Page 61 of A Secret Correspondence
“You had better be leaving soon. Though I thank you for bringing me first.” Ruth released her husband. He gave them a bow before slipping from the room.
“I will go sit with Armand,” Marguerite said weakly.
Samuel’s body flooded with discomfort. He reached for her arm, his fingers closing around her slender wrist as she turned away. The moment she glanced back at him, he dropped her, immediately aware of how inappropriate his behavior had been.
“Forgive me.” Samuel cleared his throat, conscious of Ruth watching him closely and Marguerite now looking at his…chin? Or perhaps his lips. She surely was not meeting his gaze. “I only wanted to tell you that you need not sit with him if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“He is correct,” Ruth added softly. “You should not do so if you believe it is too much.”
Marguerite shook her head, smiling softly. “Mr. Ridley and Mr. Rose are sacrificing their evening.” She glanced at Samuel’s eyes before her gaze dropped again. “Mr. Harding has already sacrificed much more. The least I can do is feign being unbothered by his overbearing attention and pretend not to suspect him.”
“If you are sure,” Ruth said.
“I am.”
Samuel stood beside Ruth and watched Marguerite walkaway, the deliberate manner of her words and her straight back making her seem stronger than ever.
“I do not envy her,” Ruth whispered.
“What is she to do if we cannot detain the man and he does not receive his diamonds?” Samuel scrubbed a hand over his face. “We are surely in need of more help.”
Ruth sighed. “I had a similar thought. The trouble with your situation is that you were alone. Tonight, Jacob and Oliver will be together. Two men will not be overpowered.”
“If he returns to her shop again.”
Ruth chewed on her lip. “How can we ensure he does?”
Samuel looked to the rows of seats, where Armand was gesturing to Marguerite as though he wanted her to sit with him. “We can make it plain that Marguerite will not be returning home right away. Perhaps she will tarry with you for some time.”
“I will think on it, but that is a good idea.”
Samuel let out a long breath and began to walk away. He needed to see to Miss Farrow before she felt abandoned.
“Sam?”
“Yes, Ruth?”
“You are a good friend. I appreciate you, and I am certain Marguerite does as well, even if she is having trouble saying so at present.”
So he had not been the only one to notice her strange behavior this evening. He smiled. “Thank you. I do not feel snubbed.”
“Of course not.” She rubbed her brown eyes. “Can any of us blame her for feeling the strain of the situation? I wish she would come stay with us at Boone.”
“As do I, but she is an adult who will manage her own choices.”
Ruth sighed. “I know you are glad I do not hold the puppetstrings to everyone’s lives, but it would make things much easier.”
Samuel laughed. “That is a terrifying thought.”
“You would have been married long ago,” she mused. Her eyes shot to Miss Farrow and her mouth snapped closed.
His eyebrows shot up. “Oh? To whom?”
“That is of no matter.” She gently shoved him away. “Be off with you. Miss Farrow is wondering why I am taking up so much of your time.”
“I am certain she is thinking no such thing,” he countered.
“Then you know nothing of women,” Ruth said, and promptly walked away.
