Page 25 of A Raven Revived

“Good morning, Daisy,” Trent said with a smile when she entered the dining room. His eyes swept over her face, and his smile faltered just a bit. He hadn’t missed the evidence of her crying.

“Good morning, Daisy!” The adorable little girl wiggled in the chair beside his, her eyes bright and her mouth wide in a vibrant smile. It was enough to warm anyone’s heart, even her own.

“Good morning to you, Maggie.” She returned the young girl’s smile and sat in the chair that had been pulled out for her across from them. “And you, Trent.” She was going to have to talk to him. This was not how staff was treated.

Just then a woman appeared in the doorway, and Maggie stood up on her chair. “Careful,” Trent warned. “You don’t want to fall.” He picked her up under her arms and set her down on the floor where she ran to the woman who must be her nanny. Another reminder that Daisy didn’t actually have a role here and was completely superfluous.

“I hope you slept well,” Trent said after Maggie was gone.

Daisy nodded. She hadn’t, of course, but she didn’t want to complain. “I appreciate all of the kindness from you and Ash, but this isn’t what I was expecting when I asked Ash to send me here. He said there was a position for me, and there clearly isn’t.”

He nodded and took a sip of tea, seeming to consider his response. “I don’t believe he’s concerned about that. He made it very clear that you are welcome here.”

“Of course he did.” She let out a long sigh. He had always been good to her, and over the three years she’d been under his care, they’d grown close. “When I asked him to send me here, I hadn’t really considered that I’d be leaving him too.”

“Are you two very close then?”

Daisy chuckled. “Not inthatway. I love him like a brother. Or, at least, what I imagine that’s like. I’ve never had an actual brother. He’s sweet and protective, and he teases me, but there’s nothing romantic between us.” Nothing like what she felt with Fitz. “He took me in without any question of my worthiness or my background. He just saved me… like he does.” Like he was doing now, sending her here where he knew she’d be safe and cared for.

“You can always go back, Daisy. He made that clear, as well.”

Not if Fitz was there. How could she ever possibly face him again? “Is there some way I can make myself useful here, Trent? I really don’t want to step on the nanny’s toes.”

His smile was kind and understanding. “Would you like to ride out with me today? I have to visit three tenants and follow up on repairs.”

“Will that be useful?”

He shrugged. “It would be nice to have some company, and I think the sunshine will do you good.”

He wasn’t wrong about that. The sunshine felt wondrous on her skin, and she hadn’t been on a horse in ages. It was exhilarating.

After they finished with the last tenant, Trent galloped ahead of her and turned back. He was so much like Ash. Somehow he just knew exactly what she needed, and was happy to provide.

“Come on, slowpoke. What are you waiting for?”

He kicked his horse into motion, and she followed suit. She urged the magnificent animal faster and faster. The wind whipped the hat off her head, and she laughed as her hair pulled free of its pins. It may have been a while, but she’d been a good horsewoman before she’d left her home. Pushing the mare even faster, she slowly gained on Trent, and in the final stretch to the stables, she caught him.

“Ha!” she called as she pulled ahead of him.

Perhaps he’d let her win, but either way, it felt good. She was gasping for breath as a groom helped her down from the saddle.

“Good work,” she said as she rubbed the horse’s muzzle affectionately.

Trent’s smile was as wide as hers when he approached. “I don’t often have someone to race with. Especially someone who is actually a challenge.”

She laughed, joy still radiating through her. “I lost my hat.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent someone after it.”

“You’re so much like your brother. Do you know that?”

His smile turned a bit shy, and he brushed some dirt from his sleeve as they walked toward the house. “I take that as a great compliment.”

“You should.”

* * *

Fitz took the first train the following morning. Ash’s estate was about as far north as you could go and still be in England, and the journey felt like an eternity. By the time the hired hack pulled up in front of Woodburn Hall, the day was more than half over. He instructed the driver to wait and walked up to the front door.

---