Page 43 of A Raven Returns

“I can’t believe it! Are you staying?” She didn’t wait for an answer before turning her sights on Ash.

“If she’s staying, she’s in my room.” She pointed a demanding finger at him.

Ash held up his hands. “Whatever you say, Daisy.”

He had such an easy way with all of the ladies here. Was it possible they could fall back into that again?

“I’m running late, so I have to dash, but it’s the last door on the left. Make yourself at home.” She gave Gwen another quick hug and bussed her cheek before disappearing up the stairs.

At least she had been greeted by a friendly face. Daisy was such a lovely person. It was a surprise to see her still here, but a welcome one. Gwen would be happy to share a room with her.

“I thought I heard a commotion out here.” A woman entered the main area from the hall that housed all of the ladies’ chambers.

“Ah, Sarah. Gwen, this is Sarah. I told you about her on the train. Sarah, this is Gwen. She’s not new here, but she has been away for about eighteen months or so. Will you please help her to settle in? Daisy has demanded that she stay with her.”

Sarah’s smile was warm and welcoming. “Of course I will, Ash. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

Sarah escorted her to Daisy’s room and fretted over her for at least a quarter hour before Gwen finally managed to convince her that she was fine and not in need of anything. The moment the door closed behind Sarah and Gwen was finally alone, her smile fell. The dam that had been holding back her burgeoning emotions all day, suddenly gave way. And as if it had been the only thing keeping her upright, her legs crumpled with it and she collapsed to the floor as sobs broke from her. A tidal wave of grief washed over her.

Her heart ached with a kind of pain she didn’t even know existed. How was she possibly going to survive this?

* * *

Ash breathed in deeply as the smells and sounds of the Raven’s Den welcomed him home. A cacophony of noise and the aroma of all that accompanied it. Booze, cards, tobacco smoke, clay chips, he could smell them all. For most people, it would be an assault to the senses, but for Ash, it was home.

Michael stood on the balcony watching over the gaming floor below. “I’m gone less than a week and already you have ladies running late for their shifts?”

Michael swung around, his face bright with surprise and delight. “Ash! We didn’t expect you back so soon.”

As he moved closer, Michael’s delight faltered. “Jesus, man. Is everything alright?”

Ash nodded. “Everything is taken care of. I’m glad to be home.”

Michael’s eyebrows rose inquiringly. “That’s it?”

Ash chuckled. “I’m tired and there’s a lot to tell. I’d rather only do it once, at tomorrow’s meeting. I just came over to make sure the club was still standing. It looks like you have it well in hand.”

“Of course we do. Now go get some sleep. You look like you’ve just risen from the dead.”

Ash could barely even laugh at the remark. “I imagine I do.”

“Get some rest, Ash. I want you well enough to give a full account tomorrow.”

“You might be sorry you asked for it.” He gave Michael a half-hearted salute with his cane and headed back the way he’d come in.

Fogg was standing in his bedroom when he entered a few minutes later. “You’re a welcome sight. I wasn’t sure if you’d be here tonight, but thank God you are. I’m not sure I have the energy to even undress myself.”

“Of course I’m here.”

“I didn’t think you’d know I was coming home tonight.”

“Knowing where you are is the most important part of my job, Ash.”

“I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve the amazing people I have around me, but I am grateful to all of you.”

“Well, to the rest of us, it’s obvious you’re deserving. Now, let’s get you ready for bed. You look like you’re ready to drop where you stand.”

“Any news?” Ash asked, as Fogg helped him to undress.

---