Page 27 of A Raven Returns

“For what he did to that maid?”

“No, unfortunately, the only punishment he’ll get for that is the black eye and broken ribs I provided yesterday.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear he’s at least in some pain.”

Ash chuckled. “I didn’t have you down as someone who enjoys violence.”

“That poor girl will never be the same because of him. So if that’s not the reason he’s being arrested, then why?”

A brief shadow passed over his face before he answered. “He’s been providing fake marriages for people.”

Gwen gasped, pressing a hand over her mouth. Bile tried to make its way up her throat. She swallowed, forcing it down along with the anguish that flooded through her.

“Do you mean my marriage?”

His eyes held the answer as they filled with sorrow, but he nodded anyway.

“I knew he was somehow familiar, but I still just can’t place where I could have seen him. It’s like he’s just not quite right.”

“It was probably his brother you’re remembering. I haven’t seen the man, but presumably they share some resemblance. He’s an actual vicar and is the one who has been performing these sham weddings.”

He was right. It was the vicar. She hadn’t really paid that much attention to him at the time, she’d been fixated on Greg, but now she could remember him. Fear and anger knotted inside her belly. “Do you mean there are others like me?”

“I’m afraid so.”

She was scared to ask, but she needed to know. “How many others?”

“We don’t know yet, but this has been going on for years, so it won’t be only a few.”

Tears ran, unbidden, from her eyes. She wasn’t entirely sure why she was crying. Was it pain knowing that other women had been through what she had? Or relief that she wasn’t alone?

“I’m so sorry, Gwen. If I had been here to take care of my responsibilities rather than running off to build my ridiculous raven empire, perhaps I could have prevented all of it.” He rolled so he could wrap both of his arms around her.

After a moment, she slowly pushed him back so she could look into his eyes. “If you had been here, Ash, who would have rescued me from the streets in the first place? What other man would have allowed me to pick his pockets, and then rather than seeing me punished for the deed, given me warmth, food, shelter, and a soft place to lay my head?”

He closed his eyes for a moment before a small, tentative smile grew on his lips. “You were the cutest little pickpocket, though.”

Gwen pressed herself back into his embrace. Life had been so difficult before she’d met him that day. When her father died, all he’d left her with was debt. She’d quickly found herself on the streets, and somehow, she’d been successful enough at picking pockets that she’d never had to resort to selling her body. And then, that day, she’d seen Ash. Immaculately pressed and groomed, dressed in his usual black from head to toe, sunlight gleaming off his perfectly shined shoes. His raven topped cane swung as he walked and a ring adorned his little finger. On that particular day, she’d had no idea who he was, but she’d seen him look at an expensive watch, and slip it into his pocket. That was what she was going to take, and she had thought she’d succeeded, until he’d whirled around and snatched her wrist.

“That ridiculous raven empire saved my life. It is your legacy, Ash. I know this is your title and your lineage, but it isn’t all that you are. The good you’ve done in Raven Row, the lost souls you’ve saved and the women you’ve lifted up and given an opportunity for a better life, that will live on even long after you’ve gone.”

Ash pressed a lingering kiss against her forehead. “Thank you, Gwen. That may be the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

It broke her heart that he couldn’t see what a good man he was. Although, perhaps that’s why he was so good. She obviously wasn’t going to convince him, no matter how hard she tried, so she steered the conversation back to where it had begun.

“Will others be arrested for this marriage scheme, as well? I guess what I’m really asking is, will Greg be arrested?”

“Not if I get to him first.” His voice was hard and as cold as ice. There were moments she’d glimpsed this side of him. The side that everyone in Raven Row seemed to know was there, but few had ever actually seen. If you had an ounce of sense, you didn’t cross Ash, and you certainly didn’t harm someone who was under his protection.

“Will you really kill him?” She spoke softly, a nervousness filling her belly.

“Without a moment’s hesitation.”

Gwen swallowed. “What if I don’t want you to?”

Ash leaned back, his eyes scouring her face. “I know you cared for him, Gwen, but he’s been nothing but an abuser to you. He led you straight into hell with his lies. If he had succeeded in getting you pregnant, what do you think would have happened after the baby was born?”

“I don’t know.” She’d never taken a moment to think about that. Until just a couple of days ago, he was her husband as far as she’d been concerned.

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