A Very Ruby Christmas

by Lavinia Kent

  She could see Jasmine thinking about this, probably considering people she had known. “I suppose that makes sense,” the girl said at last. “I have just always heard the woman blamed.”

  A slight harsh laugh. “Can you imagine the man who would admit that his precious family jewels did not work as they should?”

  Jasmine admitted she could not.

  “And that is why there are some such men who would welcome you as a wife. Although you would have to create a story explaining how you had met previously and why the marriage had been delayed—and they would want to marry you before the child is born so that they could claim it.”

  “I will need time to think about it.”

  “Time is the one thing you do not have.” Ruby did not mean to sound harsh, but surely the girl must understand the truth of her circumstances.

  “Still, I need a little.” Jasmine straightened her shoulders again, unwilling to be cowed.

  “As long as you understand. I will consider who would be your best option should you decide on that course. There are not many choices, although the two I have already thought of might serve you perfectly.”

  Jasmine rose from her chair and strolled to the fireplace, picking up a small porcelain shepherdess. “And would they expect…that is, would they require…I don’t know how to ask—”

  “I think I understand. One of them would certainly not require you to share his bed in any sense of the word. In fact, I am quite sure that he would be horrified by the thought. The only time it might be an issue is if your child is a girl. I admit I do not know what would happen then. And in the other case, I don’t quite know. He would probably not require you to be intimate with him, although I am sure he would indulge his needs elsewhere if you were not. And again I do not know what would happen if you deliver a female child. He might very well wish you to take a lover to ensure a male heir. It cannot be possible to know all the answers. And I freely admit that what men say and how they act can be two very different things.”

  Jasmine placed the shepherdess back. It clattered rather too hard as it came to rest against the wood of the mantel. “I think, then, that I am best not marrying. I do not wish to trade one problem for another.”

  Ruby cursed silently. Perhaps she should not have been so honest. “Think it over further. And I will think about other solutions. My fiancé is American and can perhaps help you settle there as a young widow.”

  “I suppose it may come to that.”

  “You mentioned having some funds available. Do you have enough to start a new life? I do not mean to be crass in asking, but I need to know all possibilities.”

  Again a flush rose up Jasmine’s cheeks. “I don’t know. That sounds so stupid, but it is one of the things that has most troubled me. I have no idea how much money I need. I have saved some of my pin money; it does not seem like much, but I know that it is more than we pay the parlor maids for a year of labor. I sometimes looked over the books for my mother. But the maids lived in my father’s house and ate the food he provided, so I don’t know if it is actually enough to live on, and even if it is, it would be for only a year or two.”

  “No, I rather expect that is not enough to keep you, and I cannot see you living in the same style as one of your maids.”

  “I also have some jewels, both those I have received as gifts and some I was given when my grandmother died. I have no idea what they are worth.”

  “Did you bring them with you? I know it seems a silly question, but if you left in a hurry—”

  “I did take the time to fill my reticule and my pockets with what I could gather.” Her eyes moved to where her cloak hung on a peg. “I knew Scarlett would not give them to me later if I asked—even if they are mine.”

  That was probably true. Ruby knew she had taken the time to gather everything she might possibly want in the future before she left her mother’s house. “I can have a jeweler come and take a look at them and tell you if they are enough. I have a good eye for such things but am far from an expert—and you must be prepared that if you sell them it will likely be for far less than they are actually worth.”

  The girl’s shoulders slumped. “Please do have the jeweler in. I will make better plans if I know of my situation.”

  Ruby stood. “May I show you the bathing chamber? Sometimes a hot bath or even a shower bath can do much to clear the thoughts.”

  —

  “What does she have to say today? Anything new?” Derek asked as he watched Ruby stroll into the library. It had been two days since his arrival, and Ruby had spent several hours each day with her sister. The library was deserted at this hour of the morning, and he enjoyed the quiet of being surrounded by the high shelves. Despite his years at sea, he considered himself an educated man, and there were few things that brought him as great a pleasure as a good volume. Granted, the woman walking toward him was one of those things. His gaze focused on the wonderful sway of her hips.

  “Not as much as I would like, but there is hope. Perhaps I can persuade her to marry. Lord Wilber is in need of a wife, and I have never known him to be anything but kind.”

  “Lord Wilber?” Who was Lord Wilber? And then his mind cleared. He’d been around Madame Rouge’s enough to know far more than he should about some of her patrons. “Surely not a wife? I’ve seen him with—”

  “Exactly why he needs a wife. His father is in his nineties, and Lord Wilber would like to produce an heir before his death. I am sure we can make up some story about him having met Jasmine early in the summer, falling in love with her instantly, and then losing track of her until they were happily reunited.”

  “And even if that could be arranged, what do you think the duke would have to say about it?”

  “Oh, Scarlett would not be pleased, but I imagine he would support the story rather than cause more scandal. Hell, he might even believe it. Jasmine has refused to name the father, and it is always possible that they did in fact meet at some earlier point. Society is not that large.”

  “And the duke doesn’t know about Lord Wilber?”

  Ruby started to twirl the single red curl that fell over her shoulder. “He may or may not, but even if he does, there are many men of Wilber’s tendencies who do also manage to lie with women.”

  “And Wilber?”

  “I can, of course, only guess, but I would say not. I think he would have married before now if he could have managed it.”

  Derek could only shake his head. He could not imagine such a thing. “It does sound like a possible solution.”

  Ruby shrugged. “It does, but I do not think Jasmine will agree to it. And although it seems the most sensible option, I am not sure that I would agree to it if I were in her circumstance. I would not like putting my life in a man’s hands.”

  “And yet you are marrying me.”

  She smiled, her voice playful. “It is rather foolish of me and it does go against my personal beliefs, but somehow I cannot help myself.”

  He felt the grin stretch upon his face. “I am irresistible.”

  “I wish I had a fan so that I could swat away that leer.”

  His grin grew. “It is so good to be back.”

  “I must admit that though you’ve been here only two days, my life seems brighter.” She settled into a chair, dropping her slippers to the floor and tucking her feet up under her. “So tell me of your travels. You mentioned visiting your family.”

  “Yes, and we’ll be lucky if my mother doesn’t have a house built and furnished before I get you over there.”

  Her lips pursed and she ignored his gentle jab, moving the conversation onward. “And what did you tell them of me?”

  “I told them that you were the prettiest and most skilled whoremonger I’d ever met.”

  “Oh, shush. I will not even deign to answer that. Now, what did you tell them?”

  He sighed and settled into a chair across from her. “I told them of your grandfather and his business, of course. I could almost see my father
’s plans shifting before my eyes. I swear I entered the room and he was about to berate me for failing to marry Anne Williams and destroying his plans to build an empire, and before I’d finished speaking he was convinced it was his idea that I marry into the biggest textile-merchandising family in all of the British Empire.”

  “I hardly think—”

  “They were my father’s words, not mine. Apparently he met your grandfather once years ago when he still traveled, and he remembers him well. He didn’t say so, but I got the impression there may have been a few pub visits and lifting of tankards between them.”

  “Hmmm. I’m surprised that my grandfather never mentioned such a meeting, but that old devil always has plans of his own.”

  “And my mother and sister are both thrilled. They each want a part in planning the wedding.”

  He saw her swallow.

  “But we will be getting married here, will we not? I can’t sail to New England with you without being wed.”

  “Oh, don’t worry; I have no intention of delaying things a day more than necessary. I’ll call the parson for tomorrow if you wish.”

  “No need to hurry that quickly. But my grandmother will be having the banns read the moment she knows you have returned.”

  He allowed a broad smile to spread across his face. “I would expect nothing less. I do look forward to taking Miss Emma Scanton’s hand and making her mine.”

  Ruby’s face grew solemn. “It will be strange to be only Emma. I’ve gotten so used to being so many different people, depending upon whom I am with.”

  “I can only imagine, but I cannot wait for you to be my own sweet Emma—though I certainly will not object if Madame Rouge appears every now and again.”

  She gave him a knowing look. “I don’t think you will have to worry about that. Although Miss Emma is looking forward to her wedding night.”

  He rose from his chair and began to stalk toward her. Even with the activity level of these last days, his body was still letting him know that it had a long period of deprivation to make up for. He lowered his gaze to the mounds of her breasts, pressing up over the bodice of her dress. He would miss the way she dressed as Madame Rouge—not that he could imagine her ever dressing in a truly conservative manner. Even when she’d taken him to her grandparents’, Emma’s day dresses had been slightly more fitted than was common.

  “And are you thinking of practicing for the wedding?”

  He continued to smile, bending forward to place an arm on either side of her, leaning farther to—

  A tap at the door.

  “Fuck,” he mumbled softly, and stood back up.

  “Enter,” Ruby called.

  Simms slipped through the doorway. “I am sorry, but Lord Colton, Lord Swanston, and Lord Duldon are requesting a chance to speak with you.”

  “All of them?” Ruby said, rising from her chair.

  Simms nodded. “I’ve put them in the south parlor.”

  “Not the main one?”

  “Today is promising to be far busier than one would expect so early in the day.”

  Ruby raised a brow. “That is most unusual.” She turned back to Derek. “Do you wish to accompany me?”

  “Are you sure that would be proper?”

  Ruby laughed, deep and heavy. “When is anything that happens in this house proper? But, yes, it probably is. I cannot imagine that the three of them are here together to inquire about my services.”

  Knowing what he did about the men and their wives, that did seem unlikely. “I will walk out with you and we can see what it is all about.”

  Ruby strode from the room, hips swinging, and Derek followed, curious to see what would bring three lords calling on his lady.

  Chapter 7

  Ruby was afraid that she knew why the three lords were calling, and she did not look forward to explaining it to Derek. She should have been more honest with him earlier, should have tried to explain why she was so hesitant to take their help with Madame Rouge’s. He would see it as one more reason to believe she was merely delaying and would never understand her need to handle things on her own. Still, until she actually knew what the gentlemen were proposing, she would stay silent.

  Reaching the door to the main parlor, she paused for a moment, glancing inside. Simms was correct. Most unusual. There were several gentlemen already in the room, and it was not yet noon. She smiled politely and turned to leave but was stopped by Derek’s presence behind her.

  “What is the matter with him?” Derek questioned.

  Ruby looked over and saw his gaze squarely focused on Lord Thorton, who stood in a corner, drink in hand despite the early hour, staring at nothing, his lips pursed tight. “Beyond his desire to buy Madame Rouge’s, I am not sure what you mean,” she replied.

  “Aren’t you?” he answered.

  And the truth was she did know. She didn’t know how to define that knowledge, but there was no denying that there was something increasingly odd about the man. “I do confess I’ve sent somebody to check on him when he is with my girls. I don’t normally do that with a known patron, but he has begun to make my skin prickle.”

  “I am glad to hear that. Has he done anything?”

  “No; if anything, he has the most normal of tastes. He likes to fuck, plain and simple. He does have a temper, but it is never reflected in more than a harsh word—and a report back to me if something has particularly displeased him. He doesn’t like it if my girls question him in any way. But he is not physically hard to please, I am informed.”

  “He still troubles me—and it is not just because of his threats to slander you and this house a few months ago. I do not trust him.”

  Ruby felt her brow furrow. “I cannot imagine selling Madame Rouge’s to him, no matter what price he offers, but I admit that I try not to think too deeply of him beyond that. It leaves me with an unpleasant taste in my mouth.”

  “And yet you do not ban him from your establishment?”

  She resisted the urge to sigh. It seemed a simple enough question, but when was the world ever simple? “On what basis would I banish him? He pays his bill. He is no more disrespectful than many other patrons. He is not cruel to the girls. He tends not to be rude in public. And until this last year he always had a favorable reputation. If I banned him, I’d have to ban half a dozen or more patrons. The young and foolish do far worse than he.”

  “But, as you say, they are young and foolish. He is not. He knows exactly what he is doing.” Derek drew his shoulders back.

  “But what is he doing? I admit that he fills me with unease, but what is he actually doing?”

  “He did threaten you earlier in the summer.”

  “He was not the first, and once he understood my support he withdrew.”

  “And yet he still comes here. Surely there are other establishments he could visit.”

  She forced a laugh, trying to find a hint of humor in the situation. “Don’t you mean other whorehouses? Have I changed the way you speak so much?”

  Derek turned and looked down at her, his eyes softening. “You know you have changed me, but do not change the subject. The man is up to something.”

  Ruby closed her eyes for a moment, not wanting Derek to see how troubled she truly was. “I do not disagree, but there is not much I can do. I have him watched. The peepholes in his rooms see much use—and I can assure you there is no pleasure in the watching. I question the girls. I will refuse to sell the house to him, but I need to find a better solution before I make an issue of the matter.”

  Derek reached down and stroked her cheek. “I do understand. I just do not like having the man here. There is something off about him. I cannot say what exactly, but something is not right.”

  “He used to be one of my favorite patrons, always polite and sometimes kind, but something has changed this last year. I do not know what, but I agree things are not right.” She opened her eyes again and stared up at Derek, lost herself in his dark eyes, and then turned to gaze at Thorton.
He did have a strange obsession with the rules that she had never understood, but it was more than that. He seemed to think it was his personal duty to make sure that the world ran according to some plan that only he knew. She suppressed a shiver.

  “…and I don’t like you being around him. It is time that you come away with me. Time that you accept my ring and we put an end to this, that you give up your worries,” Derek said.

  She blinked. She had missed something. “You know I want that, but I cannot pack up and leave overnight.”

  “It is not overnight. It has been months.”

  And she knew that he had spent those months working at assuring that they could be together. Why could he not understand that she had worked just as hard, even if the answers had not come? “I do understand, but I cannot abandon Madame Rouge’s. Do you want me to sell to Thorton? And what of my sister? I cannot just forget about her.”

  “The sister who ignored your existence her entire life?”

  She met his gaze straight on. “That is not fair—and you know it. She didn’t know about me for most of her life, as I didn’t know about her for most of mine. And it’s not as if I made any effort to contact her before she showed up at my door.”

  “That is different—and you know that.” He sent almost her own words back to her. “And she showed up at your door only when she was desperately in need of help.”

  Blast him. She knew he understood more than that. It would have been as impossible for Jasmine to come to her as it had been for her to go to Jasmine. The world was not ready to recognize their kinship. “And that is my point. She is desperate. I cannot ignore that.”

  He shrugged but did not argue more. He did understand; he just didn’t like anything that kept her here longer.

  “I will work harder to find an answer,” she said. “I refuse to believe that there is not one. Perhaps I can try again to persuade Jasmine to name her child’s father. It should not be so difficult.”

  “But she has said that marriage is impossible.”

  “Perhaps she is wrong. Who would refuse to marry the Duke of Scarlett’s daughter? And I am sure Father would come around if marriage were an option. He has certainly kept quiet about her pregnancy. She’s been kept out of sight for months, first in the country and then in the house. I don’t think anybody in society is aware of what has become of her. If anything, I suspect that word has been spread that she returned to the country, perhaps recovering from illness or simply enjoying the holidays. Her mother and brothers may start to wonder where she is, but Scarlett might lie even to them. It will be a little longer before they start to push him for answers.”