Page 40 of A Raven Returns

“Mmmmm. Sleep tight, Angel.”

* * *

The next morning, Ash woke before dawn. He felt guilty slipping out of bed and leaving Gwen to wake up alone, but he had countless things to take care of before they could leave. Not to mention, if he stayed in bed, he’d want to make love to her again, and that couldn’t happen. As incredible as the night had been, it was over. It was time for them to return to Raven House, and to their lives as employer and employee, once more. Somehow.

He wrote a quick note and left it on the pillow beside her. Hopefully that would help some. “Goodbye, my angel,” he whispered as he looked down at her in the darkness. Next, it was time to dress and face his first task. He let out a sigh as he rang for Benson.

“Good morning, my lord. You’re looking well.”

“This scruffy face would suggest otherwise.” He rubbed his hand over his bristly chin.

“Well then, let’s get you shaved, shall we?”

Ash sat down and Benson draped a towel under his chin and around his neck. “I want to thank you, Benson. It has been a pleasure having you take care of me these few days.”

“I assure you, my lord, it has been my honor.” Ash would miss Benson. Fogg was a fine valet and served him well, but Benson looked at Ash as a loving father might.

“It’s time for me to head back to London today, but I’m hoping you might consider staying on here in my absence. I don’t know whether Trent would allow you to act as valet for him. He’s certainly never had a manservant, and I believe his independence and stubbornness will make him refuse. But I’d like it if you could try to keep an eye on him and report to me.”

His brow furrowed. “Like a spy, my lord?”

“No. I just want to know that he’s taken care of mostly. He’s never had a father, and I think he could use someone around who can impart gentle wisdom.”

“I’m not sure it’s my place, my lord, and I doubt I’m the best source for wisdom.”

“All I know is that these past few days have made me wish I’d had a man like you as my father.”

“I’d be proud if you were my son, Master Adrian.” Tears glistened in the man’s eyes.

Benson removed the towel and Ash stood. He placed a firm hand on the older man’s shoulder. “You’re a good man, Benson. Will you take me up on my offer?”

“I’d be honored to, my lord.”

When Ash was dressed, Benson handed him his cane, with not so much as a raised eyebrow. Apparently, someone had found it on the piano where he’d left it.

“Thank you. You’ve saved me a trip down the stairs without it.”

Who would ever have thought that coming back to this awful place would give Ash the opportunity to begin to heal his crippled soul? As he made his way across the house to find Trent, he could almost feel that the shattered pieces of his heart had begun to put themselves back together again.

He eventually found Trent in the nursery with Maggie. The pair of them were sitting in a circle with a couple of dolls, apparently enjoying a lovely tea. It was about time there was some life in this old house. Perhaps a bit of laughter and joy would help to chase away some of the shadows.

Maggie’s eyes lit when she spotted him in the doorway. “Uncle Ash! Come and join us for tea!”

He chuckled. “I’d be honored to.”

“Good morning,” Trent said, as Ash lowered himself to the floor. There was something off, a coldness that hadn’t been there the last time they’d spoken.

“Good morning, Trent. I trust you slept well.”

“You have to hold it like this,” Maggie interrupted before Trent could answer. She modeled how to properly hold the teacup, her little pinky sticking up.

Ash laughed. “Like this?”

She nodded approvingly at his attempt, followed by a round of giggles. He’d miss her. It seemed strange that such a thing could be possible, considering he hadn’t even known she existed a few days ago.

After a short time, Ash got to his feet and rang for a servant to watch over Maggie.

By the time he and Trent were settled into Ash’s study, his concern had grown immensely. Trent hadn’t spoken a single word to him other than his initial greeting.

---