Page 61 of A Raven Reformed

“I can bloody well walk,” he grumbled loudly and tried to stand. Giles pushed him firmly back into the chair by his shoulders.

Michael and Patrick both stepped toward him. “I suggest you cooperate, Ash,” Michael warned. “Don’t think I won’t carry you up the stairs myself and lock you in your room. One way or another, you’re going to stay off that leg.”

Ash grumpily shook Giles’s hands off of his shoulders as he glared at Michael, but he didn’t argue, and he stayed seated.

“Good,” Michael said, clapping his hands together. “Let’s all go warm ourselves by a fire with some nice hot drinks.”

The fire and drinks slowly chased away the chill from their travels. After a short time, Pearson spoke from the doorway.

“My lord, Mr. Carlyle has arrived.”

Belle whipped around, sure she had misheard. But he was there, standing in the doorway, a broad smile on his face. She clapped her hands over her mouth, momentarily frozen with shock as tears pooled in her eyes.

She raced across the room and threw herself into his embrace, overcome with happy sobs. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she cried.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily, my girl. Although, I suppose it’s my lady now.”

“Don’t you dare.” She laughed, wiping away her tears.

He grasped her shoulders and held her away so he could look her over. “It’s so good to see you happy, my dear girl.”

He bussed her cheek and then turned to Michael with a bow. “My lord.”

“I’m glad you made it, Carlyle.”

“You brought him here?” she asked.

Michael nodded. “I had always planned for him to follow us, but I had some business that needed to be taken care of first. I knew the two of you were close. He was very protective of you the first time I came.”

Nothing could possibly make this Christmas any better.

ChapterNineteen

Belle was so much more appreciative for her life at Glenwood now, after spending time in Raven Row. Being surrounded by people she loved for the past two weeks had been incredible, and she’d been able to spend much more of her time with Michael because he wasn’t working. But right now, she desperately needed to talk to Isaac. She was quite sure she was pregnant. She should probably be asking Lizzie about these kinds of things, but Lizzie would fret, and she really needed someone who wouldn’t tell her she was silly for being scared.

Of course she wanted a baby. It was the birth itself that frightened her. Her own mother had died in childbirth, which was why right now, she had no one to confide in. It was also the reason she was terrified. And in spite of how angry she knew Michael would be if he found out, she needed a private moment with Isaac. She needed him to tell her everything would be alright, like he always had anytime she’d been worried about something.

So when the men had headed off to play billiards, she’d hurried up here to wait for him. She fidgeted, trying to ignore the guilt that gnawed at her stomach for breaking the promise she’d made to Michael about having only professional interactions with Isaac. She let out a long sigh. Just this once, it would be alright.

After what felt like forever, Isaac finally appeared at the end of the hall.

“Psst.” She waved to him at the end of the corridor before he could disappear down the staircase that led to the kitchens. His long strides made short work of the hall as he came to join her.

“How can I be of service, my lady?”

“I need to talk to you,” she whispered. She ducked into a nearby sitting room and waved him inside.

“Belle, I shouldn’t be in here alone with you. You know that.”

She smiled. “That was the first time you’ve used my name in a long time. I miss that.”

“I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. It just slipped out.”

“Well, I liked it.”

He shook his head, looking a bit nervous. “I should go.”

“No, Isaac, wait. I need to talk to you. I need my friend.” She looked desperately into his eyes, tears pooling in her own.

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