Page 28 of A Raven Returns

Ash’s expression clouded with anger. “He would have stolen your child and abandoned you.”

Nausea roiled in her stomach. How could she have been so naive? How could she have fallen for his falsehoods and his fake charm?

Ash’s warm hand brushed soothingly along her arm. “I will see that he’s punished for all the pain he caused you, Gwen. I promise.”

“But he’s not the reason I don’t want you to kill him, Ash. It’s you.”

His brows lowered in confusion. “You don’t need to worry, Gwen. He won’t hurt me. I’ve handled worse than him.”

“But what of your soul?”

His answering laughter was filled with cynicism. “My soul is long past hope of redemption.”

“Don’t say that.”

He ignored her plea and instead pressed another kiss against her forehead. “I need to get up and face the day, but you are welcome to laze around in my bed for a while longer if you’d like.”

“Do you have to leave right away again?”

“I have a few things to take care of, but I won’t be away all day today.”

“Is there any chance there’s a library in this house? A book would really help with the boredom.”

“There most certainly is, and a grand one at that.”

“Do you mind if I have a look around in there?”

“You’re not a prisoner here, Gwen. You are free to do whatever you’d like.”

* * *

Christ. Ash was in trouble. He sat at the desk in his study, staring down at paperwork but not really seeing it. All he could see was Gwen. He needed to finish up here and get back to Raven Row where everything could return to normal.

It wasn’t even just Gwen, everything in his life seemed to be changing. He seemed to be changing. Sleeping with Gwen in his arms and pleasuring her in his lap.

So much for his rules.

Showing his scars to Trent, a virtual stranger. No one ever saw his scars, aside from his valet. Even Patrick and Michael had only ever seen glimpses of them. But he hadn’t wanted Trent to be under any illusions that their father might have been a good man. He needed to know the truth. And then there was Fogg. Ash still wasn’t sure what he was going to do with him. He’d gone back to arrange Warwick’s arrest, which was for the better. Ash needed to put some other things to rest before he could decide Fogg’s fate. Benson had been taking excellent care of him, although he still looked a bit haunted every time he saw Ash’s back. He just couldn’t see Benson at Raven House, though. He belonged in a country estate.

Just then, Fogg appeared in the doorway of his study looking unusually trepidatious.

“They’re here to take Warwick.”

Ash nodded, and slid the paperwork he was looking at into the right hand drawer. He followed Fogg from the room.

“Do they know about Gwen?”

Fogg shook his head. “I removed her name, and his, from the list I gave them. I assumed you’d want to deal with him yourself and that you wouldn't want Gwen’s name dragged into this mess.”

Ash nodded. “Thank you.” This was why he didn’t know what to do with Fogg. He’d never been anything but loyal. If any other servant had laid hands on him, they’d have been gone, immediately, but Fogg was more than just his valet.

Ash greeted the officers and then watched in disgust as they escorted Warwick through the entrance hall. He was still going on about how he hadn’t done anything and that maid was a whore, until they explained that he was actually being arrested for facilitating fraudulent marriages. His eyes bulged at the words and he finally went quiet as they led him out the front door.

One man stayed behind and came to stand beside Fogg.

“My lord, this is Simon Allister, the man who’s been leading the investigation into Warwick and his associates.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. I am in your debt for helping to bring this all together and for detaining the main perpetrator so that we could simply come and collect him.”

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