Page 45 of A Raven Returns

Rosie looked taken aback. “Is Ash back?”

Gwen nodded. “We got here last night.”

“And why do you not want him to know you’ve been crying? You realize he’s seen all of us crying, don’t you?”

“Us? Were you a Lady Raven?”

Rosie’s smile returned. “Not exactly, but I did live here for a short time. Why don’t I tell you my story while you drink this.” She handed the tea back to Gwen. “And then, you can share yours.”

Gwen closed her eyes at the overwhelming sweetness of the tea.

Rosie smiled. “I know, but Ella swears it’s good for soothing a troubled soul, so drink up.”

Rosie went on to tell an incredible story about Patrick saving her from a brothel, and then a whole topsy-turvy journey that followed, that included her being rescued by Ash. “So as you can imagine, Ash has seen me at my worst. He’s never judged me for a moment, and he wouldn’t judge you either.”

Gwen let out a long sigh that sounded tortured, even to her own ears. After Rosie had been so candid with everything she’d been through, it felt churlish for Gwen to refuse to share her own story. She decided to tell parts of it, but she would never reveal Ash’s secrets. They were not hers to share. She explained how Ash had found her and the fake marriage she’d been foolish enough to fall for. “Without getting into any of Ash’s personal details, I’ll just say that, even knowing I shouldn’t, I fell in love with him. If he knows that I’m hurting, he’ll blame himself, and I don’t want him to feel guilty.” Gwen ended with a slightly pathetic shrug.

Although Rosie’s eyes held obvious sympathy, there was a hint of mischief there too. “Well, you must be something special. I never thought I’d see the day that someone would break through Ash’s unyielding rules.”

“I didn’t say anything about his rules.” Had she betrayed him even though she’d tried not to?

Rosie smiled reassuringly. “You didn’t have to, dear. But don’t worry, I won’t say anything to him.”

“As you can imagine, I just don’t know quite what to do.”

“Well, for now, you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. If there's one thing I know about these stubborn men it’s that you can’t convince them to do anything. They just have to figure it out on their own. Until then, anytime you need to get away from this place for a little while, you’re more than welcome to visit me. I’m sure Belle, Michael’s wife, would love to have you, as well.”

“That’s so kind of you.”

By the time Patrick returned to collect Rosie, the evidence of Gwen’s crying had hopefully disappeared. Rosie gave her a hug. “I’ll send Belle to introduce herself. We’re not often both in town at the same time, but one of us is usually around. When you need something, just have the doorman send a note to one of us and we’ll appear.”

“You’re too kind, Rosie.”

“Don’t be silly.” She waved away the sentiment. She squeezed her hands one last time. “Take care of yourself.”

What had she meant when she’d said ‘they just have to figure it out on their own’? Figure what out? Gwen didn’t understand, but she was grateful for the conversation and for Rosie’s kindness. She had assured her multiple times that everything would be alright and things would work themselves out somehow in the end.

Now, if only Gwen could make herself believe that were true.

* * *

Ash was jarred awake by a sudden onslaught of blinding light.

“I had to come check you’re alive,” Fogg said as he threw back the other set of curtains.

Ash groaned. His head throbbed painfully. He seemed to be on his stomach, spread like a starfish across his entire bed, and he didn’t feel a stitch of clothing on his skin. He must have presented quite a sight. “Can you be a little more quiet please?” he whispered.

He heard Fogg’s intake of breath and braced for the loud noises, but none came. Ash flopped his head over on the bed and squinted up at his valet. “What did I say about walking on eggshells?”

“Rough night?” Fogg raised a brow as he appraised the scene Ash presented. Ash huffed a laugh and quickly groaned again as his head protested.

“You might say that.” He’d eventually drunk himself to sleep.

“Well, since I’m not walking on eggshells, might it be because you didn’t have a certain lady warming your bed last night?”

“That wasn’t permission for you to be impertinent.” Ash glared at the man. “I’d ask how you even know about that since you weren’t there, but somehow you always know every bloody thing.”

“It’s not exactly a secret, Ash. Your entire household at Woodburn is aware that she was in your bed every night you stayed there. The difference is, they don’t know how unusual that is for you. As far as they were concerned, she was your mistress. It would have been strange if she hadn’t been in your bed.”

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