Emma's breath caught as the sound of footsteps neared the library door. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared whoever was outside would hear it.
Ruby's expression shifted instantly, his playful smirk vanishing as he took her hand and pulled her behind one of the tall bookshelves.
"Stay quiet," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
Emma pressed herself against the wooden shelves, willing herself to disappear.
The door creaked open, and Mrs. Whitmore's voice rang out, sharp as a blade.
"Master Ruby?"
Ruby stepped out from behind the shelves, his voice perfectly calm. "Yes?"
Emma's hands clenched into fists. She didn't dare move.
The housekeeper hesitated. "Your mother was looking for you. She asked that you return to your chambers."
There was a long pause before Ruby finally responded. "I was just finishing a book. You can tell her I'll retire soon."
Mrs. Whitmore didn't sound convinced. "Very well. But be mindful of the hour, sir."
The door shut, and Emma exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her chest.
"You can come out now," Ruby murmured.
Emma stepped forward, glaring at him. "That was reckless."
A slow grin spread across his face. "Admit it, Emma. You like the thrill of it."
"I like not getting caught," she shot back.
His expression softened, and he took a step closer. "Then why did you come?"
Emma opened her mouth, but no words came out. She didn't know why she was here. Or maybe she did, but she was too afraid to admit it.
Ruby reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I meant what I said earlier. I don't want Susan. I don't want the life my mother has planned for me." His fingers lingered against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. "I want you."
Emma's chest tightened. "Ruby… we can't."
He smiled sadly. "I know. But that won't stop me from wanting you."
She stepped back, shaking her head. "This is dangerous."
He sighed. "Everything worth having is."
Emma turned away. "I should go."
"Emma, wait."
She paused, but she didn't look at him.
"I'm not giving up," he said softly.
She closed her eyes. "You should."
And with that, she slipped out of the library, leaving Ruby alone in the dark.
---
A Cold Reality
The next morning, Emma did her best to bury her emotions under the weight of her work. She scrubbed harder, polished longer, and kept her head down.
But it wasn't enough to keep the whispers at bay.
"She was with him last night."
"I heard Mrs. Whitmore caught them."
"She's playing a dangerous game."
Emma gritted her teeth as she hurried past the other maids, ignoring their hushed conversations. They didn't know what really happened. They didn't know that she was trying her hardest to resist him.
But rumors had a way of twisting the truth.
As she rounded the corner near the grand staircase, she nearly collided with Margaret.
"Emma," her friend hissed, gripping her arm and pulling her into the linen closet.
Emma yanked her arm free. "What are you doing?"
Margaret's eyes darted around before she whispered, "Mrs. Harrington knows."
A chill ran down Emma's spine. "Knows what?"
Margaret exhaled sharply. "That Ruby has feelings for you. And she's furious."
Emma's stomach twisted.
"She's already planning something," Margaret continued. "I don't know what, but you need to be careful."
Emma swallowed hard. "I didn't do anything wrong."
"That doesn't matter," Margaret whispered. "You're in her way."
Emma's hands trembled. She wanted to believe she was safe, that the worst Mrs. Harrington could do was fire her.
But deep down, she feared it was much worse than that.
---
A Warning from the Mistress
Later that afternoon, as Emma was folding linens in the servants' quarters, a voice called out from the doorway.
"Emma."
She turned quickly, her breath catching as she saw Mrs. Harrington standing there, her expression cold and unreadable.
"Come with me."
Emma hesitated, but refusing wasn't an option. She set down the linens and followed the mistress of the house through the grand halls, her pulse racing with each step.
Mrs. Harrington led her to a small sitting room and closed the door behind them. The silence was suffocating.
"Do you know why you're here?" Mrs. Harrington finally asked, her voice calm but laced with an underlying threat.
Emma clasped her hands together. "No, ma'am."
Mrs. Harrington stepped closer. "I have been very patient with you, Emma. I allowed you into my home, gave you work, and yet…" She tilted her head. "You seem determined to forget your place."
Emma's heart pounded. "I would never—"
Mrs. Harrington held up a hand. "I am not a fool, girl. I see the way my son looks at you. And more importantly, I see the way you look at him."
Emma's breath caught.
Mrs. Harrington's lips curled in disdain. "You think you can trap him? That he will throw away his future for a maid?"
Emma shook her head quickly. "No, ma'am, I swear—"
Mrs. Harrington took another step forward. "Let me make one thing clear, Emma. You will stay away from Ruby." Her voice was like ice. "Or you will regret it."
A cold shiver ran through Emma's body.
Mrs. Harrington turned toward the door. "Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. You are nothing but a passing distraction, and I will not allow you to ruin my son's future."
Emma's throat tightened, but she nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good." Mrs. Harrington opened the door. "You may go."
Emma forced herself to walk out of the room, keeping her head high. But as soon as she was out of sight, she leaned against the wall, her breath coming in shaky gasps.
She knew this was only the beginning.
And she was terrified of what would come next.
---
An Ultimatum
That night, Emma lay awake in her small bed, staring at the ceiling.
Mrs. Harrington's warning echoed in her mind, but so did Ruby's words.
"You're the only one I want."
She knew what she had to do. She had to push him away, to make him stop looking at her like she was something precious.
She had to break his heart before his mother broke her.
The next morning, she found Ruby in the garden, pacing restlessly.
"Emma," he said, relief flooding his face as he saw her. "I was worried—"
She cut him off, her voice cold. "It has to stop."
Ruby blinked. "What?"
"This." She gestured between them. "Whatever you think this is—it's not real."
His jaw tightened. "Don't do this."
Emma forced herself to meet his gaze. "I don't love you, Ruby."
The words nearly killed her to say.
He flinched as if she had struck him. "You're lying."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "No, I'm not. You were right about one thing—I'm different from the other maids. I see you for what you are. A spoiled rich boy who doesn't know what he wants."
His eyes darkened. "You don't mean that."
Emma took a deep breath. "Yes, I do. Stay away from me, Ruby."
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, shattered.
She told herself it was for the best.
But why did it feel like she had just broken her own heart?