Disclaimer: I do not own Red Riding Hood, or any of the associated characters.

Summary: See Previous Chapters

Chapter Four

Despite her initial wariness of moving too fast in a relationship - and despite what Adrien said, a single meeting in which they exchanged only a handful of words was not enough to base a courtship on - Ruby had decided to give Adrien Wolfe a chance. Her parents had given permission for him to call, but insisted that no announcement be made yet. Ruby was not displeased with this stricture, because she seemed to spend most of her time feeling confused as she attempted to determine his character.

Ruby was not averse to a bit of harmless flirtation with a man who hadn't known her since childhood, but she was sensible enough to not let it go beyond a certain point until she was certain that she wanted the relationship to become serious. The problem was that, despite Adrien being charming and a very practical match, well-connected to many of her parents' wealthier clients, Ruby became less certain of his suitability by the day.

For one thing, Adrien was closer to her father's age than her own, even if Ruby's parents had been young themselves when she was born. While he may not have been old, not quite reaching his age of majority when Ruby was born, the age difference was still no small thing. For another, the court only stayed for two or three weeks. As a courtier, Adrien had no reason to linger when the court left, and would have to ask and be granted permission to stay. If his presence within the court was as vital as he claimed, the King and Queen would not grant such a request, especially for such a short acquaintance.

Ruby had no intention of starting something that could have lasting implications to her reputation, only to be left alone to deal with any potential consequences. Even if those consequences were merely the scornful gossip as a result of being jilted, Ruby did not consider it worth the trouble. Her parents would protect and support her no matter what, Ruby knew, as would Grandmother Sophia and her aunts, but knowing that a worst-case scenario was unlikely was still no excuse for deliberate foolishness and misbehaviour that would affect more than just herself.

The awkward part was that Adrien didn't seem to be taking the multiple hints about moving slower that she had dropped, and Ruby hadn't exactly been subtle in pointing it out when he was at risk of going to far. He would apologise and retreat when she told him to, but seemed to forget her requests (or perhaps hoped that she would forget telling him to stop it) by the next sunrise.

It had seemed harmless, the first few times, and Ruby was enough of a scatter-brain herself that she could not hold forgetfulness against him, even in someone whose work required that they be organised. After a week and a half, however, she was starting to grit her teeth. Pasting a smile on her face after she smacked away a hand that was becoming a bit too familiar and he offered an apology that seemed to become less sincere with each repetition, Ruby counted backward from ten.

It was only a few more days before the King and Queen departed, taking Adrien and the court with them. For the sake of her family's business and good name, she could endure him that long. There was no need to stir up a fuss over something that would resolve itself soon enough.

For now, she merely forced a smile and changed the subject, playing the role of a silly girl that Adrien seemed to expect of her. "Did you ever court anyone before me?"

He relaxed, giving her a condescending smile. "Well, there have been some, before I came to court, but then my position as Royal Secretary took up all my time, and the court ladies are all the same."

Ruby hadn't been to court since she was a child, for the Christening of the Royal Twins, but she dimly remembered quite a bit of variety. Certainly the court ladies who accompanied the Royal Progress each year were not the same, unless you counted their almost slavish adherence to the latest fashion. Aunt Susan had once ordered several of the most garish, ill-matched gowns possible, just to see if fashion won over common sense, with hilarious results that had Aunt Catherine writing to her mother to complain about people with more money than taste. "How so?"

Adrien shrugged, a dark glint in his eyes, perhaps disappointment. "Petty, self-absorbed, fawning over whoever they think has the most power, never realising that favour is fleeting… it's nice to finally meet someone different."

Ruby wondered if he realised that he had just indirectly insulted the king and queen by calling them fickle, but let it go. "I'm nothing so out of the ordinary. You've just forgotten what village girls are like."

Adrien caught and held her eyes, taking her hand. "I beg to differ."

It was flattering, certainly, but also placed her on a pedestal that Ruby was distinctly less than comfortable with. The words were no grand declaration, but his expression bordered on worship, as if she were some otherworldly being too perfect to be real. Besides, Ruby was not in favour of compliments that flattered by deriding others in comparison.

She nearly sighed in relief when she saw Richard and Nell approaching. "Good morning, Ruby, Mr Wolfe."

Ruby greeted them with the same sunny smile that she always did, while Adrien offered nothing but an icy nod, his posture radiating disdain. To his credit, Richard barely faltered, only frowning in bafflement before he moved on. "Mother is with the Royal Twins today, so I thought I should ask when you planned to visit Grandmother Sophia, and if you minded company."

Ruby had planned to go earlier that morning, but Adrien had appeared as asked her to go walking, so Ruby had put it off. "I thought that I would go around lunchtime, but-"

Adrien cut her off, "But I've arranged for us to have lunch together, since I'm so busy."

The high-handed assumption that she wasn't busy grated on Ruby's nerves, but she offered Adrien a smile that was only a little forced. He was trying, after all, and his employ as a royal secretary was no easy task. Without waiting for a reply, Adrien tucked her hand into his arm, seeming not to notice the narrow-eyed glare that Nell shot him, before directing a far more plesant expression toward Ruby, "Well, you can meet us there after lunch, if you have plans. We'll be there for at least a few hours."

Adrien led the way to the Inn, asking Ruby to wait near the door while he spoke to the Innkeeper, who directed them to a secluded table in the corner. Adrien ordered for both of them, without asking what Ruby actually wanted, and an awkward silence descended. After a minute or two, Adrien broke it. "I don't think that your friend is especially fond of me. It makes spending time around her rather awkward and uncomfortable."

Ruby tried to be reassuring, even as she bit back the urge to point out that he could stand to make more of an effort in his own attitude toward her friends. "Nell and I have always been protective of each other. If she sees our situation becoming serious, I'm sure she'll be nicer when you see each other."

Ruby knew that she couldn't promise that Nell would like him, especially without knowing the history between them that made them so standoffish toward each other, but she knew that Nell would try for Ruby's sake. Still, Adrien frowned, almost pouting. "There are alternatives, but let's not focus on unpleasant matters."

It was Ruby's turn to frown at the implication that her friend was one such 'unpleasant matter'. She opened her mouth to speak sharply, but Adrien was already changing the conversation to a lighter topic, and a server was approaching with their lunch. Sighing in frustration at the missed opportunity to discuss a subject that they really did need to talk about before deciding whether or not to progress with a relationship, Ruby put that conversation aside for later.

She seemed to be doing that a lot, nowadays.

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A/N: Another chapter, and so soon! You're really quite spoiled.

As ever, reviews and constructive criticism are most welcome

Thanks,

Nat