“That is most unfortunate. It was such a pretty box, too. You can be clumsy sometimes, Ruth.” The anger in her sister’s voice was undeniable.
“I am sorry, Sophia. I did not mean to break it.”
Sophia shrugged. “There is no need to apologize. It is not my box. My box is at home at Twilightfare. I never move it out of my chamber for this very reason. I’d be so devastated if it broke. I can only imagine how you feel.”
Her words sound as though she means to comfort me, to feel what I feel. And yet, her tone tells a different story. She is upset, but why?
She was not the only one who noticed the strange behavior. Lord Rotham looked up and the two locked eyes. Unlike her sister’s, his were full of sympathy.
“Perhaps it can be mended. Where did you drop it?” He asked.
“Over yonder, by the table.” She turned her head but to her surprise, found the floor empty.
“They’re gone. The shards. They were right there. You can still see the droplets of blood.”
He frowned. “Perhaps the maid already cleared them?” He turned to Sophia. “Could you fetch Charlotte, Lady Sophia? Perhaps we can track down the pieces. If it is not too badly broken, I might be able to mend it myself.”
“You?” Ruth couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice.
He smiled. “I am quite handy. Lord Caster, Lord Bronwyn’s father, is a keen woodworker and potter. He has a workshop full of tools. Lord Bronwyn and I at times observe and work alongside him. Once we get the shards back, we could all travel to Caster Hall together and see what we could with it.” Ruth was grateful that he seemed to include Sophia in the invitation, but her sister was not pleased at all. She stood with her arms crossed and shook her head.
“Her Grace indicated the three of us were to ride out this afternoon, Lord Rotham. She said you wanted to show me your favorite riding path in the woods.”
Ruth swallowed and wasn’t quite sure which way to look. Sophia no longer attempted to hide the displeasure from her voice.
“Had we made such an arrangement? I must confess, if we did, it slipped my mind.”
“We did. In the music room, last night. Your mother brought up the subject as Ruth was playing the harp.”
Lord Rotham swallowed. “I must not have heard her suggest it. I get quite absorbed in a beautiful melody. I apologize, Lady Sophia. Perhaps we can ride out another day.”
“No, please. Do not change plans on my account,” Ruth quickly said to avoid any disagreement between the parties. “If Her Grace has arranged for a ride, then, by all means, go. The patch box can wait. It…” her voice broke at the mention of her mother’s precious patch box and she cursed herself for dropping it. How had this happened? She had no idea. She’d handled the box so many times, and yet today, it slipped out of her hands as if a mere toddler was handling it.
She had so few items that belonged to her mother, so to lose even one was devastating.
“Please, by all means. Attend to the patch box. It means a lot to my sister. Her Grace and I will surely enjoy our time, even if we will be missing your company. I will look for Charlotte to see if she can retrieve the shards.”
Sophia departed, leaving them alone. After an uncomfortable silence, he cleared his throat.
“I did not mean to upset your sister. It is only that I do not recall any such arrangement.”
She pulled her hand away from him and examined the palm of her hand. There was a cut, but the bleeding had stopped, thanks to his prompt attention.
“I do not believe I need a physician, Lord Rotham. As for this afternoon, please do not go against your mother’s wishes on my account. The patch box can be repaired anytime, if at all.”
“I would much rather you are attended to by a physician. It would be a shame if you developed an infection and were not able to play your beautiful music. As for the ride…I know I ought not to say this so bluntly, but I must. I’d much rather spend the afternoon with you than on a horse, riding out with my mother.”
“Lord Rotham…”
“And I wish you’d call me Kenneth, at least when we are alone.”
Ruth’s mouth dropped open. She did not know what to say. No man had ever asked her to call him by his Christian name. It was unheard of. Ruth’s heart beat out of her chest.
“I… Kenneth…” His name rolled off her tongue so smoothly as if she was always meant to say it. She was about to say it again when Sophia reappeared, an icy glare fixed on Ruth.
“I am sorry, Charlotte did not collect the shards. She did not even know about the incident until I told her. It appears the shards are gone. Perhaps Papa will allow you to select another item from his study. You know he keeps some of her precious belongings locked away.”
Disappointment washed over Ruth. Even if the patch box was broken beyond repair, she’d planned to at least keep the pieces. Her mother once held the box dear, and she wanted to as well, even if broken. With a sigh, she turned to Kenneth.