Page 20 of A Raven Revived (The Raven’s Den #4)

Chapter Twenty

F itz sat in Ash’s office, in the familiar seat across the desk from him.

“So how is she really doing?” he asked.

It took Fitz a long time to decide how to respond. Eventually, he decided to just be honest. This was Ash, after all. He deserved that much. “She’s been through hell, both physically and emotionally.” He blew out a long breath and scrubbed his hands over his face, still seeing the bruises. They weren’t all self-inflicted. There was one on her bottom in the shape of someone’s hand. “I thought I’d treat her to a nice hot bath this morning, and when she laid eyes on the tub,”—he cursed under his breath—“the fear that came over her… I’ve never seen anything like it.” He blew out another breath, trying desperately to maintain his composure.

Ash’s eyes narrowed, but he simply nodded.

“I’m not like you and the others. I’m not generally a violent man.”

Ash chuckled. “I like to think I’m not generally a violent man, either.”

“You know what I mean. What happened with Litchfield isn’t the type of thing I’ve ever been involved with, but you three were far too relaxed for it to have been your first time.”

Ash gave a noncommittal shrug.

“But this morning, Daisy scuttled away from me because she was so frightened. She thought that I might hurt her. Me!” He pointed at his own chest. “I would never, ever do anything to hurt her.” He took a moment to breathe. “In that moment, I could have killed Litchfield with my bare hands.”

Ash nodded, considering his next words. “If he wasn’t… who he is,”—his gaze locked with Fitz’s—“he’d have been dead before we left his home.”

This was a different sort of world that Fitz was stepping into. These men would kill to protect or avenge those in their care, without even batting an eye. It was like a brotherhood, and he wanted, more than ever, to be a real part of it.

“Daisy is strong.” Ash’s words pulled him away from his thoughts.

He nodded. “I know she is. I have no doubt she’ll overcome this, in time, and I will do everything I can to help her. If you could have some raisin scones sent over for the next few mornings, that wouldn’t hurt.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged.”

There was a knock on the door.

“Come,” Ash called.

Patrick smiled when he saw Fitz. “Just the man I was hoping to see.”

“Am I?”

“How is she today?”

Before Fitz could answer, Ash interrupted. “Is your brother here?”

Patrick nodded.

“Good, let’s take this over to the club then.” He looked back at Fitz. “That way you won’t have to repeat yourself with each of us.”

It was such a strange experience as he entered The Raven’s Den. Michael, Giles, and Lord Epworth were all there. They each took turns greeting him and clapping him on the shoulder as if he were one of them.

“What are you drinking?” Patrick asked as he headed for the bar.

“I’m not picky. Whatever you’re having is fine.”

“Well it’s a good thing I’m pouring, then, and not Michael.”

When they were all settled around the table, five pairs of eyes were fixed on him.

“Well?” Michael asked, taking a sip of his barley water. “How’s our girl?”

Fitz’s heart swelled, and he smiled. “She’s going to be alright with a little time. She’s lucky to have all of you. As am I. I would never have had a chance of getting her back without your incredible help.”

“She’s lucky to have you too, Fitz.” Lord Epworth raised his glass as a sort of salute.

“That’s very kind of you to say, Lord Epworth.”

“As I'm sure Patrick will attest, I don’t bestow niceties. The devotion you showed her was impressive, turning down any help from maids or servants, in spite of your exhaustion, and watching over her, making sure she was safe and cared for every minute.”

“He’s not wrong.” Patrick was sitting beside him and clapped him on the back.

It was hard to accept their kind words. “And yet, if I hadn’t left her with her father in the first place, she wouldn’t have needed rescuing.”

“Welcome to the club,” Michael said. “At least yours wasn’t in danger because she was running away from you.” He shrugged. “All that matters now is that she’s safe. Blaming yourself won’t do anyone any good.”

Fitz nodded. He was right of course. It did make him feel a little better that none of these men seemed to be condemning him. Especially knowing how protective they were of her.

“I believe Epworth has some news for us,” Ash said, moving the conversation along.

“I do, as it happens. Although perhaps not the news you're expecting. Litchfield is dead.”

All eyes turned to Ash. He held up his hands. “This is the first I’m hearing about it. Not that I didn’t want to, but I had nothing to do with it.”

Their heads all swiveled to look at Fitz, and he just shook his head. “I haven’t left Daisy’s side for a single moment.”

They once again turned back to stare at Ash. He sighed. “How did he die?”

“Fell down a flight of stairs, apparently. I just assumed it was one of yours, honestly.”

Ash shook his head. “This wasn’t me.”

“Well,” Giles finally spoke up. “Cheers to whoever it was. By all accounts, the world is a better place without the bastard.”

“Hear, hear!” Patrick held his glass up and a round of laughter broke out as they all clinked their glasses together. Fitz raised his glass with them, but he now had a responsibility that the others didn’t. He’d have to tell Daisy.

“I thought I was bringing good tidings, Fitz, but you don’t look all that happy.”

“Oh, I’m happy he’s dead, but I’m not sure how Daisy will feel about it. Not to mention, now I’ll have to seek permission from whoever his heir happens to be.”

“It’s his nephew. He’s a reasonable sort, so I doubt there will be any trouble.”

“Well, that is good news.” He raised his glass again and took a swig. “Otherwise, we’ll be heading for Gretna Green, because we are going to marry. I will not lose her again.”

When he returned to Raven House a short time later, he found Daisy… sweeping. “What are you doing, love?”

Her smile was bright when she turned to face him. “It needed to be done, and I just wanted to do something that felt normal, I guess.”

“Are you going to come over here every afternoon and sweep?”

She giggled. The sound was music to his ears. “Perhaps I will.”

He took the broom from her and propped it against the wall before wrapping his arms around her. “You, my gorgeous girl, can do whatever makes you happy.”

“What would make me happy right now is a kiss.”

He pressed his lips gently against hers, but they eagerly opened and demanded more. She kissed him with a hunger that caught him off guard, plunging her tongue into his mouth. His body’s response was immediate. He wrapped a hand around the back of her head and matched her ferocity.

The sound of Ash clearing his throat startled him, and he pulled back. A light blush tinged her cheeks and she giggled. She reached over and grabbed the broom.

She pointed at Ash. “Not a word from you.” That surprised a laugh from Ash and Fitz both. Thank God she still had her spirit. It was a miracle that she did after everything she’d been through.

“I’m going to finish sweeping.” She went back to the chore as if nothing had happened, disappearing down the hall.

Fitz turned to face Ash, his hands up. “Apologies.”

“You’re forgiven this time, but only because I got to see that response from Daisy.”

Fitz nodded, and they both sighed with relief. She was going to be alright.

“Listen,” Ash said, “what happens between the two of you is none of my business, until it happens in this building. Here, it has the potential to cause awkwardness with the other ladies.”

Fitz nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Especially if you become their employer.”

Fitz froze at the words, afraid to allow the excitement that was bubbling within him in case he’d somehow misunderstood.

“Does that mean my investment offer is back on the table?”

“Are you still interested, now that you know it’s not just about the money and we have a responsibility to these women?”

“More than ever.”

“Glad to hear it. Let's get you two married, and we’ll go from there.”

* * *

Fitz barely made it through the door to their townhouse before Daisy wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. He glimpsed Jasper as he walked in, probably to take their coats, but he made a quick retreat. He was going to have to give the poor man an increase in pay. He hadn’t known what he was signing up for when he took the job.

Fitz chuckled as he pulled back from her. “You’re going to scandalize our staff.” He took her coat and draped it with his over the railing.

“Well,” she said haughtily, “they’d better get used to it, because I don’t plan on stopping.” Amusement flickered in her eyes, and he laughed in sheer joy.

“Get upstairs, you little minx.”

Laughter continued to float down behind her as she raced up the stairs just ahead of him. She was already unbuttoning her blouse when he closed the bedroom door. He stood, transfixed as it opened wider, revealing more of her skin.

“Are you going to repeat what you did when you came to my room at the inn?”

She swallowed, her breasts rising and falling as her breathing became more rapid. “Would you like that?”

“I don’t know if I could manage to keep my hands off you this time.” His arousal was already throbbing desperately in his trousers as she allowed her bodice to float to the floor.

He removed his coat and waistcoat and draped them over the chair, his eyes never leaving her as she pushed her skirt and petticoats to the floor. She removed her corset cover, but then she stopped.

“I want to see it this time.” Her eyes flicked to his groin.

Her lurid demand made him even more desperate to have her. He removed the rest of his clothes in short order, leaving them in a pile on the floor. He took a step closer, her gaze fixed on his eager erection.

Gently, she wrapped her fingers around it, her eyes growing wide when it twitched in her hand. He groaned as she slowly moved her hand up and down his length. Her tentative movements sent flashes of pleasure through his body. It was unbelievably tantalizing, and he was loath to stop her.

He groaned again. “As much as I’m enjoying this, if you’re going to want to make use of that for something else soon, you’re going to need to stop.”

“Can you tell me what happens?” She removed her hand, and he blew out a long breath, pushing himself back from the edge.

“Well, you know what happens to you when you reach your climax?”

She nodded and waited for him to continue.

“I assume mine feels similar, but I also spill my seed when that happens. After that, it becomes unusable for a time.”

“You mean, soft, like it was this morning before you touched my breasts?”

He nodded. “Exactly like that, except it takes a little while before it can do this again.” He pointed to himself.

“Does that mean we’ll have to stop?”

“No. I still have a tongue and ten fingers, which can bring you plenty of pleasure.”

She wrapped her fingers back around him. “Then I want to see it happen.”

“Well, I daresay you won’t have long to wait.” He groaned as she moved faster and more confidently. He was so close. Her lips parted as she looked up at him and back at her hand as she stroked him. Her tongue darted out to wet them and her breathing accelerated. She was enjoying this too. His pleasure surged at the thought and ripped through him.

“My God, Daisy.” With a curse, he let go. He reached out to grab the bedpost to steady himself as ecstasy pulsed through him, his seed spilling in her hand and over her arm. She didn’t recoil, as he’d feared. Instead, she smiled and looked up at him.

“You are the most incredible thing that has ever happened to me.” He kissed her briefly, then steered her to the bed. “Sit, and I’ll get a cloth to get you cleaned up.”

When that was finished, he kissed her with all the love and gratitude he felt, until she was gasping for breath.

“Now, it’s my turn,” he said.

She nodded eagerly as he reached around and loosened the laces of her corset. He unhooked it and dropped it onto the floor with her other clothes. Her nipples stood out against the thin fabric of her chemise, and he couldn’t resist drawing one into his mouth. She gasped, her fingers gripping the bedding on both sides of her. He opened his mouth and flicked roughly with his tongue. She called out his name and arched her back pressing her breast more firmly against his mouth.

He smiled up at her before moving to the other nipple. Her response to him was extraordinary. He would never tire of watching her writhe with pleasure.

“Fitz, please. I need more.”

“Well, we’d better get your shoes off, then.” He dropped to his knees to remove them along with her stockings.

He slipped a hand up to untie her drawers before helping her to stand. They fell to the floor, leaving her in only her chemise. He looked down into her eyes. “Can I say the words so we can reclaim them for ourselves?” He bunched the fabric lightly in his hands. “I promise to reward you for it.”

She smiled nervously, then straightened her spine just a bit before nodding. He flicked his tongue over her nipple one more time.

“Are you certain?” He didn’t want her to do anything she wasn’t comfortable with.

“Yes. I’m certain.” She closed her eyes, probably bracing herself.

“Remember, you’re safe.”

She nodded. “I know.” She looked into his eyes. “Say the words.”

“Lift your arms.”

She froze for a moment and closed her eyes. He feared he’d ruined this incredible moment with his request, but then she slowly did as he’d asked. He whisked the fabric over her head and immediately drew her nipple into his mouth.

She moaned and arched her back as he reached around to squeeze her bottom. He lifted her onto the side of the bed and gently laid her back before dropping to his knees and delving between her thighs. Her scent was enough to drive him wild, and the taste of her on his tongue had his own arousal stirring again already. He pressed her trembling legs open wide and moved his tongue slowly over her, savoring her obvious appreciation.

Desperate moans matched his rhythm. Her trembling grew more intense, and her whole body twitched and writhed. Thank God she still wanted him. Still wanted this. He slid his hands under her luscious bottom to hold her still, and her sounds became more urgent. Gasping, she dug her fingers into his hair and pulled his face more firmly against her. He smiled, her desire for him making his own hunger swell even more, but he continued with his steady rhythm, drawing out her need as long as possible.

She sucked in a startled breath and let out a long, euphoric moan. Her thighs clamped around his head as groan after groan issued from her lips. By the time her writhing calmed, he was hard and desperate for her again. He stood and drove himself into her.

Her eyes widened and her lips turned up in a slow smile. “You lied.”

He chuckled and then groaned as he plunged slowly into her again. “I guess I did. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Mmmm. I’ll probably be able to forgive you.”

He lifted her legs up, resting her feet on top of his shoulders and increased his speed, pounding into her. Her breasts shook with each impact, drawing his hands to them. Their softness in his palms was pure bliss, and she gasped for breath as he gently squeezed her nipples. She was exquisite.

“Fitz.” Her fingers dug desperately into the bedding.

“Are you going to come for me again, my beautiful girl?”

“Yes,” she panted, nodding frenziedly. “Yes!” She threw her head back and her body clamped around him, propelling him into his own climax.

He’d never known pleasure like it as it ripped through him. He bellowed an oath and slammed into her as he lost control, his legs threatening to give out completely. His whole body shook and his lungs worked arduously. Eventually, as his mind came back into focus, he managed to get her into the bed properly and climb in next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him.

“I was such a fool.” They were both still out of breath.

“Which time are you talking about?”

He loved that she could always make him laugh, even after everything she’d been through. “When I left because you became engaged to my brother. To think, my cowardice could have made me miss out on all of this.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head and she snuggled closer. “My God, you are a magnificent woman, Daisy.”