Page 46 of A Raven Reborn

“No,” he said, his eyes blinking slowly. He was obviously exasperated with her, but she wasn’t sure why. “That wasn’t what I said, but we’ll come back to that part… What did I say before that?”

Rosalyn tried to remember, but her mind was scrambled, so she just shrugged.

“I said you’re safe here.” He met her eyes to make sure she’d heard. “All of the women in this building are under my care, and I take that very seriously. I’m not going to throw you out on the streets.”

“I’m sorry. I suppose I just…” Not knowing what else to say, she ended with another shrug and looked down at her hands in her lap.

“I understand, Rosie. Most of the women here came in just like you; wronged by everyone in their life and afraid to believe that they might actually be safe here, because it can’t possibly last.”

That was exactly how she felt.

“And like you,” he continued, “many of them blamed themselves for the bad that had happened to them and believed they didn’t deserve better.”

“How do you know I feel that way? I mean, I’ve hardly said a word to you, and yet I feel as if you’ve just read the thoughts in my mind.”

“I’ve been doing this for a while.” The corners of his mouth turned up in a sad smile. “Now,” he said, sitting forward, “back to the other part of what I said. I have decided you cannot be a Lady Raven, and it isn’t because you’ve done something wrong or because I don’t think you’d do a fine job of it.”

Once again, she felt as if he had somehow read her thoughts. “Why, then? And what will I do?”

“As the owners of the club, Patrick, Michael, and I have only a handful of strict rules. One of those rules is that we do not have any kind of romantic relationship with the women who work for us. Since Patrick still wishes to see you, we will just come up with another plan for you.”

Only then did she remember the letter, which was now somewhat crumpled, still grasped in her hand. She held it up, “I guess you’ve read this, then?”

“No. Your private correspondences are none of my business. Patrick and I had a conversation this morning before I allowed him to deliver the letter to you.”

Why did he do this? Why was he so kind to her and all these other women? She’d never known a man to be so respectful of women. But even more baffling, why, in spite of his kindness, was she not drawn to him the way she had been with Patrick? Even in the first moments, wrapped in his coat in the hansom cab, she’d relished the smell of his sweet cologne, and the warmth of his body pressed against hers. She’d felt as if she couldn’t get close enough to him.

“Thank you.” She was on the verge of calling him my lord, but stopped herself. “I don’t know what to call you,” she admitted.

“Call me Ash.”

“Thank you, Ash. I’m not sure I deserve your kindness, but I appreciate it, all the same.”

“You’re welcome, Rosie.” He gave her a nod, and she stood to leave.

“Ella will be teaching a sewing class this afternoon. Daisy can show you which room it’s in if you’re interested in attending.”

“I would love that!” The weight in her stomach lessened significantly with that, and she felt lighter than she had in days as she made her way back to her room.

ChapterSixteen

Patrick climbed the stairs to his office in The Raven’s Den. He poured himself a glass of brandy and dropped down into his chair. Michael entered a few minutes later.

“Busy night.” He crossed the room and opened one of the safes. “Not that you would have noticed.”

“What do you mean? I spent more time on the floor than you did tonight.”

“Perhaps, but every time I looked at you, your eyes were glued to the ladies.”

“Fair enough. I admit I was a bit distracted.”

Michael raised a mocking brow. “A bit?”

Patrick emptied the remaining contents of his glass down his throat. “I don’t know whether I’ve been hoping to see her there or praying she won’t be.”

“I don’t think it matters what you were hoping for. If Ash said she won’t be there, she won’t be there.”

“I know.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Tomorrow is the day, the day I told her I’d be waiting for her if she wants to see me.” Panic suddenly welled in Patrick’s throat. “What if she doesn’t come? What will I do then?”

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