Page 2 of A Raven Revived (The Raven’s Den #4)

Chapter Two

F itz threw back the last of his brandy and lifted his hand to order another glass. What in God’s name had happened today? Lady Jane was alive. How? Three years she’d been gone. They had all thought she was dead. Fitz had looked for her. He’d hired people to look for her. That’s how his friendship with Anderson had blossomed. His worthless brother, on the other hand, had been more concerned about his own reputation, and the scandal of being jilted by his bride. She was never supposed to be Geoffrey’s bride, and he hadn’t deserved her. Even her own parents seemed to think it was better if she never came back. If she was presumed dead, it was a tragedy rather than a scandal. The way they had all acted made him sick, even now. But he hadn’t given up. At least, not for a long time. After two years, however, even he had struggled to hold onto hope.

But she was here. Alive and well and more beautiful than ever.

He’d watched her for a bit before calling her name, struggling to believe it was actually her. She’d been laughing and smiling, and the radiance of it had taken his breath away. But when he’d called her name, she’d run from him, and when he’d caught up to her, the terror on her face had stopped his heart mid-beat. Had she thought he might hurt her? Was she afraid of him? He would never do anything to harm her. How could she possibly think otherwise?

But how was she here after all this time? And the man who came to her aid, was he a bodyguard of some sort, keeping her safe? Or was he her jailer? Fitz had caught sight of them just enough to see her thrown over the man’s shoulder before losing them completely.

So many questions, and he needed answers. He couldn’t just lose her again.

His second glass of brandy arrived at the same time as his solicitor. He set a large envelope on the table as he sat and ordered himself a brandy as well.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Fitz. Is everything alright?”

“What did you find out, Anderson?” Fitz wasn’t ready to share about the day's events just yet.

He continued to look concerned for a moment, but didn’t push back. “A lot.” He tapped a finger on the envelope. “And there are definitely some surprises.”

“Good surprises or bad surprises?”

Anderson shrugged. “I’m not sure to be honest. I can confirm that they’re not in it for the money. The club undoubtedly makes plenty, but they’re all independently wealthy, and from very powerful families.”

“How powerful?”

“Perhaps even more powerful than yours. Ash and Michael are both earls, Lord Ashdown and Lord Dalinridge, respectively, and Lord Patrick is the brother of a Marquess. Giles is a new addition to their group, and is not quite as exalted as the other three, but he is wealthy enough, and Lord Dalinridge’s current heir.”

That was a lot to take in. Fitz slowly rolled his glass, swirling the liquid within. It explained a few things. Ash had certainly carried himself with the confidence of someone who’d rarely been denied anything he wanted. It didn’t put him off, though. A group of noblemen who didn’t allow titles in their club? It only made him want to know these men even more.

He had done as Ash requested and delivered pertinent information about himself. Nearly a week had passed, and he had yet to get any kind of response.

It was unfortunate that he’d been banned from the club. He really did enjoy the place, and there wasn’t nearly enough other entertainment in Raven Row. Not a single brothel, which seemed odd for an area like this. The ladies who worked at The Raven’s Den were off-limits. It was well known that if you so much as laid a finger on any of them, you’d be lucky to make it out of the club with said finger still intact.

“That’s a lot for me to think on,” Fitz said, finally looking up from his drink.

“There is one other thing I came across repeatedly that I think you should be aware of.”

“What’s that?”

“These are not men to be trifled with. Especially Ash. Apparently, he is extremely protective of those he cares about and of his club. I would tread carefully, if I were you.”

“Well, fortunately, I don’t plan to do anything to anyone he cares about. I simply want to do business with the man.”

Just then, a young boy appeared at the table and held out a folded piece of paper. “A delivery for you, sir.”

He accepted it, and the boy ran off before he could ask any questions. Looking down at the wax seal imprinted with a raven, he could guess who it was from.

“Speak of the devil, I believe.” He held up the note. Anderson looked surprised by the remark.

“Did you tell him you would be here?”

Fitz shook his head as he broke the seal to confirm he was right. “I believe that’s the point of having it delivered to me here, to remind me that I’m in his territory and he knows everything that happens here.”

Anderson’s eyes widened, and he breathed in deeply before taking a drink. He was probably regretting digging into these particular men. If they knew Fitz was here, they also knew who he was meeting and why. Fitz chuckled as he read the brief missive. It was a power move, and he liked it. Definitely someone he wanted to do business with.

“I’ve been summoned,” he said as he folded the note closed. “Tomorrow afternoon.” He smiled at the prospect and sipped his brandy. “Hopefully it means they are willing to talk about my offer.” When he looked up, Anderson’s eyes were still wide. “Sorry, my friend. I didn’t mean to drag you into something you weren’t looking for.”

He shrugged and took another drink. “Just don’t do anything to make them angry.”

Fitz laughed.

“I’m serious, Fitz. Don’t do anything to provoke them.”

“I don’t plan to. I want them to like me so I can invest in their club, remember?” He smiled down at his drink. “You really should go in and see the place. It’s magnificent.”

He shook his head. “Not only do I not have the funds to squander like you do, but that’s not really my idea of a good time.”

“Suit yourself.” Fitz downed the last of his drink. “Since I’m not welcome there myself right now, I suppose I’ll go up to bed.”

The following afternoon, a large doorman ushered Fitz to Ash’s office inside Raven House. The building was well secured. Apparently, it housed the Lady Ravens, and he obviously took their safety seriously. Ash sat behind his desk and looked up as he approached the door.

“Have a seat, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” No good day, or welcome, but he did as he was bid. He didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot, after all.

Almost immediately, the three other partners entered the room and closed the door behind them. It wasn’t a terribly spacious room, and suddenly felt quite crowded. He was surrounded, trapped, and three of them now loomed over him.

“Why does this feel more like an ambush than a business meeting?” He looked up at the men standing over him. Perhaps he had done something to provoke them, after all.

Ash shrugged, still seated in what might as well have been a throne, the way he leaned back, not a care in the world. “You can call it whatever you’d like. I brought you here to discuss Daisy. I believe you know her as Lady Jane.”

Oh, he knew who Daisy was. That’s what he’d always called her, and he felt the corners of his mouth tip up at the knowledge that she was using that name here. As soon as he’d learned that was her middle name, he’d never called her anything else. Whenever possible, he would bring her one just so he could see her smile. With her vibrant personality and a laugh that would brighten even the darkest night, she was never right to be named Jane.

“She is under my protection, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” The threat was clear in Ash’s voice as it pulled him out of his reverie.

Patrick leaned in closer. “She’s under our protection.”

Well, it seemed she had landed on her feet here, at least.

Michael placed his hands on top of the desk and leaned in as well. “I understand you put your hands on her.”

“Whoa,” Fitz said, placing his own hands on the desk and standing up. “I take issue with that insinuation. Technically, I may have touched her, but I would never harm Daisy.” He looked Ash straight in the eye. “Never.” He’d fight all four of these men before allowing them to accuse him of hurting her. He’d get the stuffing knocked out of him, but if that’s what it took to defend his honor, so be it.

Silence stretched across the desk. After a full minute, Ash finally brought an end to it.

“Good. Sit back down.”

As much as Fitz disliked being ordered about, he also wouldn’t come out on top against the four of them. Begrudgingly, he lowered himself back into the chair. The other two slowly stepped back and folded their arms across their chests. Giles still stood behind him, blocking the door.

“We need your word that her secret is safe with you.”

Fitz tutted out a breath and rolled his eyes. “You mean that I won’t run to her family and tell them she’s alive? Her family can rot, for all I care, along with my own. Not a single one of them gave a damn when she went missing.” He looked around at all of them. “I didn’t say that, obviously.” They all nodded their understanding. “I was the only one who was out looking for her. The only one who hired trackers and investigators. The only one who did more than pretend to grieve her loss.” His voice escalated and anger boiled in his gut thinking about it again.

The men around him all seemed to relax a bit.

“She’s safe here,” Ash assured him.

Fitz nodded. “Just as long as she isn’t a prisoner.”

Ash shook his head and sat forward in his chair. “None of the ladies are here against their will. They are all free to leave if they wish.”

“I suppose the man who got her away from me yesterday is one of yours?”

“He works for me,” Michael said gruffly.

“Well, he did good work. I wasn’t actually a threat, but he didn’t know that. And from the look on Daisy’s face, she didn’t either.” He let out a long sigh. “Will one of you please apologize to her for me? I didn’t intend to frighten her. Assure her that her secret is safe with me.”

“Of course,” Ash responded quietly.

With another long sigh, Fitz slowly got to his feet. “If that’s all then, I suppose I should bid you good day, gentlemen.”

“Does that mean you’re no longer interested in investing?”

Fitz whipped back around to look at Ash, whose brows were raised in question.

“I most certainly am.” His mouth turned up in a slow smile.

“Good. Let’s move this meeting to the club, then, where we’ll be more comfortable.”

* * *

All the ladies at Raven House had a daily chore to help with the running of the house. Most of them cycled through different ones, but Daisy had been there long enough to have a little sway, and she chose to stick with sweeping. After returning the broom to its closet, she made her way to the front drawing room. She deserved to sit for a few minutes with a nice cup of tea, and perhaps a biscuit.

The door to Ash’s office opened as she neared, but it wasn’t Ash who stepped through. It was Fitz. She gasped and stumbled backwards a step. What was he doing here? When his eyes landed on her, the delighted smile on his face withered and died. A sadness settled into his eyes and the slight smile that returned punctured her heart.

She wasn’t afraid of him. God no. He’d never been anything but incredibly kind to her. So why did his presence create an overwhelming need for her to flee?

He gave her a slight bow and with the barest hint of a nod, he turned and followed Giles to the stairs that led to The Raven’s Den. She couldn’t even begin to understand what was happening.

Ash was at her side in an instant. “It’s alright, Daisy. He won’t hurt you, and he’s promised to keep your secret.”

After a moment, she tore her eyes away from the place where Fitz had disappeared and looked up at Ash. “Did you threaten him?”

He chuckled softly. “Perhaps, but I believe he cares about you.”

She looked back to the bottom of the staircase. Did he? She’d believed he did once. Her heart thudded inside her chest. Why had so much sadness settled over him when he'd looked at her?

“If he cares about me, why did he just turn and leave?”

“The look of terror on your face may have had something to do with it.”

Daisy affected her best scowl. “Are you teasing me?” Of course he was. In many ways, Ash was the big brother she’d never had, even if he was her employer.

He smiled and patted her shoulder. “If you’re alright, I’m going to head over to the Den.”

She nodded and he turned to leave. “Ash,” she called after him. “Will you ask him if he might wish to speak with me?”

He gave her a quick nod. “Of course I will.”

A few hours later, as Daisy crossed over to The Raven’s Den with the other ladies, her stomach clenched. Would Fitz be there? He’d gone over with Giles and the others, but why? She hadn’t asked a single question at the time, but it was definitely strange. The only people who went that way into the club were the owners, the Lady Ravens, and security. No one else was allowed. Even the musicians and other staff all came and went through the rear entrance. So why had Fitz been permitted?

She wanted to see him, but on her own terms. She didn’t want to be surprised by him again, and she certainly didn’t want him to see her this way, dressed in a low-cut gown that hugged her every curve. She wasn’t ashamed of her work. Quite the opposite, really. She enjoyed it immensely. But Fitz had never seen her presented as anything but a perfect lady.

Well, perhaps that wasn’t completely true. She had done some things with him that a lady certainly shouldn’t. Something fluttered in her belly before she pushed the memories back down. Dwelling on those things was the last thing she needed just now.

There was always a line of men waiting for the doors to open and the ladies were there to welcome them with smiles and waves before they danced their way to the side of the gaming floor where they spent most of the evening.

Thankfully, there was no sign of Fitz. Nor did she see him the rest of the night. That hadn’t stopped her from thinking about him the entire time. Fortunately, after three years of doing this, it didn’t take much concentration anymore.

At the end of the night, Michael walked to the middle of the gaming floor and spoke over the din. “Gentlemen, say goodnight to the Lady Ravens!”

They danced and twirled their way between the tables, fluttering their feathered fans and blowing kisses to the patrons before eventually slipping through the black velvet curtains at the back. Ash waited at the top of the stairs as they passed.

“Good night, ladies. Thank you for all your hard work.” One of the owners was always there to thank them and wish them goodnight, along with security to see them safely across to Raven House and lock the doors behind them.

Daisy woke around noon. She threw on a robe and made her way down the hall in search of breakfast. Gwen approached her with her usual friendly smile.

“After you’ve finished eating, Ash would like a word in his office.”

“It’s a good thing you said after. Otherwise, I might miss out on a raisin scone.”

Gwen leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “They’re still warm this morning.”

“Excuse me if I don’t stay and chat then.” They both giggled, and Daisy continued to the sitting room where breakfast was served.

Mrs. Corstairs might be a bit of a strict disciplinarian when it came to overseeing all the ladies’ chores, but she did make a delicious scone. Daisy popped the last bite into her mouth and washed it down with the remainder of her tea.

She took another breath to savor the moment before reporting to Ash’s office.