Page 39 of A Raven Revived

Daisy laughed. “With a slate?”

He nodded. “My daisy chalk drawings were becoming quite masterful.”

“They were.” How was it possible to love someone so much? “Go home and spend some time with your family.”

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Alright. I’ll be back first thing in the morning.” He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, then squeezed her hands before walking out the door.

Just one night. She only had to endure one night with her father. She’d managed a lifetime with him, surely she could get through one more night.

As she turned back to the drawing room, she saw her father slipping up the stairs toward his study. Apparently, he had business to attend to that was more urgent than the sudden reappearance of his daughter. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to endure his presence after all.

“Thank you.” Her mother placed a hand on her cheek again when she returned to the drawing room. “It makes me so happy to have you home, Jane.”

It was still strange to hear that name. She hadn’t been addressed by it in a very long time. Daisy was her name now. It was who she was.

“I’m sorry, Mother. My intention wasn’t to hurt you.”

“I know.” She nodded. “Where have you been all this time?”

“In London,” Daisy said with a shrug.

“Why did you leave?”

Daisy blanched. Why did no one seem to know the answer to that? “I didn’t make any secret of the fact that I did not wish to marry Geoffrey. Father threatened to have me committed if I didn’t. What else was I supposed to do?”

Sadness seemed to fill her mother’s entire being. “I’m sorry, Jane.”

“It doesn’t matter now. I’ll be wed soon enough to someone who truly cares for me.”

“I’m happy for you.”

Her father appeared in the doorway. It would seem he wasn’t going to spend the evening in his study, after all. “Am I to dine alone?” he said grumpily. “Or will the two of you be joining me?”

“Of course,” her mother said quickly. “We’re coming.” She hurried to his side, leaving Daisy to follow behind.

It wasn’t how a marriage should be. Fitz would never treat her so abhorrently. Quite the opposite. He was so sweet, always doing little things to make her smile. He always had. From the time he’d learned her middle name was Daisy, he’d rarely shown up without one to give her. He would never be like her father.

* * *

Fitz really didn’t like leaving Daisy there alone, but perhaps her father would be more welcoming to her if he wasn’t around. She’d been so brave, standing her ground and not showing any weakness. In many ways she was stronger than him. Pride blossomed in his chest thinking about it.

He was the luckiest man alive to be marrying her after all that had kept them apart. The words she’d used when she’d accepted him played through his mind.Of course I’ll marry you, you muttonheaded half-wit. He laughed at the memory as he walked through the front door of his family’s estate. He was a muttonheaded half-wit, for ever letting her go.

Everyone was already seated around the table when he entered the dining room.

“Apologies for my tardiness. I hope I’m still welcome.”

“Of course you are,” his brother said jovially. A footman hurried to set him a place and pulled out a chair, which he settled into.

“Well,” his mother said, beaming at him. “If that smile on your face was put there by your betrothed, then I will certainly give my blessing to the match, even if it is a bit unconventional.”

His cheeks warmed slightly as he placed his napkin in his lap. “It was most assuredly put there by thoughts of her. Unfortunately, she will not be joining us. She’s staying with her parents tonight.”

“They must be overjoyed to see her safe and well.”

“Sadly, that is not the sentiment with which we were greeted.” He shrugged. “I’m very glad that she will be welcomed here, at least.”

“Where has she been all this time?” his mother asked.

---