Chapter 37: Ruby — Summary and Study Guide

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

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This page is intended for readers who have already finished the chapter and want a deeper look at its events and themes.

All references are based on the chapter text as provided.

No external sources are used.

The analysis is original and aims to illuminate the narrative without repeating the author's exact words.

Please note that this is a study companion, not a substitute for reading the book.

The chapter is rich with emotional nuance, and this guide will help you unpack it.

Now, let's dive in.

The chapter is titled “Ruby,” and it centers on Ruby Tremaine's internal struggle and a life-changing proposal.

We'll explore the summary, key events, character development, themes, and why this chapter matters to the overall story.

We'll also provide three study questions with answers to test your comprehension.

Let's begin.

Summary

The chapter opens in the Davenport drawing room, which Olivia has transformed into a headquarters for planning a campaign fundraiser.

Swatches, place settings, and food samples cover every surface.

Ruby is there to give her opinion on the desserts, and she spits out a lemon tart, declaring that Jessie should make the desserts instead.

Olivia laughs and notes “no to the lemon tarts” in her book.

Ruby's real concern, however, is not the tart.

She knows Olivia wants her opinion on converting the annual masquerade ball into a fundraiser, but Ruby's mood is spoiled by a secret she has been carrying.

She reveals that Harrison Barton believes her parents know about their relationship and have no objections.

In reality, Ruby has not told her parents anything.

She has been avoiding the conversation, and Harrison has assumed everything is fine.

Olivia is shocked and urges Ruby to confess the truth, warning that if Harrison runs into Ruby's father at a gentlemen's club, disaster could follow.

Ruby admits she fears disappointing her parents, especially now that the campaign for her father's election consumes their attention.

She feels she cannot compete with the campaign for their approval.

Olivia, speaking from her own experience, insists that deception will cause more pain than the truth, and Ruby finally agrees to tell her parents.

Olivia suggests Ruby leave now to catch a ride into town with Hetty, and Ruby thanks her friend before departing.

However, instead of going home to confront her parents, Ruby goes to the museum to meet Harrison.

She arrives late and finds him waiting, dressed in a new suit and holding a bouquet of deep red roses.

He looks nervous.

Ruby watches him for a moment before approaching.

Harrison greets her formally, hands her the roses, and then, with tenderness, declares his love for her.

He praises her wit, laughter, passion, and strength, and then kneels before her with a velvet box.

He opens it to reveal a large ruby ring, haloed by diamonds, and asks Ruby to marry him.

Ruby immediately says yes, without hesitation.

Harrison leaps up, catches her around the waist, and spins her around the room.

They laugh together, and Ruby feels a sense of true joy that she wants to hold onto forever.

Key Events

Ruby visits Olivia at the Davenport drawing room, now a campaign fundraiser planning hub.
Ruby dislikes a lemon tart and suggests Jessie make desserts instead.
Olivia asks Ruby's opinion on converting the masquerade ball into a fundraiser, but Ruby is distracted.
Ruby confesses that Harrison believes her parents know about their relationship, but she hasn't told them.
Olivia urges Ruby to tell the truth, warning of potential disaster if Harrison encounters Ruby's father.
Ruby admits she fears disappointing her parents, especially with the campaign taking their attention.
Olivia insists deception will cause more pain, and Ruby agrees to tell her parents.
Olivia suggests Ruby leave for a ride into town with Hetty, and Ruby thanks her.
Instead of going home, Ruby goes to the museum to meet Harrison.
Harrison gives Ruby roses, declares his love, and proposes with a ruby ring.
Ruby immediately accepts, and they celebrate joyfully.

Character Development

This chapter is pivotal for Ruby Tremaine.

She begins the chapter in a state of anxiety and guilt, burdened by her secret.

Her initial reaction to the lemon tart is not about the tart itself but about the “sour taste” in her mouth from her deception.

She is aware that she has created a mess and that it is spoiling her excitement for the party.

When she confesses to Olivia, she reveals a deep fear of disappointing her parents.

She reflects on how she has gone from being the child who could do no wrong to someone whose life is a disaster.

The campaign for her father's election has consumed her parents' attention, and Ruby feels she cannot compete with it for their approval.

This vulnerability makes her relatable and human.

Olivia serves as a voice of reason and experience.

She understands Ruby's fear of losing her parents' esteem, but she warns that deception will lead to more pain than the truth.

Olivia's own past mistakes (implied by her “trust me”) give her advice weight.

Ruby agrees to tell her parents, but her actions betray her intention.

She thanks Olivia and then goes to the museum instead.

This shows that Ruby is still torn between her desire for honesty and her fear of confrontation.

However, when Harrison proposes, Ruby's immediate acceptance reveals her true feelings.

She does not hesitate, and the joy she feels is described as “true joy.”

This moment suggests that Ruby is finally choosing what she wants, even if she hasn't yet faced the consequences with her parents.

Harrison Barton is also developed here.

He is nervous and formal, but his declaration of love is sincere and heartfelt.

He admires Ruby's wit, laughter, passion, and strength, and he specifically praises her bravery in choosing what she wants.

This is ironic because Ruby has not been brave enough to tell her parents the truth, but Harrison sees her as brave.

His proposal with a ruby ring is symbolic, matching her name and the gemstone.

The chapter ends with Ruby feeling weightless and joyful, a stark contrast to her earlier anxiety.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Deception vs. Honesty: The central theme of this chapter is the conflict between deception and honesty.

Ruby has been lying to Harrison by omission, letting him believe her parents approve of their relationship.

Olivia argues that deception will cause more pain than the truth, and Ruby agrees intellectually but fails to act on it.

The chapter shows the emotional toll of deception on Ruby, as she feels a “sour taste” and cannot enjoy the party planning.

The proposal scene, while joyful, is built on a foundation of lies, which foreshadows future conflict.

Fear of Parental Disapproval: Ruby's fear of disappointing her parents is a powerful motivator.

She feels that the campaign has taken their attention, and she cannot compete with it.

This fear drives her to avoid telling them the truth, even though she knows it is wrong.

The chapter explores how parental expectations can shape a young woman's decisions and lead to rash choices.

True Joy vs. Superficial Happiness: The chapter contrasts Ruby's initial anxiety with the “true joy” she feels when she accepts Harrison's proposal.

The lemon tart, which Ruby dislikes, represents superficial pleasures that cannot overcome her inner turmoil.

The proposal, on the other hand, brings genuine happiness, but it is tainted by the secret she still carries.

The phrase “true joy” suggests that Ruby believes this is what she truly wants, but the reader knows it is built on a lie.

The Ruby Ring: The ring is a symbol of Harrison's love and commitment, but it also matches Ruby's name.

It is a large ruby haloed by diamonds, representing the preciousness of their bond.

However, the ring also serves as a reminder of Ruby's deception, as she accepts it without having been honest with her parents.

The Museum Setting: The museum, with its grand doors and paintings of lovers, provides a romantic backdrop for the proposal.

It is a public yet intimate space, suggesting that Ruby and Harrison's love is meant to be seen, but also that they are hiding it from her family.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Ruby's character arc.

It sets up a major conflict that will likely drive the rest of the novel: Ruby's engagement to Harrison is based on a lie, and her parents are unaware.

The chapter also highlights Ruby's internal struggle between her desire for independence and her fear of disappointing her family.

By accepting Harrison's proposal, Ruby makes a choice that will force her to confront her parents eventually.

The chapter also deepens the theme of social expectations, as Ruby's relationship with Harrison crosses class lines (implied by the Tremaine family's political ambitions and the Davenport's wealth).

The proposal is a moment of pure joy, but it is overshadowed by the impending revelation.

This chapter matters because it raises the stakes for Ruby and sets the stage for the consequences of her deception.

It also shows Olivia's role as a supportive friend, and it gives readers a glimpse of Harrison's genuine love for Ruby.

The chapter ends on a high note, but the reader knows that Ruby's happiness is fragile.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ruby initially reject the lemon tart, and what does this reveal about her state of mind?

Ruby rejects the lemon tart not because it is actually bad, but because she has a “sour taste” in her mouth from her secret.

She is anxious about her deception regarding Harrison, and this anxiety spoils her enjoyment of even simple pleasures.

This reveals that Ruby is deeply troubled and that her guilt is affecting her ability to engage with the world around her.

2. What advice does Olivia give Ruby, and why is it significant?

Olivia advises Ruby to tell her parents the truth about Harrison, warning that deception will lead to more pain than the truth.

She speaks from her own experience, implying that she has made similar mistakes.

This advice is significant because it highlights the theme of honesty and sets up Ruby's internal conflict.

Ruby agrees but then fails to follow through, showing her fear and indecision.

3. How does the proposal scene contrast with Ruby's earlier mood, and what does this suggest about her character?

The proposal scene is joyful and romantic, with Harrison declaring his love and Ruby accepting without hesitation.

This contrasts sharply with Ruby's earlier anxiety and guilt.

The contrast suggests that Ruby is capable of true happiness when she is with Harrison, but that this happiness is fragile because it is built on a lie.

It also shows that Ruby is willing to choose what she wants, even if she hasn't yet faced the consequences.