Page 23 of A Raven Revived

What was happening? She hadn’t come up here as a guest, but they certainly weren't treating her like a servant. Benson escorted her in through the front door, but she didn’t have time to question it.

A familiar man trotted down the stairs into the entrance hall. “Daisy, welcome. I apologize I wasn’t already here to greet you. I was just putting Maggie to bed.”

Trent was Ash’s half-brother. He was younger than him, but was otherwise just a lighter version of Ash, with his dark brown hair and charcoal suit, rather than black. He had the same build and the same darkness that lingered just behind the kindness in his eyes.

“It’s good to see you again, Trent.” They’d met briefly at Ash’s wedding, not long ago.

“Allow me to show you to your room.”

She followed him up the stairs he’d just descended and down a long hallway. He stopped at a door and gestured for her to enter. This was a guest room. It was time to ask some questions.

“This is not a servant’s room, Trent.”

“Not typically, no, but.” He held up a hand when she was about to argue. Even his mannerisms reminded her of Ash. “You’re to help oversee Maggie’s care when needed. Therefore, I thought it would be best if you were next door to her room.”

“She doesn’t stay in the nursery?”

He shook his head. “No, I like to have her close at night, so I can keep an eye on her.”

Keep an eye on her. Daisy sighed. Now she understood why no one was treating her like a servant. There never had been an open position at Woodburn Hall. Ash had just sent her here because he knew Trent would keep an eye on her, just like he did his little sister, Maggie.

* * *

Fitz couldn’t stop smiling as he walked around the empty townhouse with his solicitor. This place was everything he’d hoped for, and he kept imagining Daisy there with him. Of course, for her to be there with him, they’d have to marry, which somehow, he was suddenly ready for. It just felt right. It always had though, even when he’d been a bloody idiot and left her to marry his brother. If he was lucky, she might eventually want to be his wife. The truth was, even if she didn’t marry him, at least this townhouse would allow him to stay in Raven Row and be near her but still get him out of that inn, with all of its noises and its hard bed. This time, he wasn’t just going to run off and leave her. He was going to do what he should have done before. He was going to commit to Daisy. He was going to wait for her and fight for her. He was going to do whatever was necessary to be in her life, however she would have him.

“I’ll take it.” He nodded, taking a last look around what would be the drawing room. “Pay them whatever they’re asking.”

Anderson furrowed his brow. “Are you sure? It’s likely they will be willing to negotiate.”

He nodded. “I’m sure.” Negotiations would only slow it down.

That night was just like each of the nights since Daisy had appeared at his door, drunk, smiling, and irresistibly beautiful. Every time he tried to sleep, all he could imagine was her at the head of the bed, bringing herself pleasure. He’d never experienced anything so erotic in all his life. This night, just like all the others since then, he’d had to take himself in hand. He’d managed to satisfy his lust, but his mind was still awhirl with thoughts of her. It had only become more complicated now that he realized his heart wanted her as much as his randy cock.

What was he going to do about it? Have patience, that’s what. He couldn’t very well profess his love on a bloody slate outside her window. Even he was better than that. Perhaps he could come up with some kind of grand gesture for after her confinement.

In the meantime, he’d just have to be patient.

The following afternoon, when Fitz arrived at Raven House to pay a visit to Daisy’s window, the brute of a security guard stopped him with a sharp whistle and waved him over.

“Ash wants to see you.” He held open the gate, and with a sigh, Fitz walked through.

What now? The doorman opened the main door without questioning him, and he made his way to Ash’s office. He had his back to the door, filing away some paperwork. He turned and greeted Fitz with a sigh rather than a smile. That couldn’t be a good sign.

“What have I done now?” Fitz asked as he entered.

“Close the door, please.”

He did, and when he turned back, Ash was holding Daisy’s slate out for him.

“You can't be serious. It's ten minutes a day, for God's sake. It's not hurting anything.”

“I didn't take it away from her. Look at it.”

On it was his riddle and written underneath was the answer: shadow. But then, down in the corner there was more.

Goodbye Fitz

“What does it mean?” he asked desperately.

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