Page 16 of A Raven Repents

“No,” he said irritatedly. He took a breath. “I’m sorry, Thistle. Forgive my rudeness.” It wasn’t like Giles to be grumpy. “None of this is your fault. I’ve made a handful of poor decisions of late, and it’s wearing on me.”

He went back to the tie. “Your father used to say, ‘I can’t change what I did yesterday. I can only change what I will do today.’”

After his jacket was settled into place, Giles rested a hand on Thistle’s shoulder. “Thanks, old chap. I don’t remember much of him, and I appreciate receiving his words of wisdom through you.”

With his smile back in place, he walked to The Raven’s Den, even though heavy clouds hid the sun. He entered through the back door just as Ash and Fitz came from upstairs. He still had an amazing life. That hadn’t changed. He just needed to try harder to remember.

He poured their drinks and carried them to the table, sitting in his usual seat.

“I’m glad to see you smiling again,” Ash said, taking a sip of his brandy.

“I remembered how lucky I am to be here. Well, that, and I probably won’t be getting a beating at this meeting.”

“Speaking of Michael,” Ash said, holding up a telegram. “This was just delivered. I haven’t even opened it yet.”

As he read, his brow furrowed.

“Is everything alright?”

Ash folded it back up when he finished. “Probably, but he’s worried about Belle.”

“That’s what we do as husbands,” Fitz said.

It wasn’t meant as a barb, but it felt like one. Giles sat there, utterly clueless about his own wife’s welfare.

“I think you should go up there, Giles,” Ash said with a sigh. “He shouldn’t be alone right now.”

“Are you just using it as an excuse to get rid of me?”

“If I wanted to get rid of you, there would be no ambiguity.”

That was undoubtedly true. “I don’t think Michael will want me up there, Ash. We didn’t part on the best of terms.”

“All the more reason you need to go.”

Giles breathed out something between a groan and sigh. Michael’s estate was the second-last place he wanted to be. Glenwood bordered his own land, which would put him a stone’s throw from his wife.

“Lavinia!” Christina skidded to a halt in the foyer, just as she was about to throw her arms around her friend. Lavinia did not look happy. Not that it should come as a surprise. “Do you mind if we talk outside?” It was the only place they wouldn’t have an audience.

Lavinia merely shrugged.

Christina didn’t know where to start, or what to say. Eventually, they sat on opposite benches in the back garden. “I’m sorry, Lavinia. I have so much to tell you, and I can only hope you won’t hate me.”

“You’re my dearest friend, Christina. I’ll never hate you, even if I am a bit miffed.”

“You’ve every right to be.”

“Indeed I do. You married without even telling me. How long has he been courting you?”

Christina laughed, but a single tear ran down her cheek. “There was no courtship, Lavinia.” She swiped the tear away. “My father has debts.”

“You married him for his money?”

“That’s not exactly how it happened.” She shrugged. “But in some ways, I suppose I did.”

Lavinia raised her brow and waited for more.

“In order to keep the creditors at bay, my father and I developed a scheme.” Shame washed over her. What would her friend think of her? “I would lure men into a private room, and he would discover us and demand recompense.”