Page 20 of A Raven Returns

Fogg nodded slowly, and that was all Ash needed. “I will kill him,” he growled as he turned for the door.

Before he even knew something was happening, Fogg somehow managed to tug him backwards, sweep his legs out from under him and push him into the empty chair. His hand was pressed firmly against Ash’s chest.

“I can’t let you kill him, Ash.”

Ash was stunned. Not by the fact that Fogg was physically able to do what he’d done, but by the fact that he had. What had gotten into him?

Fogg turned his head toward James. “If a word of any of what has just happened leaves this room, I will cut out your tongue and send it to your mother. Do you understand?”

The man choked, the color draining from his face. “I understand! I won’t say a word! I haven’t seen or heard anything.”

“Jesus, Fogg. What is wrong with you? You’ve scared the lad half to death. Now let me up because I am going to kill that bastard.”

“You’re not, Ash. I’m sorry. He is going to be arrested for what he’s done, but if you kill him, it will be you they are arresting, instead. And if you’re in prison or hanged, I’m out of a job, so I’m afraid you’re going to stay in that chair until you promise not to kill him.” He shrugged and lazily swung Ash’s cane back and forth at his side.

“I’m not making any promises, Fogg. If he did something to hurt Gwen—” Anger throbbed inside his veins.

“He did,” Fogg said quietly. “And if the circumstances were different, you know I’d take care of the body when you were finished, but that just can’t happen this time.”

“Why not?” Ash raged.

“Because he was already being investigated. This is bigger than just Gwen.”

“JustGwen?” His voice trembled as fury and heartache warred within his chest.

“That’s not what I meant, Ash. Warwick and his brother and a couple of other men have been providing fake marriages for a price, and they’ve been doing it for years.”

Ash turned his gaze on James. “Did you know anything about that?”

“No, my lord. I would never participate in something so wretched.”

“I think perhaps one of my tenants is involved, as well. I saw Warwick and him arguing this morning.”

“We’ll certainly look into him then,” Fogg assured him. “Now, if you didn’t know about any of this, why is he locked up somewhere in your house?”

“I walked in on him… with a maid.”

“Oh.” Fogg cringed slightly. “So when you say he’s locked up, it isn’t without some injuries.”

“Only a black eye and some broken ribs. Now I wish I’d killed him then and there. I had no idea my loyal servant was going to turn on me.” He glowered at Fogg.

“I know, Ash. I am sorry. I didn’t hurt your leg, did I?”

“Just promise me you won’t stop me from killing the man who actually abused her.”

“I’ll gladly hold him upright until you beat his last breath out of him.”

Ash looked over at James. “I bet this wasn’t how you thought your day was going to go when you put that livery on this morning, was it?”

James shook his head. “But I can promise that I’ll never do anything to put myself on the wrong side of you again.”

Ash threw back his head and roared with laughter. And then, using the distraction to his advantage, he surged to his feet, wrapped an arm around Fogg’s middle and hurled him into the chair, retrieving his cane in the process. He pressed the end of it roughly into Fogg’s chest.

“Don’t you ever do something like that to me again.” He drew the words out slowly for emphasis. “You seem to have forgotten, Fogg, I didn't build my humble empire by being weak. Or complacent. Or nice.”

Fogg held up his hands. “I’m sorry, Ash. I may have overstepped.”

“There’s no may about it, Fogg. Except that you may be out of a job.”

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