Page 51 of A Raven Reborn

“Don’t look so worried, Rosie. I’m not going to beat you or throw you out on the streets. Although, when I walked through that door and knew you were safe, I wanted to wring your neck for making me worry.”

Rosalyn laughed nervously. Her cheeks warmed remembering exactly what behavior she’d been engaging in when Ash had found her and Patrick. At least he’d so far been kind enough not to mention that.

“Usually, the ladies who live here will have financial penalties as consequences; having to forgo a week of performances, for instance. But your situation is a little different. Instead, you’ll be taking over the duties that Daisy and Iris normally perform around here for the next week, in addition to your own. Do you think you’ll be able to manage that with sore hands?”

She nodded confidently. “I will manage. It’s the least I can do, and I think that’s a fair punishment after what I put them through.”

“Good. I haven’t finished yet, though. During that week, you’re also not to leave Raven House. No shopping trips, no outings with the other ladies, no visits to see Patrick. You will remain within these walls. Understood?”

“Yes, sir… Ash.” She cringed slightly. “Sorry. Old habits, I suppose.”

He gave her an understanding smile and came around the desk. When she stood, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “This too shall pass.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Thank you, Ash.”

She expected him to argue and brush it off insisting she didn’t need to thank him, but instead he just squeezed her tightly again and said, “You’re welcome, Rosie.” Somehow he understood. Whether it was from all the ladies he’d cared for over the years or experiences in his own past, he knew how grateful she was to him for just being safe.

He leaned in, then, and whispered conspiratorially in her ear, “Genuine, heartfelt apologies to Daisy and Iris probably wouldn’t go amiss.”

“And to you, as well, I suppose?” He lifted his arm from her shoulders and stepped around to face her.

“Oh, I’m counting on it.” He winked. “Now, go get warmed through and dry, and get plenty of rest tonight.”

He opened the door, and she knew herself to be dismissed. How was it possible that she felt far better now, after just being assigned extra work and confinement for the next week, than she had before walking into Ash’s office?

* * *

Patrick wasn't surprised when Ash appeared in his bedroom doorway. He had a key and never bothered to knock. He was straightening his tie in the mirror, God how he missed Finch. "Is she safe and dry?" he asked Ash's reflection.

"Of course." Ash leaned against the doorframe. “I wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t.”

"I hope you were nicer to her than you were in the shop."

Ash tapped his cane on the floor a few times but remained silent.

Patrick whipped around. "What did you do to her?"

"There had to be consequences, Patrick."

"If you hurt her…" Every muscle in his body tightened as he advanced on his friend.

Ash merely rolled his eyes. "All of this is your fault, Patrick." He pushed away from the doorframe and pointed his cane towards Patrick’s chest. "Do you think I enjoy meting out punishment? I had to. If I hadn't, the other ladies would think she was allowed to get away with breaking the rules, and they would have turned on her."

A flash of guilt ripped through him. Ash was right about that, of course. He was also right that it was all Patrick's fault. “It isn’t fair, Ash. I was the one who led her away from where she was supposed to be.”

“You don’t have to convince me, Patrick. I’ve just said this whole mess is your fault, but I can’t exactly punish you, now can I?”

“Sure you can,” Patrick said, taking a step towards Ash. “You can return the punch I gave you.” He clasped his hands behind his back and lifted his chin.

“I can’t very well have you on the floor of the club tonight sporting a black eye.”

“In the stomach, then.”

Ash slammed his fist into Patrick’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He doubled over, arms wrapped around his stomach. He hadn’t actually expected Ash to punch him and wasn’t prepared for the blow.

Ash spoke quietly into Patrick’s ear. “That’s for Rosie.”

Patrick nodded, unable to speak.

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