Page 13 of A Raven Reformed

Michael snorted. “Why do I get the feeling that’s not true?”

Patrick ignored him and continued. “As I’m sure you’ll recall, before Rosie and I married, we had our share of difficulties.”

Michael nodded. He remembered. They’d talked about it in this very room one night.

“For a long time, I thought if I married her and then sent her away, she would have the protection of my name, but also be protected… from me.” He looked at Michael intently. “Is any of this sounding familiar?”

Michael stretched the tension in his neck. “Perhaps.” He dropped his gaze to his thumbnails as he nervously clicked them together. “It’s not the same as you and Rosie, though. Belle didn’t choose me.” She had very likely chosen someone else. Not that it made any difference. “She deserves so much better than me.”

Patrick pushed away from the doorframe and crossed the room to place a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Be that as it may, you are what she has, so you’ll just have to step up and become what she deserves.”

Michael blew out a long breath. Patrick was right, of course. He couldn’t very well stay here and hide forever. At some point he was going to have to attempt to repair the damage he had caused. There had to be something he could do to make things better. She deserved happiness. Perhaps all he needed was a conversation with her. If she would be happier with him gone, he could always come back here.

“I guess that means I need to go back.”

Patrick nodded. “On the very next train. But I want you to promise me that if you get to that place again, you’ll send a telegram down here before you even take a sip. If you won’t make me that promise, I’m coming with you.”

They took their promises to each other very seriously, so he wouldn’t make it if he wasn’t confident he would keep it. He nodded slowly before meeting Patrick’s gaze. “I promise.”

ChapterFive

Michael didn’t want to face what he knew he must, and by the time he sat on the platform, waiting for the train, it was already well into the afternoon. Jones had taken his luggage on an earlier train and gone ahead, so when the whistle sounded from the approaching train, all he had to worry about was getting himself onboard.

He folded the newspaper he’d been staring at and stood. His stomach was already queasy, and he still had a two-hour train ride ahead of him before he had to actually face her.

“Michael!” He turned at the sound of his name being shouted. Patrick was jogging toward him. “I’m glad I caught you.” He stopped for a moment to catch his breath.

“What is it?”

Patrick placed a hand on his shoulder before speaking. “Let me start with the important part, she’s safe.”

“Who’s safe?”

Patrick gaped at him. “Who do you think I’d chase you down on a train platform for? Your wife, of course. She’s here. She’s at your townhouse, with Rosie, and she’s safe.”

“Are you telling me she came all the way down here alone?” Ice dropped into the pit of his stomach at the thought.

Patrick nodded. “But like I said, she’s safe.”

Michael pushed past him without another word and strode from the platform. He gave his address to a waiting cab and Patrick climbed in behind him. Anger simmered in his veins. How could she do something so reckless?

“How exactly did she end up at my townhouse?”

“I don’t know the details. Rosie and I happened to be passing when she was knocking on your front door.”

“Well thank God you were there at that moment. I’ve given all my staff time off because I figured I’d be away for a while again.”

Patrick nodded. He obviously knew, since he’d let her in. “Ash showed up just after me. Apparently, a telegram from Glenwood was delivered to the club to alert you after they discovered her missing.”

Mrs. Ingram was no doubt worried sick about her. When they finally pulled up in front of his townhouse, Patrick stopped him before he could jump down.

“I know you’re angry because she put herself in danger, I would be too, but just take a breath before you go in. You don’t want to say something you’ll regret.”

He shook Patrick off and jumped down. Of course he was angry. She could have gotten herself killed. “Did someone send a telegram back to Glenwood?”

“Immediately,” Patrick said with a nod.

“Thank you.” And then he did take a deep, steadying breath before he strode into the house.

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