Page 33 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

“I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, McKinnon. I was going over some choreography with Samantha and I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.”

“Not to worry, lass. I’ve nowhere else to be.”

“Allister, this is Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”

She rolled her eyes. “My name is Daisy.”

“Allister is a new addition to our team here.”

“Simon Allister?”

Simon nodded. “The very one.”

“Are you here to see your sister?”

“I am, if she has time for me.”

“Oh, she’ll be thrilled. I’ll go and collect her for you.” She turned and hurried back down the corridor, her skirts swishing.

“Will you be here to help me through my first night?” Simon asked McKinnon.

He shook his head. “Keeping Mrs. Fitzwilliam safe is my job now. But you’ll do just fine.”

A moment later, Samantha threw herself into his arms.

“It warms my heart to see you looking so well, Samantha.” There had definitely been some improvement, but still not as much as he would have liked. Still no smile.

“Are you taking me with you this time?”

Simon shook his head. “No, but I am going to be working here now, so hopefully I’ll see you often.”

Her eyes brightened. “You are?”

He nodded. “But first, I need to introduce you to someone special.” He pulled Madelene against his side. “This is Madelene, my wife.”

“Your wife?” Her brow dipped, her eyes flicking between Madelene and him. “You mean, I have a sister?”

Madelene pressed a hand to her chest and nodded, a single tear running down her cheek. “As do I.”

“Not enough hugging!” Daisy threw her arms around them both. These women would be good, not only for his sister, but for Madelene, as well.

“Would you mind if I leave you here to get to know my sister while I go over to the Den?”

“I would like nothing more, as long as you promise to come back for me.”

“Nothing could stop me.” He pressed his lips to hers in a brief kiss.

“Careful,” Daisy warned. “Fitz got told off by Ash for kissing me once.” Mischief danced in her eyes.

“I’ll try to behave myself.”

He looked at his sister. “I assume you won’t mind keeping Madelene company?”

She rolled her eyes and held out her hand for Madelene. “My room is at the very end of the hall.”

Simon sighed as they disappeared down the corridor.

Perhaps Madelene could somehow help her find her smile again.

There were a lot of similarities between the two of them.

Both timid. Both recovering from the damage inflicted upon them by men.

Hopefully they would bring each other strength and comfort.

* * *

Samantha looked like her brother. She had his coloring, but she didn’t smile, and her eyes were more grey than blue, and there was no storminess in them. Not sadness either. Just…emptiness.

“How did you meet my brother?” Samantha asked once they were settled into chairs in her room. It was a similar room to the one she’d slept in while Simon had recovered here.

Madelene thought about her answer for a moment before responding. She wasn’t sure how much Simon would want her to share. His sister deserved the truth, though.

“He rescued me.”

“Were you…?” Her fingers turned white as she gripped her hands tightly together. “Were you in a fake marriage too?”

Madelene shook her head. “I was in Auburn Ridge.”

“But.” Her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“When your brother learned the truth about the asylum, he went there to punish the men who had hurt you. But when he entered, he found me in the tub. I assume you know what that is?”

“Yes.” She looked into Madelene’s eyes. “I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

“Well, Simon wouldn’t just leave me there, so he rescued me. And not surprisingly, I fell in love with him.” Madelene shrugged.

“I’m so glad he found someone. He’s a good man, and he deserves to be loved.” Samantha smiled, but it was only a gesture. It didn’t reach her eyes. It wasn’t as if she was disingenuous, but more like she was no longer capable of happiness. No wonder Simon had been so desperate to help her.

“Will you tell me about him?”

“When I was a little girl, he was the perfect big brother. He used to carry me on his shoulders and gallop around like a horse, complete with neighing and snorting.” She closed her eyes, and the memory sent a single tear down her cheek.

“And then, when I was eight, he taught me how to ride an actual horse. He was always encouraging and protective.” She sighed.

“When I was nine, he left home and set out on his own. I didn’t see him more than once a year after that, but he’d usually bring me a birthday present when he came.

And then at sixteen, I was married, or at least I thought I was, and didn’t see anyone in my family for five years.

That’s when Simon appeared and rescued me too. ”

Other than the horse rides, everything else she talked about was completely emotionless. Madelene took hold of Samantha’s hand. “He sounds like a wonderful brother.”

“He was.” Samantha shook her head. “He is . Sometimes it feels like this is a different life from that one.”

“He thought you’d be safe at Auburn Ridge.”

“I know. He’s only ever wanted what was best for me. Is he a good husband?”

“So far, he’s better than anything I could have wished for, but we’ve only been married since yesterday.” Madelene flashed her a teasing smile, but Samantha didn’t laugh or return the smile.

“I wish I’d been there,” she said after a moment.

“He does too. We were in Scotland, and it was spontaneous and rushed. He would have invited you, Samantha. He loves you. I hope you know that.”

She nodded. “I love him too.”

“Before we were married, I was staying in your room in his townhouse. Do you want me to bring you your things? Your clothes, or your sketchbook?”

“Between Gwen, Ella, and Daisy, I have more clothes than I know what to do with. They’ve been spoiling me. I would very much appreciate my sketchbook, though.”

“I will be sure to visit again soon, and will bring it with me.” She squeezed Samantha’s hand. “In the meantime, I can’t wait to see Simon blush when I ask him to gallop around like a horse.”