Then to wake in the middle of the night and realize she had rescued him had sealed his interest. He hadn’t been intrigued by a woman in a long while, but he definitely wanted to spend more time with her. Had he encountered his own de Wolfe angel as Marcus and Sir William de Wolfe, their ancestor, had? He realized he wasn’t above hoping that was the case.
Though he didn’t know her surname, he’d had the presence of mind to note her address. While tempted to call on her, he wondered if she’d welcome a visit. At the very least, he needed to find a way to repay her for all the effort she’d made to help him.
But how?
The small but tidy rooms where she’d lived suggested money was scarce, yet he didn’t think sending her money would be welcome. He had to find a more thoughtful and careful way to let her know of his gratitude.
Perhaps sending a gift of some sort wouldn’t offend her.
The one question he couldn’t get out of his mind was why? Why had she bothered to help a stranger? Her loyalty should’ve been with those in the clubroom, not him.
He set down the unread news sheet. He needed to focus on how to find out more about the lottery without placing himself or anyone else in danger. He still intended to discover who was behind the drawing so he could shut it down but needed to ensure better odds of success. He finished his breakfast, ignoring the slight dizziness he still felt.
He couldn’t stand to rest any longer. The time had come for action. He entered the foyer to find James waiting.
“I took the liberty of ordering the carriage.”
The carriage and horse he’d rented were far more convenient than searching for a hansom each time he needed a ride.
“Thank you. Let us be on our way then.” A few hours of hovering near him, and James would be ready to return home. Then again, so might Gideon.
The docks looked no different than the last time he’d been there a few days ago, but he felt different. Certainly warier. He went in search of Nash first, wondering if he’d heard news of the fight. If anyone had recognized him, word would have spread that he’d been at the losing end of it.
He found the stevedore supervising the loading of cargo, a job that required skill. Without the correct balance, the ship could sink. All items had to be loaded in the right order and stowed properly so they didn’t come loose in rough seas.
“I was wondering where you’d been,” Nash said as Gideon moved to stand beside him. Nash called out orders to the workers then turned to face Gideon, his gaze sweeping the bruises on his face. “What happened to you?”
Gideon touched his jaw but avoided his head. That caused far too much pain. “I thought you might have heard I was on the losing end of a fight.”
Nash’s eyes widened. “Who would be fool enough to take on a de Wolfe?”
“The men involved with the lottery.”
Nash shook his head. “That damned lottery. I knew no good would come of it.”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t find out very much when I attended the drawing. Except for the fact that they don’t like questions.”
Nash shifted to look behind Gideon at James, taking in his small frame. “Not much of a bodyguard is he?”
James huffed in offense.
Gideon smiled. “Between you and me, he’s as fierce as they come. He thinks someone has to look after me.”
“You’ll need more than him if you’re going to pursue your questions about the drawing,” Nash suggested. “From what little I’ve heard, a tough bunch is behind it.”
Gideon’s gaze swept over the workers, wondering if any had attended the drawing. Or if any had lost money while he’d been recovering. He hoped not, but the aggressiveness of the ticket sellers suggested otherwise.
“Samuel was looking for you earlier,” Nash advised him.
Gideon bid him goodbye then he and James walked to the offices nearby to speak with the manager. Samuel stared at his bruised face in surprise but refrained from commenting, much to Gideon’s relief.
Aware of the stares of the other workers, Gideon conducted business as usual, finally settling behind his desk to review correspondence.
“Here is the report you requested, Mr. de Wolfe,” Douglas Compton said as he handed him several papers.
“Thank you, Douglas.” Gideon reached for them, glancing up at the man who’d worked as a clerk for over a year. To his surprise, Douglas looked quite nervous. “Is something amiss?”
“No, sir. Nothing at all.” But Douglas’ gaze swept over the bruises on Gideon’s face.
Gideon set down the papers and leaned back in his chair. “Colorful, aren’t they?” No purpose would be served in pretending they weren’t there.
“Sir?” Douglas’ eyes went wide.
“Never mind.” He didn’t want to make the clerk any more uncomfortable than he already was. “Might I ask a favor?”
“Of course, Mr. de Wolfe.”
“Would you arrange for a large basket of food to be delivered here this afternoon? It’s a gift for someone, but I’d like to deliver it myself.”
“What sort of food?”
“Pick whatever you might enjoy.” He gave him a budget and suggested a few items as he seemed puzzled by Gideon’s request.
The rest of the day passed quickly with one item after another requiring his attention.
James watched their surroundings carefully, something Gideon had never felt the need to do during previous visits. That gave him one more reason to bring an end to the lottery.
By the time late afternoon arrived, along with the basket, his pounding head insisted he return home to rest, but first he wanted to deliver the gift.
He remembered the location of Ruby’s apartment easily and directed his driver to take James and him there. After bidding his valet to wait, Gideon carried the basket upstairs himself and knocked on the door, hoping Ruby would answer.
Ruby hurried home from work earlier than normal, anxious to see how her father fared. He’d had a bad night of coughing which frightened her. They’d already lost their mother, and she didn’t want to lose their father, too. Hopefully, the cough had eased and allowed him to rest.
She ran up the stairs, but the sound of voices coming from inside their rooms slowed her steps. With growing concern, she opened the door, shocked at the sight of Gideon visiting with her father. Each man held a small plate with a slice of bread topped by a slab of thick ham and cups sat on the nearby table.
Her father smiled as Gideon stood. “Ruby, your friend called and brought a gift.”
Ruby stared at Gideon, hoping he hadn’t told her father of the events of the other night. That would be disastrous. Her father already worried too much, and she feared that didn’t aid his ill health. But his smile suggested anything but worry.
“How…nice.” She couldn’t think of what else to say.
Gideon set his plate on the table then bowed. “Your father was kind enough to allow me to wait for you so I might thank you in person.”
She nodded though still thoroughly confused. What could he have possibly told her father that would not only gain his entrance into the apartment but give her father such happiness?
“I wasn’t expecting you.” She gave him a pointed look, hoping he understood his presence wasn’t welcome.
He smiled as if they shared a secret, and flutters erupted in her stomach. Oh dear. How could one smile create such a sensation?
“I explained to your father that I wanted to repay your kindness toward me the other day.” When she only continued to stare, he added, “When you took the time to give me detailed directions.”
“I told him you often go out of your way to help others,” her father said. “Just like your mother. God rest her soul.” The color in her father’s cheeks and his broad grin were a welcome sight.
Ruby attempted a smile, unable to believe her father had swallowed Gideon’s lame explanation. “I do try to help people when I can.”
“Your father and I were enjoying some of the food.
Will you join us?” He gestured toward a large basket sitting on the table in the kitchen area that overflowed with an appealing display. Loaves of bread, another ham, tins of biscuits and candy. She hadn’t seen that much food in a long time except when passing by a grocer’s shop.
She turned back to Gideon, overwhelmed by his generosity. Only then did she notice the colorful bruises and wanted to ask how his head was. “Thank you.”
“It was the least I could do.” He stepped forward to cut a slice of the bread along with a slice of ham and placed them on a linen cloth from the basket then handed it to her. “Please, join us.”
Without waiting for her answer, he gestured to the sofa where her father was. She sat, food in hand, still feeling unbalanced, as if she’d entered the wrong home.
Her father, who rarely showed an appetite of late, took the last bite of his ham then sighed with satisfaction. “That was delightful.”
“I’m pleased you’re enjoying it,” Gideon said. “You were telling me of your days as a tutor.”
Her father reached for the cup that sat near his elbow and took a sip. “I started tutoring before Ruby was born, when her mother and I first married. I was lucky to find employment and followed the family to London.”
“I remember my tutor fondly,” Gideon said. “He had his hands full with my cousins and a friend of ours.” A dark shadow passed over his expression making Ruby wonder at the cause. “Good tutors are difficult to come by.”
“I fear I haven’t worked much of late.” Her father patted his chest. “This terrible cough, you know.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Gideon frowned, his sympathy evident. “What are your favorite subjects to teach?”
Ruby bit into the delicious bread and ham as she listened to the men converse. Her father hadn’t told stories of the past in a long time. She enjoyed listening to them, but even more, she loved her father’s animation. Her heart softened toward Gideon as he drew out her father, encouraging him to share a few things even she hadn’t heard before.
Then Gideon’s golden eyes turned to her and held her pinned. “Your father tells me you’re a bookkeeper.”
“Yes,” she said. “At Moorfield’s Printing Shop.”
“Do you enjoy it?” he asked.
“I like working with numbers.” She didn’t want to tell him or her father that she felt as if she had to prove her worth each and every day. But the position paid the bills for now—at least some of them. She hoped to gain a good reference and find a better paying situation after a year or two, despite the fact that she was a woman.
“My sister has an affinity for numbers. She outperformed me in mathematics all the time.”
Gideon de Wolfe was a puzzle. It was as if he purposely removed the barriers between their worlds. Despite his remark, Ruby knew they had nothing in common. This moment was enjoyable but it was nothing more than that. A moment in time. She’d be better off forgetting it.
A glance out the window showed daylight fading. Douglas would soon be home. He remained adamant that Gideon never learn of their connection, but she worried her father had already mentioned it. Nothing could be done if he had.
She brushed the crumbs from her lap and looked at Gideon. “We can’t thank you enough for the basket. It was so generous of you.”
His eyes held her gaze for a long moment, and she could see the questions swirling in their depths. She looked away, refusing to try to interpret them. Besides, she had one of her own—why had he bothered to bring the basket himself?
Her father yawned and quickly covered his mouth. “My apologies.”
“No need,” Gideon said as he rose. “I’ve overstayed my welcome. I must be going. Thank you again for everything.”
Her father expressed his gratitude and bid Gideon goodbye. Then Ruby walked him to the door.
He stepped through the doorway, much to her relief, only to turn back to face her. “I can’t thank you enough.” His gaze met hers and the intensity in them gave her pause. “I suspect I owe you far more than I know.”
Ruby glanced over her shoulder to make sure her father couldn’t hear them. “I did what anyone would’ve done.”
Gideon opened his mouth to reply only to hesitate at the sound of her father coughing again.
“I must go.” The reasons she needed to shut the door had little to do with her father’s health and everything to do with her sanity.
Gideon nodded and turned away to descend the steps.
Ruby watched for only a moment before closing the door, telling herself she hoped that was the last they saw of him. If only her heart agreed.
Chapter Four
Ruby finished work at the usual hour and left the printing shop to begin the walk home. The callus on her finger ached from writing much of the day and ink stained her fingers, but luckily her gloves hid the unsightly marks. She hadn’t worried over little flaws before meeting Gideon. His visit the previous day had upset her world once again.
“Miss?”
She looked over to see a footman standing beside a carriage, looking directly at her.
“Yes?”
He gestured toward the carriage, and she shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Did he think she’d pay him to take her home? If she had to pay a fare every time she went to and from work, they’d have no money for rent.
Then the door opened, and Gideon leaned forward. “I hoped to have a moment of your time.”
Joy sparked inside her despite the fact that she’d spent much of the day convincing herself she was pleased she wouldn’t see him again. Obviously, she’d failed.
Ruby glanced about the street to see if anyone watched. Stepping into a man’s carriage without a chaperone would be frowned upon, but no one paid any notice. Still, she hesitated. Choosing to spend time with him rather than having his presence thrust upon her felt like a significant step—one she might later regret. He already occupied too many of her thoughts.
“Please join me,” Gideon said.
She couldn’t find the internal fortitude required to refuse. With the footman’s assistance, she stepped into the carriage and perched on the tufted velvet seat, hoping no ink had gotten on her clothes to stain the plush fabric. “Is something amiss?”
“I wanted a chance to speak with you privately and thought to offer you a ride home.”
“How kind of you,” she managed, only to silently berate herself. Couldn’t she think of something more intelligent to say when near him? With a glance at her attire, she eased back against the comfortable seat and studied him, wondering why he wanted to speak with her. The bruises were already beginning to fade, and his eyes looked clearer today. “How are you faring?”
“Better, though my head still occasionally aches.”
“I hope that soon passes.” She glanced away, searching for something to say. “The food basket was thoughtful of you.” Douglas had been flabbergasted at the sight of it on their table, telling her he’d been the one to order it. Whether Gideon knew of the connection, she wasn’t sure. She and Douglas hadn’t questioned whether their father had mentioned it for fear of having to explain the whole situation. “I appreciate you not telling Father the truth. Worry doesn’t aid his condition.”
“Has he been ill long?” Gideon asked as the carriage started forward.
“For several months.” She didn’t see any purpose in sharing details, though the worry that they’d lose him was never far away. Especially each time he had one of his terrible coughing fits.
“I would like my personal physician to see him.”
Though touched by Gideon’s offer, she couldn’t possibly accept. “I don’t think—”
“Please. It’s the least I can do after you rescued me. If you’d prefer something else, I’d be happy to do that instead.”
The temptation to agree was more than Ruby could bear. She swallowed the pride that made her hesitate. “That’s far too generous of you, but perhaps seeing a different doctor would be wise.”
“Excellent.” Gideon smiled, seeming pleased by her agreement. “I’ll have him stop by on the morrow if that is acceptable.”
“Thank you.” Gideon’s thoughtfulness had her blinking back tears. Douglas might not like charity, but he’d have to get over it. Anything they could do to help their father was welcome.
“Your father’s quite proud of you, you know.”
“He taught my brother and me all he knew every chance he could. Life for my mother and him was difficult when they first married. They eloped because my grandfather didn’t approve of him. Or rather what he considered Father’s lack of prospects.”
“How unfortunate. Do you know your grandfather?”
Ruby shook her head. “We sent him a letter when mother passed away, but he didn’t respond.”
“Wouldn’t he have been better off helping your mother and father rather than disowning them?”
She turned to him in surprise. “I’ve often thought that as well. But some people prefer to cut off their noses to spite their faces.”
“That’s something I’ve never understood. Your father mentioned your brother, Douglas. I didn’t realize he worked for my family’s company.”
Dismay swept over Ruby. Her breath caught as she waited to see what more he said.
“Would you rather I didn’t know that?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“Douglas was concerned you might blame him for some part of the fight.” She searched his expression for a hint of his reaction.
“Was he involved?”
“No. In fact, he helped take you to our house.”
“I don’t remember much beyond the first few punches. It’s all a bit of a blur after that. I thanked Douglas today at the office though my gratitude seemed to make him uncomfortable.”
She shared a smile with him. “You would’ve enjoyed his surprise when he came home last evening and saw the basket that he ordered sitting on our table.”
Ruby's Gamble~De Wolfe Pack Connected World Page 4
