Page 3 of His Unforgettable Bride
Ruby lowered her hood and knocked.
“Enter,” Mrs. Quinborow called. The woman disliked drama, particularly with her staff, but tonight she’d receive a handful, whether she wanted it or not.
Ruby opened the squeaky door, and they both stepped inside the cramped little room and were greeted by the scent of honey. Only a framed needlepoint of the Lord’s Prayer adorned the walls, and a small table held a silver tea service and the honey pot. Two empty, straight-backed chairs rounded out the furniture.
Even on a good day, the housekeeper’s lined face appeared strained. Now it had scrunched like a leftover winter apple. She’d piled her gray hair in a tight bun atop her head, and not a single wisp had escaped.
“Whyever are you two out of your room?” She rose behind her wooden desk, wearing her everyday blue uniform with white cuffs and collar. A thick collection of keys dangled from her generous waist.
Ruby lifted her chin. “I have something to say.” A wall hook held a lit lantern, the flame matching Ruby’s locks—a blend of red, yellow, and orange. Even though her roommate looked like an innocent angel, she wasn’t.
“I need to tell you something too,” Juliet said. “Something important.”
The housekeeper crossed her arms. “Can’t this wait until morning?”
“No, ma’am,” Juliet said simultaneously with Ruby.
“Then proceed, and don’t dawdle.”
Ruby glanced at Juliet before releasing a rapid-fire spew of words. “She dropped a fancy ring on the floor in our room. I wager it’s the missing jewel that belongs to the mistress.”
Juliet’s breath caught in her chest. “That’s a dad-blamed lie.”
Mrs. Quinborow’s brow wrinkled. “What’s this?”
“What Ruby described is what she did, ma’am. Afterward, she went outside. I followed and found her digging in the yard, but I didn’t stay to learn if she was collecting something or hiding the ring.”
“Juliet unburied a box, then I grabbed it to show you.” Ruby opened the front of her cape and withdrew the cigar box, which she set on the desk next to a stack of papers. Then she raised the lid to display a handful of stones. “Don’t know the reason for the rocks, but thinking Juliet planned to hide the ring inside here.” She tapped the container. “She probably snatched the mistress’s other jewels too.”
Juliet thumped a hand on her waist as anger shot through her. “Another lie. I followed you outside, and…you retrieved the box, not me. When I said I was leaving to tell Mrs. Quinborow, you charged after me, cooking up this…twisted version of what happened.”
Ruby burst into tears.
What? Not only was Ruby a good thief but also a top-notch actress.
The housekeeper withdrew a neatly folded white handkerchief from her desk drawer and passed the cloth to the weeping woman. “Do either of you have physical proof that the other stole the jewels?”
“Ruby has the ring on her person, I believe.”
Mrs. Quinborow’s expression grew more severe—if that were possible. “Remove your cape and empty your pockets, Miss O’Reilly. You do the same, Miss Dash.”
Juliet followed the instructions, and Ruby also heeded the order. Mrs. Quinborow thoroughly examined them from head to foot and found nothing suspicious.
Where had Ruby stashed the ring?
Juliet’s mind raced, trying to piece together a solution to her predicament. All she’d hoped to do was the right thing and protect the Firths. But nothing was going according to her plans.
“I’ve been employed here for ten months and have a clean record.” What else could she say to convince the housekeeper she’d done nothing wrong? “The stealing didn’t start until after Ruby arrived months back.”
“Maybe you was waiting to get comfortable.” Ruby sniffled. “Then you figured you could pin the blame on me since I’m newer.”
When Mrs. Quinborow pursed her thin lips, they nearly disappeared. “If clear-cut evidence existed, I’d immediately send for the constable. Instead, I only have a box of rocks and two differing tales.”
The housekeeper sighed deeply as if she’d stored the breath in her chest all day. “These insinuations now cast doubts on your characters. Therefore, pack your things, both of you. You’re fired, and I shall not give you letters of recommendation.”
Juliet huffed out a breath of exasperation. How was this happening? “But I’m innocent.”
“I can’t take the chance.” Mrs. Quinborow stepped around her and Ruby before opening the door. “I’ll escort you upstairs to gather your personal things. Naturally, I’ll report this incident to Mrs. Firth in the morning.”
