I only came to give this to you.”

Ellie tossed the bag into Ruby’s lap when she made no move to take it from her. “Go on, it’s yours. It won’t bite.”

She snatched the bag before it tumbled to the floor. “What is it?”

“Something I wanted to return before it was too late.” Ellie stood. “I better be going.”

“Wait.” She didn’t know when she would see Ellie again. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“I think it best—”