Page 16 of A Raven Reborn

Her smile faded and a touch of sadness crept into her eyes. “That, I understand.” She nodded solemnly. Patrick turned over the last card in his pile. Rosie pulled herself from her thoughts and followed suit. Once again, she took the two cards.

“You are one lucky lady!”

“Have I won?” Excitement glistened in her eyes once more, but she put her hand up to cover a yawn.

“That’s only the first round, I’m afraid, but it’s a good time to call it a night.”

“But I’m winning! We can’t just quit!” She covered another yawn.

“I promise not to touch the cards. We’ll leave them just as they are and continue tomorrow.” He straightened the piles and set them neatly to the side. “Now, time for bed.”

“Very well,” she yawned again followed by a sheepish grin, and took herself off to bed.

ChapterSix

Sleeping through the daytime hours and waking in the afternoon was going to take some getting used to for Rosalyn. In recent years, she’d been expected to rise before dawn. Her stepfather didn’t countenance laziness. At least, not from her.

Rosalyn stretched and climbed out of bed. Somehow, she missed Patrick. How was it possible to miss a man she hardly knew? She’d thoroughly enjoyed playing Battle with him and looked forward to continuing their game. A smile on her lips, she tied the sash of her cotton wrapper and opened the bedroom door. Not wanting to disturb Patrick if he was still sleeping, she instead headed for the kitchen. Funny how tea and toast were what she craved when she woke, even if it was late in the afternoon.

As she left the kitchen with sustenance in hand, she heard banging from Finch’s room. Once again, he was at the workbench with his back to the door, so engrossed in whatever he was doing, he had no idea she was watching. After a moment, she quietly cleared her throat. Finch only jumped slightly this time.

“Rosie!” he put down what he was working on and moved to greet her. “I didn’t realize you were up. What can I do for you?”

“Nothing.” She raised her toast and tea. “I just came to visit, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind!” He looked around somewhat frantically before pointing to his own chair, the only chair in the room. “Here, you can sit here.”

“I don’t need to sit, Finch.” She moved toward his workbench. “Can you show me what you’re working on?”

“Absolutely I can!” He beamed with excitement as he picked up his project and held it up for her. “I’m just putting the finishing touches on Ella’s necklace.”

Rosalyn was stunned. Delicate links of gold held together countless little emeralds. “Finch, that is beautiful!” She looked up to see pink suffuse his cheeks at the compliment. “Did you make this?”

He nodded. “That’s what I do in my spare time. I take pieces from Patrick’s shop that may not be very desirable and turn them into custom designs.”

“Wow. That is incredible.” She scooped the bottom of the necklace into her palm and raised it up for closer inspection. “You’re very talented, Finch!”

“Aw,” he shrugged his shoulders. “Thank you for saying so.”

Finch showed her several other pieces he was working on or had completed, each one as stunning as the last.

“Patrick is lucky to have you.”

“I keep telling him that,” Finch said, laughter dancing in his eyes. “I’m in need of a break. I’ll make myself some tea, and we can sit somewhere more comfortable and chat for a bit.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Perhaps he would tell her about Patrick.

Finch got himself some tea and a biscuit and led her back to Patrick’s bedroom, where they settled into the chairs.

“Tell me something about Patrick.”

“Well, although he won’t like me saying it, he has a very kind heart. He likes to grumble and curse, but beneath that is a warmth and generosity that you won’t often find.”

Somehow that didn’t surprise her, really. “Do you—” She paused, unsure of what exactly she was trying to ask. “Do you know what he plans for me? I don’t really know what I’m doing here.”

Finch chuckled. “Well, I didn’t know what I was doing here when I first arrived either. I just never left.” He shrugged, a mischievous smile on his lips. “He hasn’t sacked me yet.”

Rosalyn laughed. “Now that’s a story I’d like to hear.”

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