Page 54 of A Raven Returns

“Of course, Ash. I may do stupid things occasionally, but my loyalty will always be to you.” He began unrolling Ash’s sleeves and replaced the cufflinks. He tied his tie and buttoned his waistcoat before holding up Ash’s coat.

“I appreciate you, Fogg.” Ash slipped his arms into the garment as Alex approached with their horses. “Make sure someone stays on him. I want to know exactly when he leaves the country and where he goes.”

Fogg nodded and handed him his hat. “They won’t let him out of their sight until I tell them otherwise.”

“I need to get back to Gwen. She’ll be worried about me, I’m sure.” Taking his cane from Fogg, he climbed into the saddle and they started for home.

“Did I hear you tell her you love her?”

“Yes.” He let out a sigh. He didn’t doubt that it was true, but what was he going to do about it?

“Is she really the reason you didn’t kill the bastard?”

Ash nodded. “That’s the other thing she said to me before we left.”

Fogg chuckled softly. “I never thought I’d see the day that you, Ash, would be brought to heel by a woman.”

Ash shrugged. “Neither did I, Fogg. Neither did I.”

ChapterSeventeen

As Ash climbed down from his horse, the doorman hurried out to greet him.

“There’s a Simon Allister here to see you, boss. He’s waiting outside your office.”

“At this hour?”

The man shrugged awkwardly.

“Would you like me to let him know you’re unavailable right now?” Fogg asked.

Ash shook his head with a sigh. “No. I might as well get this over with. What I need you to do is go inside and find Gwen. I can’t have her making a scene right now. If it can be done discreetly, get her up to my chambers so I can talk to her when I’m finished. And I’m sure this goes without saying, but please don’t share any details with her.”

Fogg nodded, then he licked his thumb and rubbed it on Ash’s cheek.

Ash grimaced. “Did you just wipe saliva on me?”

Fogg shrugged. “I couldn’t very well send you in there with blood on your face, and I don’t happen to have a wash basin out here.”

Ash choked on a laugh. “Christ. Well, is there anymore?” He held his face in the light for Fogg’s inspection.

“There is, as it happens.” He wiped three more spots with his spit covered thumb.

“Jesus. How the mighty have fallen. The Earl of Ashdown out here being washed by his valet’s saliva and being demanded an audience with an uninvited guest before dawn has even broken.”

Fogg chuckled. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“For what it’s worth, Ash, he’s a good man.”

“Perhaps, but he has terrible timing. Go find Gwen. If she’s not just inside, check the stairs to my chambers. I’ll be up shortly.”

Ash gave Fogg a few minutes to deal with Gwen before he went inside. All of the other ladies were in bed, so the house was quiet.

“Mr. Allister.” He gave a nod as he approached the man standing beside his office door.

“Lord Ashdown.”

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