Page 44 of A Raven Repents

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He inclined his head respectfully.

“Ash is the reason this whole place exists.” Her husband raised a goading brow. “Isn’t that right, old chap?”

“I’m certainly the man who holds the keys.”

“Oof. Straight for the jugular?”

Guilt slithered in at the reminder that he’d lost his keys because of her. “I’m not sure he’s the one who should be punished. I’m the reason he took that money.”

“Whoa,” Giles said, holding up his hands. “Are you trying to get me signed up for another beating? That is the opposite of what I said.”

“I know it is, but it’s still true.”

Giles shook his head and looked at her with sad eyes. “No it isn’t.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. “You don’t need to protect me, Christina.”

There was a quiet squeal, and Christina turned to see a woman hurrying toward them. “You must be the new addition to the raven wives’ club!” She clapped her hands together excitedly. “I’m Daisy.” The woman threw her arms around Christina.

When she was free, she looked back at Giles for an explanation. “What is the raven wives’ club?”

He shrugged. “I’m afraid Daisy is going to have to explain that to you.”

Daisy rolled her eyes at him. “We call all of the partners ravens. Ash, Patrick, Michael, Giles, and Fitz, my husband. And there are certain things that come with being married to them that most women wouldn’t understand. Like the constant worrying and around the clock security.”

That only created more confusion. She definitely didn’t have those things. “I didn’t realize I was joining a club.”

Everyone around her laughed, but was she supposed to laugh with them? She wasn’t entirely sure the woman wasn’t simply mad, and they were all just placating her delusions.

“Daisy, this is my wife, Christina.”

“I’m so happy to meet you, Christina.” She held out a hand. “Let’s go up and find Gwen. We’ll show you around Raven Row while the men have their meeting.”

“Is that alright?” she asked Giles.

“Only a fool would argue with Daisy.”

“We’ll make sure she’s taken care of, Giles. And McKinnon will be with us, so you’ve no need to worry.”

Nervously, she took Daisy’s hand, but finally, she was going to learn something about this mysterious part of her husband’s life.

Chapter

Eleven

“You’re looking well today,” Ash said, after the ladies disappeared up the stairs. “I dare say, perhaps even smitten.”

“To no one’s surprise more than mine. I’m certainly well on my way, if I’m not already there. But what do I do about this infernal guilt? I was awful to her, Ash, and I can’t undo that.”

He breathed a long sigh. “I’m probably the very worst person to ask. I’ve built an entire empire to try to assuage mine, and it’s still there. But I have found, the more positive things I do, the less I can hear the clamor of the sins of my past.”

It was hard to imagine Ash committing any sins. Or at least, ones he’d feel guilty about. He was such a good man. The one that kept the rest of them in line.

“I’m glad you’re here today, Giles. We have important business to discuss. Fitz and Patrick are already waiting, so let’s head over.”

“Patrick is back?”

“He’s just here for the meeting.”

Cold whispered through his veins. “You’re not expelling me, are you?”