Page 7 of A Raven Revived (The Raven’s Den #4)
Chapter Seven
“M iss Daisy.” An older man with kindness in his eyes and a welcoming smile gave her a small bow before helping her to step down from the carriage. “I’m Benson, and I will be at your disposal for anything you might require.” He took her valise, and a footman carried the rest of her belongings inside.
“It’s nice to meet you, Benson.”
What was happening? She hadn’t come up here as a guest, but they certainly weren't treating her like a servant. Benson escorted her in through the front door, but she didn’t have time to question it.
A familiar man trotted down the stairs into the entrance hall. “Daisy, welcome. I apologize I wasn’t already here to greet you. I was just putting Maggie to bed.”
Trent was Ash’s half-brother. He was younger than him, but was otherwise just a lighter version of Ash, with his dark brown hair and charcoal suit, rather than black. He had the same build and the same darkness that lingered just behind the kindness in his eyes.
“It’s good to see you again, Trent.” They’d met briefly at Ash’s wedding, not long ago.
“Allow me to show you to your room.”
She followed him up the stairs he’d just descended and down a long hallway. He stopped at a door and gestured for her to enter. This was a guest room. It was time to ask some questions.
“This is not a servant’s room, Trent.”
“Not typically, no, but.” He held up a hand when she was about to argue. Even his mannerisms reminded her of Ash. “You’re to help oversee Maggie’s care when needed. Therefore, I thought it would be best if you were next door to her room.”
“She doesn’t stay in the nursery?”
He shook his head. “No, I like to have her close at night, so I can keep an eye on her.”
Keep an eye on her. Daisy sighed. Now she understood why no one was treating her like a servant. There never had been an open position at Woodburn Hall. Ash had just sent her here because he knew Trent would keep an eye on her, just like he did his little sister, Maggie.
* * *
Fitz couldn’t stop smiling as he walked around the empty townhouse with his solicitor. This place was everything he’d hoped for, and he kept imagining Daisy there with him. Of course, for her to be there with him, they’d have to marry, which somehow, he was suddenly ready for. It just felt right. It always had though, even when he’d been a bloody idiot and left her to marry his brother. If he was lucky, she might eventually want to be his wife. The truth was, even if she didn’t marry him, at least this townhouse would allow him to stay in Raven Row and be near her but still get him out of that inn, with all of its noises and its hard bed. This time, he wasn’t just going to run off and leave her. He was going to do what he should have done before. He was going to commit to Daisy. He was going to wait for her and fight for her. He was going to do whatever was necessary to be in her life, however she would have him.
“I’ll take it.” He nodded, taking a last look around what would be the drawing room. “Pay them whatever they’re asking.”
Anderson furrowed his brow. “Are you sure? It’s likely they will be willing to negotiate.”
He nodded. “I’m sure.” Negotiations would only slow it down.
That night was just like each of the nights since Daisy had appeared at his door, drunk, smiling, and irresistibly beautiful. Every time he tried to sleep, all he could imagine was her at the head of the bed, bringing herself pleasure. He’d never experienced anything so erotic in all his life. This night, just like all the others since then, he’d had to take himself in hand. He’d managed to satisfy his lust, but his mind was still awhirl with thoughts of her. It had only become more complicated now that he realized his heart wanted her as much as his randy cock.
What was he going to do about it? Have patience, that’s what. He couldn’t very well profess his love on a bloody slate outside her window. Even he was better than that. Perhaps he could come up with some kind of grand gesture for after her confinement.
In the meantime, he’d just have to be patient.
The following afternoon, when Fitz arrived at Raven House to pay a visit to Daisy’s window, the brute of a security guard stopped him with a sharp whistle and waved him over.
“Ash wants to see you.” He held open the gate, and with a sigh, Fitz walked through.
What now? The doorman opened the main door without questioning him, and he made his way to Ash’s office. He had his back to the door, filing away some paperwork. He turned and greeted Fitz with a sigh rather than a smile. That couldn’t be a good sign.
“What have I done now?” Fitz asked as he entered.
“Close the door, please.”
He did, and when he turned back, Ash was holding Daisy’s slate out for him.
“You can't be serious. It's ten minutes a day, for God's sake. It's not hurting anything.”
“I didn't take it away from her. Look at it.”
On it was his riddle and written underneath was the answer: shadow. But then, down in the corner there was more.
Goodbye Fitz
“What does it mean?” he asked desperately.
“Have a seat.”
Fitz ignored him. “Tell me what it means.” His voice shook with emotion.
“She’s gone, Fitz. She’s taken a position.”
A scalding wave of anger nearly choked him. He dropped the slate on the desk, grabbed Ash’s lapels, and slammed him back against his large wooden filing cabinet.
“You son of a bitch! Where is she? Where did you send her?”
The smug bastard didn’t even look ruffled. He merely raised his brow and let out a bored sigh.
“I understand you’re upset, Fitz, which is why I’m giving you this warning. You have five seconds to take your hands off me, or I will have you face down on the floor.”
He was far too confident for it to be a bluff. Fitz shoved him once more and let him go. Ash straightened his coat, completely unperturbed.
“Have a seat,” he repeated.
He looked at the slate again. She’d drawn a little daisy next to his name and there were two spots that looked like water had dripped onto the surface. Tears.
“Where did you send her?”
“I gave her my word that I wouldn’t tell you.”
She’d left to get away from him and didn’t want him to find her. His legs suddenly felt weak. He lowered himself into the seat before finally looking up at Ash again.
“What did I do? Why did she leave?”
Ash let out a long sigh. “It was an act of self-preservation. I told you before, losing you again would break her. She must have come to that same conclusion, so she decided to go before she became even more attached to you, knowing that without your investment, you would eventually leave this place.”
“But I’m not leaving! Even now, my solicitor is drawing up papers to make an offer on a townhouse. One of yours, no doubt.”
His dark brows hitched up in surprise. “That’s an awfully permanent step.”
“Like I said, I’m not leaving. I will find her, even if you don’t tell me where she is.”
“She’s safe, Fitz. I can promise you that much.”
“I’m glad to hear it, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t hurting. There are tearstains on this slate.” He pointed a finger at one of them. “So wherever you’ve hidden her, I am going to find her, if it’s the last thing I do.”
“I won’t try and stop you,” Ash said, holding up his hands.
“But you won’t tell me where you sent her?”
He shook his head. “I gave her my word.”
With a huff, he got to his feet. “Just accept my offer on your townhouse so I have a place to live when I get back that isn’t that bloody inn. And furnish the place. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
Ash inclined his head. Fitz picked up the slate from the desk and left.
To be placed so quickly, she had to be at one of the owners’ estates. He’d start with Ash’s, and if she wasn’t there, he’d move to the next one. He was not going to give up on her. He’d been a bloody fool to give her up so she could wed his brother. He should have fought for her then. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
* * *
When Daisy woke, her eyes were still swollen. Her head ached, but not as much as her heart. As hard as it was, it confirmed that she’d made the right choice. How much more painful would it have been in another week or month when he’d decided to leave Raven Row?
He would leave, or at least, he would have. Without the opportunity to invest in The Raven’s Den, there would be nothing to keep him there. That might change, now that she was gone, but she couldn’t think about that. With a sigh, she pushed back the blankets. The sun was shining brightly, and it was time to face the day. It was going to be an adjustment, working days instead of nights after all this time.
After dressing, she opened the door and stepped into the hall. Both Trent’s and Maggie’s rooms were already empty, so she made her way downstairs.
“Good morning, Daisy,” Trent said with a smile when she entered the dining room. His eyes swept over her face, and his smile faltered just a bit. He hadn’t missed the evidence of her crying.
“Good morning, Daisy!” The adorable little girl wiggled in the chair beside his, her eyes bright and her mouth wide in a vibrant smile. It was enough to warm anyone’s heart, even her own.
“Good morning to you, Maggie.” She returned the young girl’s smile and sat in the chair that had been pulled out for her across from them. “And you, Trent.” She was going to have to talk to him. This was not how staff was treated.
Just then a woman appeared in the doorway, and Maggie stood up on her chair. “Careful,” Trent warned. “You don’t want to fall.” He picked her up under her arms and set her down on the floor where she ran to the woman who must be her nanny. Another reminder that Daisy didn’t actually have a role here and was completely superfluous.
“I hope you slept well,” Trent said after Maggie was gone.
Daisy nodded. She hadn’t, of course, but she didn’t want to complain. “I appreciate all of the kindness from you and Ash, but this isn’t what I was expecting when I asked Ash to send me here. He said there was a position for me, and there clearly isn’t.”
He nodded and took a sip of tea, seeming to consider his response. “I don’t believe he’s concerned about that. He made it very clear that you are welcome here.”
“Of course he did.” She let out a long sigh. He had always been good to her, and over the three years she’d been under his care, they’d grown close. “When I asked him to send me here, I hadn’t really considered that I’d be leaving him too.”
“Are you two very close then?”
Daisy chuckled. “Not in that way. I love him like a brother. Or, at least, what I imagine that’s like. I’ve never had an actual brother. He’s sweet and protective, and he teases me, but there’s nothing romantic between us.” Nothing like what she felt with Fitz. “He took me in without any question of my worthiness or my background. He just saved me… like he does.” Like he was doing now, sending her here where he knew she’d be safe and cared for.
“You can always go back, Daisy. He made that clear, as well.”
Not if Fitz was there. How could she ever possibly face him again? “Is there some way I can make myself useful here, Trent? I really don’t want to step on the nanny’s toes.”
His smile was kind and understanding. “Would you like to ride out with me today? I have to visit three tenants and follow up on repairs.”
“Will that be useful?”
He shrugged. “It would be nice to have some company, and I think the sunshine will do you good.”
He wasn’t wrong about that. The sunshine felt wondrous on her skin, and she hadn’t been on a horse in ages. It was exhilarating.
After they finished with the last tenant, Trent galloped ahead of her and turned back. He was so much like Ash. Somehow he just knew exactly what she needed, and was happy to provide.
“Come on, slowpoke. What are you waiting for?”
He kicked his horse into motion, and she followed suit. She urged the magnificent animal faster and faster. The wind whipped the hat off her head, and she laughed as her hair pulled free of its pins. It may have been a while, but she’d been a good horsewoman before she’d left her home. Pushing the mare even faster, she slowly gained on Trent, and in the final stretch to the stables, she caught him.
“Ha!” she called as she pulled ahead of him.
Perhaps he’d let her win, but either way, it felt good. She was gasping for breath as a groom helped her down from the saddle.
“Good work,” she said as she rubbed the horse’s muzzle affectionately.
Trent’s smile was as wide as hers when he approached. “I don’t often have someone to race with. Especially someone who is actually a challenge.”
She laughed, joy still radiating through her. “I lost my hat.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent someone after it.”
“You’re so much like your brother. Do you know that?”
His smile turned a bit shy, and he brushed some dirt from his sleeve as they walked toward the house. “I take that as a great compliment.”
“You should.”
* * *
Fitz took the first train the following morning. Ash’s estate was about as far north as you could go and still be in England, and the journey felt like an eternity. By the time the hired hack pulled up in front of Woodburn Hall, the day was more than half over. He instructed the driver to wait and walked up to the front door.
The butler opened it looking slightly affronted that someone had bothered him. Perfectly starched and not a hair out of place, he raised a haughty brow.
“Can I help you, sir?”
“I’m here to see Daisy.”
The man narrowed his eyes slightly before speaking again. It was such a small thing, but it was enough. She was here.
“I’m not sure to whom you are referring, sir.”
“I just need to speak with her.”
The butler didn’t budge, and Fitz wasn’t going to force his way inside. He took a few steps back from the door and shouted up at the house, praying she might hear him.
“Daisy! I’m not leaving! I’ll wait out here as long as it takes!”
A man came striding out the door. For a brief second, Fitz thought it was Ash, but it wasn’t. Just his doppelganger.
“Excuse me, sir. What do you think you’re doing here?”
He looked the man over briefly. “I didn’t know Ash had a brother.”
The man glared at him. “He doesn’t.”
Fitz chuckled cynically. “He quite clearly does. Should I call you Mr. Black?”
The man barked a laugh and shrugged. “I suppose you could, Mr. Fitzwilliam, but that isn’t my name.”
“Ah, so she is here. I thought as much, but thank you for confirming, Mr... not black.”
Fitz jogged across the front of the house and shouted up to the windows again.
“Daisy! I love you!”
She marched out the front door, but her steps faltered at his declaration, one hand whipping up to her mouth and the other on her stomach. His heart stuttered. Lord but she was beautiful. He moved toward her, but the mystery man stepped between them, placed a firm hand on Fitz’s chest, and shook his head. Definitely Ash’s brother.
Fitz shifted so he could see Daisy around the man, but didn’t push past. “Daisy,” he said simply, looking directly into her eyes and placing a hand over his heart.
She fidgeted nervously, her fingers curling around one another. “Fitz.” He barely heard the word, but he knew what she’d said. He closed his eyes and allowed it to warm his heart.
“I’m never leaving you again, Daisy, unless you tell me that’s what you truly want.”
She approached slowly and placed a hand on the other man’s shoulder.
“It’s alright, Trent.”
“Are you sure? I can have him removed if you don’t want him here.”
“Good luck. He can be as bullheaded as your brother.”
“Ha! I knew you were his brother!”
She laughed, and the sound filled him with warmth.
The man shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Half-brother, but every bit as protective.”
Fitz didn’t doubt it, but the man was much younger, and not nearly as lethal as his older brother. Not yet, at least.
Fitz gave him a respectful nod. “I’m not here to cause problems.”
Trent scrutinized him for a moment before turning to Daisy. “I’ll be close if you need me.”
“Thank you, Trent.”
He finally moved himself out of the way. Now that he could see her clearly, there were shadows under her eyes and a weariness that enveloped her. She hadn’t been sleeping well.
“What are you doing here, Fitz?”
“Something I should have done a long time ago.” He realized he didn’t have his daisy. “Wait right here. Don’t move.” He sprinted back to the waiting hackney and reached inside to retrieve the wilted flower from the seat.
He rushed back and held it up for her. In truth, the tired state of the flower rather mirrored how she looked, so perhaps it was fitting. A representation of how well he’d taken care of them both. But it wasn’t going to stop him. He dropped to one knee before her.
“Daisy. I’ve been such a fool. When your sister passed and you became betrothed to my brother, I just assumed you would want him more than me because he was the heir. It was a better match for you, and it was what both of our families wanted. My heart couldn’t bear seeing you with him. I was too much of a coward to just tell you what I wanted or to fight for you. So I ran. I abandoned you, and I will always be sorry for that. I loved you then, and I love you still, but this time, I will not run, and I will not let you go without a fight. This is not a proposal of marriage, because I don't think you’re ready for that. But I want you to know that I am. I love you and I want you for my wife. I will wait for you as long as it takes, even if we both grow old. But I will not leave your side unless you tell me to go.”
She swatted him on the shoulder. “Of course I’ll marry you, you muttonheaded half-wit.” Tears welled in her eyes, but her smile shined with happiness. His brain couldn’t accept what she was saying.
“You will?” His pulse pounded in his ears as he struggled to believe what was happening.
She nodded animatedly. “Yes, of course I will. I love you and I always have.”
A celebratory cry ripped from his lips as he jumped to his feet. He picked her up and twirled her in a circle, her delighted laugh floating into his ear. He set her back on her feet and pressed his lips lightly to hers before wrapping his arms around her.
“Daisy,” he said quietly.
“Fitz.” She pressed a soft kiss against his neck.
“Yay!” A soft giggle and clapping sounded from nearby.
Trent was holding a little girl who was apparently celebrating their engagement. Her entire face lit with her smile.
He set the wriggling girl down, and she ran straight to Daisy, who picked her up. The girl turned a stern look on him. “You’d better not make her cry again.”
Daisy threw back her head and laughed. She kissed the girl on her cheek.
Fitz smiled and leaned in close. “I promise I’ll try my best to only make her smile from now on.”
The girl’s grin was back, and she nodded approvingly. At least they had her blessing.
“Fitz, this is Maggie.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Maggie. Thank you for taking such good care of Daisy.”
She giggled and nodded cheerfully. Daisy placed her back on the ground and sent her to the house where a nanny was waiting.
“I guess protectiveness runs in the family,” Trent said as he approached. “My sister can be quite formidable.”
Fitz chuckled. “As she should be. With brothers like you and Ash fighting her corner, she can be anything she wants to be.”
“It’s Uncle Ash,” Daisy corrected him.
“That’s good. He’s far too old to be her brother.”
“Well, since it would seem you are suddenly betrothed to someone in my care, I suppose I should introduce myself. Trent Gibson,” he said, holding out a hand. “I oversee Ash’s estate.”
He shook Trent’s hand and then pulled Daisy in against his side, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She loved him. He squeezed her again, still struggling to believe it was real. After years of looking for her, he’d thought he’d never see again. And now, she was going to be his wife.