Page 41 of A Raven Returns

“What’s bothering you, Trent? Are you having some reservations?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps I am.”

“If this is going to work,”—Ash gestured between the two of them—“we’re going to have to be up front and honest with each other. If you need something, or if you have concerns, you’re just going to have to tell me.”

“Very well.” His mouth was set in a grim line. “I believe you have misrepresented yourself.”

The accusation made Ash a bit irritable. “I’m going to need more than that, Trent.”

“Well, last night, I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to do a bit of wandering.” His eyes met Ash’s, and there was loathing within them. “I saw you with Gwen.”

Ash nodded and let out a long sigh. “Whatever you think that was, I can promise you it wasn’t.”

Trent huffed a cynical laugh. “I’m not a complete fool, Ash. After all your talk of no one touching the women who work for you. Especially you.” He rolled his eyes. “I heard the pair of you in the ballroom and then I watched you carry her up the stairs. I think we can both agree that you weren’t giving her piano lessons in there.”

Ash sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. If this were anyone else, he’d just punch them in their impertinent face and be done with it, but Trent needed to understand or he would never trust him.

“Well, up front and honest it is. When you are,”—Ash held out his hands, indicating his ownership of everything around them—“there is never a time when you are not in a position of power. If she’s an employee, if she works in a brothel, even a mistress, they are all subordinate in some way. It took me a few years of being away from this place to really understand that. Once I did, I stopped allowing myself those types of interactions. I set strict rules for myself, sure that if I didn’t have them, I’d inevitably become my father who took whatever he wanted, from whomever he wanted. Because of that, I’ve been celibate for fourteen years.”

Trent’s brow was furrowed, his eyes scouring Ash’s face, but he didn’t ask any questions, so Ash continued.

“As for Gwen, she has spent the past year believing herself to be married to someone who was, well, probably a lot like my father, actually. She has since discovered that was all a lie, after enduring a year of unspeakable abuse.” Ash looked into Trent’s eyes. “So what you witnessed last night was not me taking advantage of a subordinate. It was two very damaged people, trying to help one another to heal. Today, we are returning to Raven House where she will once again be my employee and my rules will be firmly back in place.”

Trent nodded, his eyes glazing over a bit as his thoughts turned inward. After a moment, he met Ash’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Ash. I shouldn’t have made assumptions. But since we’re being upfront and honest, perhaps you’ll allow me to share some of my own story as an explanation.”

“By all means. I’d love to know anything about your life that you’re willing to share.”

“The truth is, I feel as if we may be kindred spirits in some ways. You see, I am also celibate for the same kinds of reasons. Although, I’ve never actually… well…” His eyes flicked up to Ash’s probably expecting some kind of ridicule, but when there was none, he continued. “My mother sometimes had to give favors to men in order to keep a roof over our heads. That’s how Maggie came to be.” He shrugged. “I’ve just never wanted to be one of those men, the predators who took advantage of my mother.” He let out a long sigh.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help your mother, Trent.”

He nodded, sadness settling on his face. “Anyway, I suppose that’s why I immediately thought the worst when I saw you with Gwen, and I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. There was no reason you should have thought any differently.” Ash gave him a sad smile. “We’re quite the pair, you and I. I guess we truly are brothers.”

They shared a laugh. Trent was a good man, and Ash was grateful to suddenly have him in his life.

“You’re young, though. There’s hope for you yet. Perhaps once you settle into your role here, you can find yourself a lovely wife.”

“One can only hope, I suppose. And what of you?”

Ash flicked his hand through the air waving the idea aside. “I’m going back to my life as a perpetual bachelor, running my club, making money, growing my little empire. It’s enough to keep me busy.”

“Somehow I have my doubts it will go that way.” There was a bit of teasing in Trent’s raised brow.

“What does that mean?”

“Well, all due respect, but I think you’re being naive to believe everything is just going to go back to the way it was. I’m no expert on the subject, but I saw the way you looked at Gwen as you carried her up the stairs. Even in the dark it was obvious you are completely besotted.”

Ash shook his head. Trent wasn’t wrong. Of course he was besotted, but that didn’t matter. “I don’t have that luxury.”

“Well, good luck, then.”

Ash barked a laugh. He was going to need all the luck he could get.

“On to other business. I wanted to talk to you about Benson, the man who’s been acting as my valet while I’ve been here. I’ve asked him to stay on here and keep an eye on things. He will be at your disposal if you need anything.”

“One of your spies?”

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