Page 84 of Forgotten No More

“Good morning, ladies,” he said, stepping into the room. “I do hope I find you both in good health and spirit today.” He wanted to tell Ellie how sorry he was to hear about her father, but did not want to betray Ruby’s trust if Drake’s passing was to be kept between them.

He received identical nods.

The Haversham housekeeper wheeled the tea cart past him and into the room.

“I hope I am not interrupting something.” From the snippet he’d heard from the hallway, he knew he most certainly was interrupting an important conversation. When neither responded, he continued, “I can be on my way if this is an inopportune time.”

Ellie spoke first, flipping her hand in his direction. “It matters naught if you are here, or just the two of us. I only came to return something that rightfully belongs to her.”

Ruby scrutinized the sack, tied tight with a length of cord.

Her anxiety and trepidation could be felt by all in the room, Harold was sure.

“Will that be all?” the housekeeper asked as she backed from the room.

Ruby looked at the woman, confusion clouding her face. “Oh, I do apologize. Yes, that will be all.” She set the sack aside and moved to the tea service. “Mr. Jakeston, how do you take your tea?” she asked, snapping back into her role as hostess in Lady Haversham’s absence.

He crossed the room and sat on the sofa which Ellie had recently vacated. “Just a spot of cream, if you please.”

As she poured his cup, she asked Ellie the same question.

“I should be going—” Ellie started to protest.

“You shall do nothing of the sort. We have much still to discuss.” Ruby poured the second cup of tea and dropped two sugar cubes in before handing it to Ellie when she walked by, taking the seat next to Harold. “Now, where were we?”

Ruby quickly poured herself a spot of tea, adding neither cream nor sugar before sitting back, the sack lying forgotten at her side.

Harold knew he should have fled when he’d had the chance, leaving the pair to their discussion. Although, he reflected, his presence created a buffer both women seemed happy for, returning the conversation to more socially acceptable topics.

For a bit they discussed the weather and then moved on to the new trend of bright, bold fabrics as opposed to pastels and neutral tones.

Ellie tired of the idle chit chat long before Ruby or Harold did. “I do have many things to arrange. I really should be going.” She tried her hand at escape once again.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” Ruby asked.

“Ummm.” She refused to make eye contact with either Ruby or Harold. “Well…”

“Ellington, I am here to help you if you will only tell me what troubles you.”

The girl shot a furtive look at Harold.

“Mr. Jakeston is fully aware of the situation,” Ruby encouraged.

“You told him?” Anger returned quickly to Ellie’s tone. “What if he tells someone about Drake’s death?”

“Do you not think it is already the talk of the town?” Ruby questioned. “A marquis going to the hereafter, especially lacking a close heir… I assume the vultures are already circling both his townhouse and estates.”

“That is the problem.”

“What is the problem?” Harold asked without thinking.

The girl looked between Harold and Ruby, her anger gone but replaced with a sheepish expression. “No one knows of his passing.”

Both Harold and Ruby spoke at the same time. “What do you mean?” They looked at each other as their words echoed in the room.

“Well, I stayed with him through the night. When I left to dress and come here I instructed the servant—quite severely—that not one person was allowed to enter the marquis’ private chambers until I returned.”

“Are you senseless?” Ruby asked, standing so suddenly that her tea sloshed over the rim and on to her dress. “You should have called for a doctor immediately. Who is the family physician?”