Page 10 of A Raven Revived (The Raven’s Den #4)

Chapter Ten

D aisy woke to the sound of the bedroom door closing, and for a moment she just assumed it was a maid coming in to tend to the fire. But then she remembered she wasn’t in her own bed and sat bolt upright.

“It’s alright, Daisy. It’s only me.” He sat on the side of the bed and took one of her hands.

“Where have you been? The sun hasn’t even dawned yet.”

“I went to talk with Trent and assure him you’re safe.”

She dropped her forehead into her other palm. “Oh dear. I’m in trouble again, aren’t I?”

He lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers in a brief kiss. “You most certainly are not. You’re in my care now, Daisy, and will never be in trouble for coming to my room.” He winked and kissed her again.

“Trent wasn’t angry with me?”

He got up and shed his robe. “He was angry with me, not you, but I talked him around.”

“Why would he be angry with you? You didn’t even do anything.”

“Didn’t I?” He raised a brow. Her cheeks warmed at the memory of all he had done.

“You only did those things because I begged you. And you never did show me.” She flicked her gaze to his groin.

He chuckled. “I’m not going to show you now, either. It will only make me want to make love to you again, and you need time to recover. I would like to climb back into bed and hold you for a while though, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Mmmm. Yes please.” Daisy had never felt safer than she did with his strong arms wrapped around her.

That afternoon, Daisy was both nervous and excited when they entered Raven House arm in arm. Trent had agreed to wait a day before sending a telegram so they could tell Ash everything in person. But even still, he didn’t seem terribly surprised when he looked up from his desk and saw them together.

“You know the routine,” he said, waving them into his office.

Fitz closed the door behind them, and they settled themselves across from Ash.

“Well, I don’t think there’s any reason to beat around the bush,” Fitz said with a shrug. “I don’t know how I’m deserving, but Daisy has agreed to marry me.” There was such love in his eyes as he took her hand.

When she looked back at Ash, he was simply observing, a slight smile tipping up the corners of his lips.

“Congratulations. You must have done something right. We’ve already seen the lengths she’s willing to go to in order to avoid marrying someone she doesn’t wish to.”

She laughed. Even in the two days she’d been away, she’d missed his teasing.

His smile was indulgent. “Who will I tease after you’ve left us?”

“Oh, you won’t be rid of me that easily.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He got up and came around the desk, his arm out inviting her in for a hug. He squeezed her shoulders and leaned down. “It’s good to see you smiling again.”

“Thank you, Ash. I don’t know what I would have done without everything you’ve provided, but especially your kindness. You’ve become like a brother to me, so I hope I’ll always be welcome to visit.”

He squeezed her shoulders a little tighter. “You’ll always be welcome here for any reason, Daisy.”

She swallowed and lowered her voice. “Even if I tell you I went to Fitz’s room last night?” She wasn’t naive enough to think Trent wouldn’t mention it, and she'd rather Ash heard it from her.

He pressed a light kiss to the top of her head. “Always.” He squeezed her one last time and then settled himself behind his desk once more. Gratitude filled her heart. No lecture and not even a hint of judgment. “Are you staying here tonight?” he asked instead.

“Yes,” Fitz answered for her. She turned and scowled at him, but he ignored her and continued. “She will stay here tonight, and we’ll leave in the morning to go pay a visit to both of our families.”

Ash continued to look at her. “Is visiting your family what you want, Daisy?”

She nodded slowly. “It’s time for me to stop living in fear of them.”

“Is there anything I can provide that will make that easier for the two of you? Security, a chaperone, anything?”

Daisy shook her head. “Fitz will take care of me.” She took his hand again, and her heart warmed at his smile.

* * *

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.

Geoffrey turned his gaze on Fitz, his brow furrowed. “Did you always know where she was?”

“Of course I didn’t.” He looked at her profile as she watched his brother. She was a bit unsure, so he squeezed her hand. “Serendipity somehow brought us together again. And I must be the luckiest man in the world, because she has agreed to become my wife.” He lifted her hand to his lips.

He was surprised to see his brother smile at the news, but he looked genuinely happy. He stood and held out a hand.

“Congratulations,” he said as he shook Fitz’s hand. “I truly do wish you both every happiness.”

“Gerry?” Melinda stood in the doorway.

Both he and his brother froze, but not Daisy. A radiant smile grew on her face. “You must be Lady Redmore.” She didn’t wait for an introduction, simply walked over and curtseyed. “I’m Daisy.”

Finally, his brother spoke up. “Melinda, this is Lady Jane.”

Melinda’s smile faltered just slightly as understanding dawned. “Lady Jane. You’re alive?”

Daisy laughed softly. “I am. But not to worry, I haven’t come to stake a claim on your husband. I’ll be marrying the other one.” She gestured toward Fitz.

That surprised a laugh from him. “The other one, am I?”

She shrugged and he laughed again. “It’s good to see you, Melinda. I hope you won’t be terribly upset by our sudden intrusion and unexpected news.”

“I’m always pleased to see you, Gerry, and this time especially so.” She smiled at Daisy before reaching for his hand. “Congratulations.”

She turned back to Daisy. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Jane.”

“Please, call me Daisy.”

“I hope you’re staying so that we may get to know one another. After all, we are to be sisters.”

Daisy wrapped her arms around Melinda and said something into her ear that made her laugh. Being kind just came naturally to Daisy. One of the many reasons he loved her.

“Will you be staying?” His brother asked, no doubt spurred on by his wife’s suggestion. To be fair, he was probably still in a state of shock. His manners had been fairly good, under the circumstances.

“The truth is, I don’t know.” Fitz shrugged. “We haven’t yet called upon her family.”

His eyes grew wide. “Oh, so they don’t know she’s…”

Fitz shook his head. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous about telling them. “Not yet. We’re going there now.”

Daisy bussed Geoffrey on the cheek. “Thank you, for taking all of this so well. I’m glad that you were able to find happiness too.”

He nodded and looked on her with more warmth than Fitz had ever seen him show her before. It was a relief.

“And thank you, Lady Redmore, for welcoming me, in spite of… well… everything.”

“Melinda,” she corrected. “And please do come and stay, or at least come for a visit soon.”

“I’ll have rooms made ready,” Geoffrey said. “You’ll both be welcome to stay if you decide to.”

“Thank you.” Fitz escorted Daisy toward the front door before calling over his shoulder, “Feel free to tell Mother my happy news.”

Geoffrey laughed. “Coward.”