Page 3 of A Raven Revived

“I don’t know who you’re referring to,” she stammered desperately as she tried to pull herself free of his grip. She knew, of course. She knew who he was, as well. Gerard Fitzwilliam. Youngest brother of the powerful man she’d jilted. Although, to her, he’d always been just Fitz.

His eyes narrowed and he shook his head. “I’d recognize you anywhere.”

She’d run from that life three years ago, intent on never looking back. “Gerard, please. You never saw me.”

His brow furrowed with confusion, but before he could say anything else, he was slammed back against the wall. Isaac, Belle’s bodyguard. She’d forgotten he was even with them. Daisy started to run, but Isaac shouted at her.

“Stay!”

Fitz used the brief distraction to get loose.

“Damn it!” Isaac cursed as the man sprinted away. He turned quickly back to Daisy. “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, saying nothing for a few moments. “He didn’t hurt me,” she managed eventually. Her entire body was beginning to tremble. How was he here? How had he found her? What was she going to do?

Daisy was shuffled along as Isaac herded the three women together and ushered them in the direction of Raven House. Panic pushed her heart to beat ever harder. Her head whipped from side to side. She needed to hide, to get away. She couldn’t stay here now that her family would know where to find her. Isaac’s hand suddenly wrapped around her upper arm.

“Don’t wander off. We’re going back to Raven House.”

She shook her head frantically. “I can’t. I need to go. I have to run.”

She tried to do just that, but when she attempted to pull out of Isaac’s grip, he shook his head with a sigh and scooped her up, throwing her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

“You two, move, now,” he said to Belle and Rosie in a tone that brooked no argument.

Daisy stopped fighting, her mind suddenly focusing on strange things that didn’t really matter. What did one do with one’s arms when slung over the shoulder of a man? Letting them dangle didn’t seem right. She couldn’t really fold them. Ultimately, she opted for wrapping them around his chest. At least that kept her from flopping about so much.

Soon, they were at the gates of Raven House, and Isaac was giving instructions to the doormen before carrying her inside. She shouldn’t have come back here. If Fitz had seen or followed, she would no longer be safe.

Isaac slowly placed her on her feet, holding her shoulders to keep her steady. It was as if her ears had quit working. Belle and Rosie fretted about her, but she couldn’t understand what they were saying. She just kept shaking her head. This couldn’t be happening. They couldn’t have found her here.

Her father would come for her. He’d force her to acquiesce to the marriage contract. Or worse. She sprinted for the door, but Isaac’s arm wrapped around her waist.

“I’m sorry, but you have to stay here for now.”

There was a loud thundering noise, which turned out to be Ash, Patrick, Michael, and Giles all galloping down the stairs. They’d come from their weekly meeting at The Raven’s Den, and immediately surrounded her. Ash placed his hands gently on her shoulders and stared into her eyes, forcing her to focus.

“Are you alright?” His voice was soothing and her heart gradually began to slow its breakneck rhythm.

Eventually, she nodded. Nothing had even happened, and yet all of these men had rushed to her aid, not hesitating to make her their first priority. She’d stumbled into this place three years ago, and with almost no questions, they had all simply taken her in as one of their own and kept her safe. They’d given her a place to live, food, clothing, and a job she loved, as a Lady Raven. She didn’t want to leave this. But she’d have to now. Tears began to well in her eyes.

Ash continued to gaze down at her. “What do you need right now, Daisy?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, a single tear escaping from the corner. She didn’t want to face any of this, but she didn’t have a choice. Her past had caught up with her whether she wanted to deal with it or not. Eventually, she met Ash’s gaze once more. “Can we speak privately? Just the two of us?”

He nodded without hesitation. “Of course.” As he ushered her away from everyone else, she could feel their eyes on her back as she entered his office. They undoubtedly continued to stare, even after the door had closed behind her. Ash made sure she was settled before seating himself on the opposite side of the desk.

“I’m sorry, Ash. I didn’t mean to create such a stir.”

“You haven’t done anything wrong, Daisy. Just tell me what happened.”

“The truth is, nothing really happened.”

Ash’s mouth drew into a thin line. “I’m not completely daft, Daisy. You looked ready to faint by the time I arrived.”

Daisy let out a long sigh and looked down at her hands in her lap. “I suppose what I meant was, he didn’t do anything to me.” She raised her eyes to meet Ash’s. “I had hoped to never have to do this. I wish I could stay just Daisy forever.” She nibbled nervously on the inside of her cheek. “But somehow I always knew this day would come, or at least, I feared it would. My name isn’t Daisy. My real name is Lady Jane Daisy Kemp, and that man recognized me.” Just saying the words was a struggle. She didn’t want any of it to be real.

“Well, I suppose you’d better tell me how you came to be here, then, Daisy.”

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