Winterberry Spark: A Silver Foxes of Westminster Novella (The Silver Foxes of Westminster #2.5)(8)



“But ma’am, Ruby is a good, quiet woman,” Ada argued. “She hasn’t caused any harm at all since coming here, unlike some people.” She darted a look to the Mull sisters.

“It’s her fault Master James was carried off by that Goode woman,” Martha said, indignant.

Ruby lowered her head, no will to protest her innocence. Martha was right, just as Gil was. The kidnapping was her fault. Trusting Miss Goode was the biggest mistake of her life. But for one moment, for one glorious moment, she’d had a friend. Or at least, it had felt like she’d had a friend. That starved place inside of her was a mass of guilt and misery now. So much so that she couldn’t bring herself to fight against being sacked. She’d known this day was coming. In truth, she was surprised it had taken so long to arrive.

“Frankly, I am shocked that Mr. Croydon didn’t show you the door after the horrific business in October,” Mrs. Musgrave voiced what Ruby was thinking.

“She was instrumental in rescuing Master James, ma’am,” Ada stood up for her. “Without Ruby’s help, they wouldn’t have known what became of—”

“Miss Bell, if you say so much as a single word more, I will have you sacked as well for gross impertinence,” Mrs. Musgrave shouted.

Ada jerked straight, facing forward, her face red and her eyes glassy with tears. Ruby was close to weeping herself, which left her and Ada as watery messes on either side of the gloating, smirking Mull sisters.

Mrs. Musgrave let out a breath, closing her eyes and pressing a hand to her forehead. “Unfortunately, in this unique case, because you are here by the expressed wishes of Mrs. Croydon, I cannot sack you outright,” she said, then opened her eyes. “But I must inform you that I will be speaking with Mrs. Croydon at her most immediate convenience to stress the importance of dismissing you with all due haste. I expect that you will be asked to leave Winterberry Park before sundown.”

Ruby sucked in a horrified breath. Before sundown. Would that give her time to see Gil again? Would she have a chance to beg for his forgiveness one last time?

“Now,” Mrs. Musgrave continued, her shoulders relaxing. “All of you, return to your work. You,” she glared at Ruby, “would do well to pack your belongings now.” She paused, then said, “Dismissed,” and turned away.

Ruby was closest to the door and reached it first, throwing it open and dashing into the hall. She found Annie and retrieved Faith, hugging her close as she ran for the servants’ stairs.

“I’m sorry, Ruby,” Ada tried to tell her as she rushed past.

Ruby could barely acknowledge her. She tore up the stairs, willing herself not to cry until she reached the nursery. Then she burst into bitter tears as she sank into a rocking chair in the corner. She’d been luckier than she ever could have dreamed of to be taken in by the Croydons, but it seemed that luck was up. And without help, without friends, her life would inevitably slip back to where it had been before Gil had found her.





Chapter 3





Gil was glad that Mr. Croydon had finally made the decision to hire a separate valet so that he could concentrate on business. It wasn’t that he didn’t like helping Alex dress in the morning, not that he required much help, or that he found mending seams and polishing shoes burdensome. But business was more exciting, it was what he had been educated to do, and there was more room for advancement in that portion of his job. All the same, he pored over Alex’s wardrobe with care and a discriminating eye when it came to deciding which articles of clothing were still serviceable and which could be given to Winterberry Park’s servants or donated.

It was a relief when Mrs. Croydon and James returned from their cold walk, and the family gathered in the library to spend their afternoon together. It meant he could leave the wardrobe and his own, disturbing thoughts and move to the library, company, and distraction. He’d played over his encounter with Ruby too many times during his lonely work, questioning if he was right to keep her at arm’s length or whether she deserved a second chance. If only there were an easy answer to that question. At the rate he was going, he would never find peace again.

“Here’s the inventory list, sir,” he said, sending James a wink as he crossed the library to where Alex stood, perusing one of the shelves as though looking for a book to read.

“Ah, thank you, Phillips.” Alex turned from the shelf as Gil handed him the list.

“Mr. Phillips, we saw swans,” James announced, jumping off the couch where Mrs. Croydon was reading a story to him. He came to a stop in front of Gil. “They looked cold.”

“I’m sure they were a little cold, Master James,” Gil said with a smile. “Swans always forget to wear their mufflers when they go out.”

James laughed. Gil checked with Mrs. Croydon to make sure she wasn’t put out by the informal interaction. She was all smiles, which put Gil at ease. He liked Mrs. Croydon. She was the best thing that had happened to Alex since he’d started working for the man years ago. And the way she had championed Ruby….

Gil straightened, clearing his throat and losing his smile. No matter what he did, thoughts of Ruby followed him. And with those thoughts came mountains of emotions that left him tangled and confused. His heart insisted she deserved his sympathy. More than just that. Her life had been impossibly hard, and she couldn’t be held responsible for most of what had happened to her. But his head argued that she’d been given the chance of a lifetime and had wasted it. She’d caused so much harm to the Croydon family in the autumn in spite of the opportunities they’d given her, and that couldn’t be forgiven. And other parts of him…. Well, other parts wanted what any red-blooded male wanted.

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