Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 529

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Frieda made a move to go downstairs again, but Hanley quickly caught her arm and pulled her into his arms, holding her in place.

“You... I can barely breathe!” Frieda protested with obvious frustration, trying to squirm free.

Hanley merely pressed her closer, his voice gentle as he spoke over her head. “You’re just under too much stress lately. You’re all wound up. Why don’t you take a break? I’ll go downstairs and talk to Aunt Linda and Uncle Charles for you, explain what you wanted to say.”

“Really?” Frieda’s resistance eased a little, doubt flickering in her eyes.

Hanley lowered his head, giving her a reassuring promise. “Of course. If it’s something you’re worried about, I wouldn’t dream of brushing it aside.”

He smiled warmly at Frieda, and only then did she finally relax.

Maybe it was the aftermath of all the shouting and the emotional rollercoaster she’d just been on, but now that things had calmed down, exhaustion washed over her. Thinking of Pearl, who was still downstairs, Frieda ran a hand through her hair in agitation but didn’t fight Hanley as he led her to the bedroom.

Downstairs, as Hanley and Frieda’s figures disappeared up the stairs, Ruby immediately reached for her bracelet, intent on removing it.

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. It’s just a bracelet,” Mrs. Steele said, her face creasing into a kindly smile, the sternness from earlier completely gone. She looked every bit the sweet old lady.

“I can’t accept it. It’s far too valuable. I only agreed to take it in the first place so I could return it to you before you left,” Ruby insisted, shaking her head as she tried to slip it off.

“Once it’s given, it’s yours to keep,” Mrs. Steele replied.

At that moment, Sylas took advantage of the commotion to sidle up next to Ruby, deliberately ignoring the irate glare from his own father on the other side.

Feeling the intense, almost predatory stare from his right, Sylas awkwardly scratched his nose and tried not to look.

Ruby shot him an annoyed glance. What trouble was he trying to stir up now?

“We’re all people with reputations. Once a gift is given, it’s bad form to ask for it back,” Sylas whispered to Ruby, pausing to wink at her. “Besides... isn’t this exactly why you came here?”

He trailed off, but their eyes met for a second and, in that brief exchange, they both understood what the other was thinking.

So, he’s figured out why I’m really here, Ruby thought, her heart skipping a beat. She barely even noticed the ticklish sensation of his breath near her ear.

Hanley came rushing back down the stairs, putting on a polite—almost obsequious—smile. “Frieda’s gone up to rest for a bit. Can I get anyone more tea? If you’d like, I can have the housekeeper bring out some snacks as well.”