The Davenports(58)

She resisted the urge to reach for it now, focusing on the music of the band and the feel of John’s arm around her waist. “I rarely see you out and about,” she said. “What’s been keeping John Davenport so occupied?”

His face brightened. “I’ve been working on a project for the company. My father’s agreed to hear plans for expanding the business to our own horseless carriage line. It’s been challenging, but it’s also the closest we’ve ever come to him even considering it.”

“We?”

“Helen and I are working on it together.” John grinned, and whatever had clouded his mood cleared. He launched into the finer details of his work. In that moment, she saw a glimpse of the young boy she had known. Tall and gangly, not deterred by the constant company of his sisters and their friends. Even when he grew up and ventured out on his own, he always made time for his family. She practically grew up alongside them. He always made her feel seen. And he was so handsome! She wished his attention now wasn’t attached to the pressure she felt from their parents, that they could return to the days when riding across the grounds of Freeport and sneaking treats from the kitchens were all that mattered.

So why didn’t she feel happier dancing with him now?

“Ruby?” John looked down at her. They were surrounded by other couples, swaying to the slow strings strummed by the band. “If you’re tired, we can sit.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine,” she said. Not too long ago she had savored moments like this. Moments with John. It had been enough to set her heart racing.

But now?

Now she remained lost in her thoughts. Her attention sliding to the entrance. Looking for one face in particular, as John talked about his plans with Helen and the courses he planned to take next term if the proposal they were working on wasn’t accepted by their father. Ruby nodded and made sounds to encourage him.

Just when she thought he’d skipped the party altogether, Harrison Barton stepped into the room. The dancers slowed and the music faded away. Everything around Mr. Barton lost focus, bringing him into sharp clarity. Ruby sighed in relief.

The song ended and before she could realize what she was doing, Ruby said, “Excuse me.” She dipped out of John’s arms before he could reply. She created a path to where she last saw Mr. Barton, around tables of her parents’ friends and businessmen she knew only by their pictures in the paper. A hand around her arm stopped her in her tracks.

“You magnificent girl.”

Ruby watched her mother flip a curl from her face.

“Your father and I should not have underestimated you,” she said. Mrs. Tremaine tapped her nose, like she was harboring a secret. “You and John make such a lovely couple.”

“I told you I had a plan,” Ruby said. She tried to pull her arm away. She’d lost Harrison in the crowd and didn’t want to have this conversation here.

Mrs. Tremaine placed a finger on the stone of the necklace around her neck. “Well, whatever you’re doing with Harrison Barton, it’s working. John seems absolutely smitten.”

Ruby rolled her eyes and finally pried her arm free. “I don’t know why you doubted me.” She tried to cut around her mother. But Mrs. Tremaine gently took Ruby’s elbow. She brushed her daughter’s cheek and Ruby softened. This was what she wanted. For the first time in weeks, the strained pinch in her mother’s face was gone. Ruby held her mother’s hand still pressed against her face. She drank in the change in her mother’s features before gently ending the rare show of affection.

“I’m so proud of you,” said Mrs. Tremaine.

The words rooted Ruby to the floor. More than Mr. Barton’s sudden arrival.

A movement in the corner of her eye made her stomach drop.

“Good evening, Mrs. Tremaine,” said Mr. Barton.

“Mr. Barton.” Mrs. Tremaine gave Ruby one last glance before stepping out of the alcove.

He stood a foot away, his brow furrowed. He hesitated. “Miss Tremaine, can we talk?”

Ruby managed to nod. She replayed the last few moments of conversation with her mother, her thoughts spinning, trying to gauge how much he had heard. More than enough, she expected.

He let her lead and walked close beside her, the fabric of his new tuxedo grazing her arm. She peeked at his face. He looked calm, but she saw the tightness around his eyes. The music and chatter faded as they entered the cavernous foyer. So late into the night, the guests had gathered in the ballroom or gardens while the household staff moved on to other tasks. They were alone.

Ruby licked her lips. Her mouth felt dry. The words she had rehearsed a dozen times sounded insufficient in her mind. This has been fun, but things were never going to work between us . . . my hand and heart belong to someone else. Ugh. She could not say those things to him now. Not after the feelings he’d shared about his family and his life, the secrets she told him and not Olivia. Not after their kiss had exposed how desperately she wanted to know she was enough, just as she was. It had awakened a confidence in her that made her feel light, like anything could happen. The happiness she felt when Harrison Barton was near filled her to bursting, and the feel of his hands in hers made her blood sing. The night she returned home with her necklace she was humming!

He buried his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. He looked no more eager to have this conversation than she was. “What’s going on here, Ruby?” He pulled his shoulders in as if preparing for a blow. “What was that in there?” He shook his head. “Please, the truth.”