Page 23 of A Raven Returns

“Thank you for your honesty, Trent. Come and see me tomorrow. We have more to discuss, but you’re freezing, and I have a veritable circus that I need to get back to.”

Ash reached into his pocket, pulled a handful of bank notes out of his clip, and pressed the folded paper into Trent’s palm.

His eyes grew wide. “My lord, I can’t take this.”

“It’s Ash, and I’m not giving you a choice. I’d like to come in and have a quick word with Maggie before I leave, if you’ll allow it.”

He hesitated a moment, his eyes trying to read Ash’s intentions.

“I won’t do anything to hurt her, Trent.”

He nodded and opened the door. Maggie looked her brother over from head to toe. “You kept your promise?” she asked shyly.

“Of course I did.” Ash crouched down again. “I always keep my promises.”

“Maggie, this is Lord?—”

“Tsst.” Ash cut him off before he could finish. “I’m Uncle Ash. It’s nice to meet you, Maggie.” Not a chance in Hades was he going to have this sweet, innocent girl calling him Lord Ashdown.

She looked to her brother, unsure of what to make of Ash. Trent nodded and Ash was quite sure he brushed a tear from the corner of his eye.

“Your brother is going to take you into the village for some sweets tomorrow.”

“He is?” Her face split with a wide grin and she danced in a little circle.

Ash nodded. “And if you’re good, he might even get you something special like a toy or a new dress.”

Her mouth fell open as she gazed up at her brother, completely in awe of him. Somehow, this little girl he hadn’t even known existed yesterday had just charmed her way right into his heart. The dark, ambitious, scowling, sinister, club-owning, fear-inspiring ruler of Raven Row, had been brought low by a slip of a girl with chestnut curls that bounced when she danced and a smile that could light up the darkest of nights. Ash would do whatever he could to make sure that her brother… his brother… could always be exactly the man she believed him to be right now, in this magical moment.

Ash pushed himself up with his cane and walked with Trent to the door. “I don’t know how to thank you, my l… Ash.”

“You can thank me by bringing her with you when you come up to the house tomorrow, so she can show me her special treats.”

“You’re going to spoil her. We can’t usually afford sweets and things.”

“You can now, and of course I’m going to spoil her. That’s what uncles are supposed to do, isn’t it?”

Ash could see Trent struggling with accepting kindness from him. He placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Rest easy tonight.”

Ash knew the look that filled Trent’s eyes. It was the look of someone who’d just had their whole view of the world turned on its head. He’d obviously only ever been able to trust himself, and therefore, didn’t trust any of this yet. But he would, in time.

“Wish me luck!” Ash called as he climbed into the saddle. Despite the chaos he was riding back to, his heart felt lighter than it had since he arrived.

ChapterEight

Gwen had heard Ash’s valet leave him at least a half hour ago, but still, he hadn’t paid her a visit. There had obviously been plenty keeping him busy during the day, but why was he still avoiding her? She thought he’d at least want to talk to her about the maid he’d sent up earlier, even if Mrs. Archer had eventually come to collect her.

She had no right to expect him to keep her company and entertain her. He’d already done so much for her, she should just leave him be, and yet, her feet were carrying her toward the door to his chambers. Even to her, this place felt a bit like a mausoleum, and she longed for his company.

As she carefully pushed the door open, she told herself she wasn’t knocking just in case he was asleep and she didn’t want to wake him. But in truth, she didn’t want to give him a chance to refuse her.

Ash sat in one of the plush chairs before the fire, a glass of brandy in his hand. He wore pajama bottoms, but on top, only his robe and it was wide open. Firelight danced across his bare chest, and she drank it in for far too long before raising her gaze to his eyes, which were watching her.

“Good evening, Gwen.” To her disappointment, he pulled the sides of his robe closed. “You should be asleep.”

She shrugged and padded further into the room, silently begging him not to send her away. “I missed you.”

“I’m sorry. I was…” He let out a long sigh. “I had a lot on my plate today.”

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