Page 35 of A Raven Revived

Fitz will take care of me. He kept hearing it over and over again in his mind as he walked. It was endearing, but also daunting. She was trusting him with her welfare, yet he had no special qualifications. He did love her, though, and would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe and happy.

He sat across from Anderson at what had become their usual table.

“Well that was a short trip, but you’ll be glad to know you are now the proud owner of a townhouse here in Raven Row.”

“It’s a good thing, because I’m also engaged.”

His mouth turned up in an approving smile and he raised his glass. “Congratulations, my friend. It’s been a long time coming.”

Fitz nodded. “It’s unfortunate I didn’t get it right four years ago, but I suppose I can’t change that now.”

“Nah,” he said with a shake of his head. “You’ll appreciate it more now than you ever could have before.”

Fitz nodded and took a sip from the drink that had been deposited on the table for him. “You’re not wrong about that, but I’m a lucky man to have ever found her again, Anderson.”

“Perhaps it was meant to be.” He shrugged. “So now what? How are you going to deal with your families?”

“We’re going to leave in the morning and visit both mine and hers. I expect my family will at least be polite about the whole thing. Her father, on the other hand, will not be happy to see me. I doubt he’ll even be happy to see her, if I’m honest. And he certainly won’t approve of her marrying me.”

“I doubt I can be of much help, but I’m happy to come along if you’d like my support.”

“Although I’m grateful for the offer, I’m sure we’ll be just fine. Her father might dislike me, but it’s not as if he’s a dangerous criminal. I expect we’ll only be gone a day or two. I asked Ash to furnish that townhouse. Will you check on that while I’m gone and make sure he gets paid?”

His eyes widened a bit and he swallowed.

Fitz chuckled. “He’s not as scary as you think. You’ll be fine.”

The next day, as the carriage rolled up the drive to his family’s estate, Fitz took Daisy’s hands in his. They were cold and trembled slightly.

“We’ll get through this,” he whispered in her ear.

She smiled and pressed her lips against his. “I know we will.”

They hadn’t given either family advanced notice of their arrival. Announcing that he was betrothed to a woman they all thought dead didn’t seem like the kind of thing that was appropriate for a telegram.

His brother happened to be coming down the main staircase when they walked through the entrance hall.

“Gerry! It’s good to see you, brother.” He strode toward him, but when Daisy stepped into view, his feet instantly stopped moving and his mouth fell open. He was speechless for a moment before he eventually closed his mouth and swallowed. Under the circumstances, it was a fairly reserved reaction.

“Lady Jane.” His voice was quiet.

She gave him a small smile and a curtsey. “Lord Redmore.”

He shook himself and bowed before looking back to Fitz. “You found her?”

He nodded slightly. “Perhaps the three of us could sit with a drink and talk?”

That seemed to remind his brother of his manners. “Of—of course. Apologies.” He gestured for them to precede him to the drawing room.

He poured two glasses of brandy and one of sherry, and they all sat. Fitz beside Daisy on the sofa and Geoffrey in a chair. An awkward silence fell as they all sipped their drinks. Fitz wasn’t sure exactly where to start. His brother’s eyes flicked repeatedly to Daisy, perhaps assuring himself that she really was there.

Even when he did finally speak, he sounded a bit hesitant. “I’m so glad to see that you’re well, or at least, you look well.”

“I am well.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I believe I owe you an apology for leaving the way I did.” Fitz didn’t like hearing her offer his brother an apology.

Geoffrey tapped his finger against the side of his glass and blew out a breath. “No you don’t. It may be horribly selfish to say, but I’m grateful you had the courage to do what needed to be done. I certainly didn’t.” He took a sip of his brandy. “What I have with Melinda is a love match, and I just don’t think you and I…” He trailed off and Daisy shook her head.

“We could never have had that.” She shrugged. “I was always in love with your brother.” Hearing the words warmed his heart. She reached out to him and he gladly took hold of her hand.

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