Page 13 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

Chapter Seven

M adelene closed her door, shocked by the cold surface when she leaned back against it.

She’d been so lost in her own euphoria, she’d forgotten she was naked.

A smile still turned up her lips as she slipped her nightgown over her head.

She’d always believed being wicked was a bad thing.

But how could it be when it felt like that ?

Simon didn’t seem to think it was wicked, though. He hadn’t judged her for her desires. He’d been kind and gentle, as he always was. He’d encouraged her without pushing her for anything more than what she asked for, and he’d made her feel things she never could have imagined.

With a wistful sigh, she climbed into bed.

Her nipples were sensitive, and she felt every breath as they rubbed against her nightgown.

She could still see his tongue flicking over them, creating irresistible sensations that had flooded her body.

Remembering it brought to life whispers of those sensations, even now.

Madelene had no idea what her future held, but one thing was certain, she would be going to Simon’s room again.

The following morning, Simon’s bedroom door was open, but he wasn’t inside. Nor was he in the kitchen. Instead, a short note sat on the table.

Madelene,

I had to go into the office early this morning and didn’t want to wake you. I’m not sure when I’ll be home, but I’ll have two meals delivered for you today, so you won’t be hungry. Bonnie will also be stopping by this afternoon. If you need anything, let one of them know.

Don’t leave the house on your own.

Simon

Trying not to be disappointed, she set to work making herself some tea.

He had responsibilities, and she could hardly fault him for that.

She couldn’t very well expect him to pause his whole life just because she was suddenly here.

She was never supposed to be here. He didn’t even owe her the note, let alone the meals he’d apparently ordered for her. There was so much kindness in him.

Only an hour passed before there was a knock at the front door. The rhythm meant it was Suzy.

“Good morning,” she said as she bustled in. “Simon wasn’t sure when you’d be hungry, so I came early and brought an assortment for you to eat when you feel like it.”

Madelene watched as she unpacked scones, a pot of jam, cheese, part of a loaf of bread, and some cold chicken.

“Surely that’s not all for me.”

“Surely it is. And you’d best eat it. I don’t want Simon to accuse me of not feeding you well enough.”

Madelene nodded. She certainly didn’t want to offend Suzy, or Simon for that matter. This was all just so foreign to her. “Thank you.”

“I have a few minutes before I have to get back. Why don’t you pour us some of that tea you’ve made, and we can chat while you start on that.” She waved toward the food.

“I should make a fresh pot. This one’s gone cold, I’m afraid.”

Suzy waved a hand. “Not to worry. I’m so used to not getting to my tea until it’s cold, I almost prefer it that way now.”

Madelene poured her a cup and they settled at the table. She nibbled on the chicken and cheese. She’d save the sweet jam and scones for later.

“How long will you be staying?” Suzy asked.

Madelene thought about her answer as she finished chewing. “I don’t know.”

“Simon doesn’t often keep company, other than his sister who was here for a while. I’m guessing you’re not another sister.”

Madelene shook her head and laughed. They couldn’t look much more different. “We’re not related.”

“I’m sorry. It’s none of my business, I suppose. Sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me and I forget my manners.”

“You needn’t be sorry. The truth is, I don’t know why exactly I’m here or how long I’ll be staying.” She really didn’t want to tell people Simon found her in an asylum.

Suzy’s brow furrowed. “You’re not here against your will, are you?”

“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. She may not have chosen to come here, but now that she was, she certainly didn’t wish to leave. “Simon got me out of an unpleasant situation.”

Suzy nodded. “Simon’s a good lad.”

Madelene laughed.

“I know he’s a man grown, but to me he’s young. A bit like a nephew, I suppose. He comes in regularly just to check on me, and in turn, I make sure he’s eating well.”

It warmed Madelene’s heart. “I get the feeling he spends a lot of time looking after others, so I’m glad to hear someone is looking after him too.”

“Well,” Suzy said with a sigh, “I’d best be on my way. I have a lot of hungry men to feed in the middle of the day.”

“Thank you, Suzy. I appreciate the food and your company.”

“I’ll be back this evening with something warm. Be sure to lock the door behind me.”

Three hours later, Madelene closed her book with a sigh.

For some reason, time seemed to be passing at a snail’s pace ever since Suzy left.

She’d sat down to read multiple times, but all her mind could think about was Simon and the incredible things that had happened between them the previous night.

The pleasure she’d found had been astonishing, but watching him bring himself pleasure had been an experience all its own.

She could still see his eyes closed, his jaw clenched, the muscles working in his arm and chest, sweat glistening as the lamplight poured over his skin.

Then, he’d apologized for something that had been nothing short of magnificent.

Was he embarrassed that she’d witnessed it?

She only hoped she’d be able to experience it again.

Perhaps next time he’d remove the towel.

Maybe he’d even let her touch him. He had said yes, after all.

The sound of the front door closing startled her. Was he home? A flutter of anticipation rippled through her stomach. She brushed the wrinkles from her skirt and patted her hair before making her way downstairs.

Bonnie was in the sitting room, flicking a feather duster over the surfaces. She smiled at Madelene as she entered but then laughed under her breath.

“You don’t need to look so disappointed.”

Had she? She hadn’t meant for it to show on her face.

Bonnie shook her head and laughed again. “And you don’t need to be worried. I haven’t come to accost you this time.” She set the duster down and plumped the pillows on the sofa.

“Perhaps I should help you.” Madelene suddenly felt useless standing there while Bonnie was cleaning.

“Simon is very particular, so I’d rather you didn’t. But I wouldn’t mind the company while I work.”

Madelene nodded. “How long have you known Simon?”

She stopped and tilted her head in thought. “Five or six years?”

“How did the two of you meet?”

“You make it sound as if we’re courting.” Bonnie laughed. “I used to work for Suzy, so when he asked her where to find a housekeeper, she recommended me.”

“When you say he’s very particular, what do you mean exactly?”

“Surely you’ve noticed. He likes every detail to be just so. Everything has its place.”

She nodded. She had noticed, of course. It seemed contradictory to the experiences she’d had with him, though. Their kisses, his offer to show her pleasure, what had happened last night, it was all so spontaneous. None of it was neat or tidy or planned out.

“What happens if you don’t do things the way he likes?”

“He doesn’t get angry, if that’s what you’re wondering. It's pretty hard to make Simon angry. He has more control over his emotions and his reactions than anyone I’ve ever met.”

Once again, that was not the Simon she knew. Last night he’d even said he couldn’t help himself. She had seen him controlled, even in his anger. When he’d confronted that man who had touched her, he hadn’t raised his voice, neither had he when he’d threatened the men in the asylum.

But even in the very beginning, when he’d kissed her in the carriage, he’d had to push himself away from her and look out the window as if he was afraid of losing control. A small voice asked if it might be the evil inside of her that gave her power over him.

“Have you ever seen him angry?” Madelene asked.

Bonnie stopped and lowered the duster with a reluctant nod. “I’ve made him angry before. Just once.”

“What did you do?” Madelene leaned in slightly, waiting to hear the story.

“It’s not very exciting I’m afraid. I entered his study.

” She shrugged. “I only went in there to dust. After a month of cleaning the rest of his house, I thought I was doing him a favor. He probably wouldn’t have even cared if I’d asked for his permission, or at least hadn’t lied about it.

But when he asked me if I’d gone in there against his wishes, I panicked and denied it. ”

Madelene hung on every word, her heart racing. “What did he do?”

Bonnie looked at her and burst out laughing. “He didn’t beat me, Madelene. He’s not a violent man. Not with people like you and me, at least.”

Madelene nodded, breathing a sigh of relief that she hadn’t been wrong about him.

“He did sack me, though. Quietly. He never raised his voice. In fact, I’ve never heard him raise his voice. But it didn’t matter that he spoke quietly. When he told me I was no longer welcome in his home, I knew better than to argue. I simply gathered my things and left without a word.”

Madelene waited for more, but it didn't come. “And?” she finally asked.

“And what?”

“How are you here now?”

“That took a lot of work. First I came back and confessed and apologized. And then Suzy told me to come back again. She said he was a good man with a kind heart, and he needed my company.” She shrugged.

“So the next time I showed up, I offered to only clean while he was here to supervise, and I even offered to do it at no charge until he felt like he could trust me again. After a while, he did grow to trust me, and a friendship of sorts developed between us.”

“Is that when he taught you how to use a knife?”

Bonnie laughed. “Eventually. He used to be around a lot more often. He didn’t work so much before his sister came here.”

“Where is she now?”

“I don’t know,” Bonnie said with a shrug. “And I shouldn’t talk about that. It isn’t my story to share.”

As much as she wanted to hear whatever that story was, she wouldn’t press Bonnie to break Simon’s confidence. “Do you clean other people’s homes?” she asked, instead.

Bonnie reached for her broom and began sweeping.

“Yes. Simon pays me well for my services, but it’s certainly not enough to survive on.

He’s tidy, though, so his house is easy.

And he’s good company when he’s around. Not to mention, he’s easy on the eyes.

” She winked, then gathered her things and headed upstairs.

She wasn’t wrong. Simon was nice to look at, but for Madelene, it was the way he looked at her . He knew who she was and where she’d come from and had witnessed her at her very worst. But somehow, he saw her not as a child, or an inconvenience, or evil.

He saw her as a woman.

* * *

Try as he might, Simon hadn’t been able to focus on his work all day. The only thing he could see was Madelene’s gloriously naked body undulating, sliding herself over his fingers to find her pleasure. Repeatedly, he’d had to shake himself out of the erotic daydreams.

Timms entered his office with a sigh. “Have you received anything new about Warwick today?”

Simon shook his head. “The day something comes across my desk to lead us to that bastard vicar, you’ll know. You’ll hear my elation, even if you’re on the other side of the building.” He wanted nothing more than to kill the man, but would settle for arresting him if they could bloody well find him.

“It feels like we’re chasing a ghost.” Timms shook his head and walked back out of Simon’s office.

Simon did eventually manage to get through his most important paperwork.

He also discovered Madelene’s mother’s maiden name was Sharma.

Perhaps a relative of her mother’s would be willing to take her in without informing her father.

Unfortunately, every one he’d found a record of so far was still in India.

This was not going to be nearly as easy as he would have hoped.

There was no point in staying any longer tonight.

His lust-fueled appetites begged him to go home to her.

He hoped more than anything that she’d come to him again tonight, even if his conscience still told him it was wrong.

It wasn’t that he was taking advantage of her, but he feared it would be more than her body she gave.

If she offered her heart, he would only break it.

He was not the kind of man who should be a husband.

Especially not for someone as sweet-natured as Madelene.

He donned his coat and started for home, knowing full well, if she came to him and asked for more, he wouldn’t say no.