Page 83 of A Raven Repents

Christina finally laughed. She hadn’t believed it either at first.

“Well, have you?” Lavinia asked, handing the card back to her.

“Of course I haven’t. I’m not sure he even wants me to share his house, let alone his bed.”

“Well, perhaps you should seduce him. It worked on you.”

“Lavinia!” Christina tipped her head toward Donoghue. When she looked, though, his cheeks were every bit as red as hers felt, and that eased her misgivings a bit. It probably wasn’t very charitable of her to take pleasure in his ignominy, but she did.

“What have you got to lose, Christina?”

The very words that had driven her to him in the first place. But Lavinia was right. If she did nothing, she’d never get him back. So what did she have to lose?

When she walked through the door, Giles was just coming down the stairs, looking handsome as always. Although she did miss his blue suits. He hadn’t worn one since the loss of his eye. Whether it was simply because he’d been working every night and that required the black, or if he’d given the blue ones up because of the injury, she couldn’t be sure.

“Did you enjoy your visit with Lavinia?”

“I did.” Warmth filled her cheeks. She could only pray Donoghue was discreet as he’d promised, and wouldn’t share the details of her conversation. “Where are you off to in the middle of the afternoon?”

“I have a meeting today.”

Of course. It was Thursday. “Are you ever going to have a night off again?”

“Ash is making me take tonight off, as it happens.”

“Good. You’ve been working a lot.”

He nodded, and she cursed herself for being a coward as he reached for his hat from Thistle. He cupped her left cheek and kissed the right. Just as he’d done every day since her father had hit her there, even though the injury had already healed. Then he turned for the door.

“Wait! Before you go.” Butterflies took flight in her stomach. This was her last chance. “Since you’re not working, do you think we might, perhaps, get some fish and chips this evening?”

His mouth turned up in a slow smile and he nodded. “I would like that very much, indeed.” He kissed her cheek, lingering just a bit longer this time.

It may have just been her imagination, but he seemed to stand a little straighter and step a little more lightly as he walked out the door.

Giles wanted to click his heels as he walked away from the house. He hadn’t been sure how to try and spend time with Christina on his night off, but she had provided the answer. Fish and chips would be the perfect thing.

He arrived a few minutes early for their weekly meeting. He seemed to have made a habit of it, but he liked enjoying the surroundings with no one else there. He went to the bar and poured three brandies, and a whisky, since Allister had been joining them lately. He was just setting them around the table when the others filed in.

“You’re looking awfully chipper today,” Fitz said, picking up his brandy and inhaling its aroma before taking a sip.

“I have a date with my wife this evening.”

“Make it a good one,” Allister said as he pulled out his chair.

“We’ve been kind of…” Giles waved a hand and pulled out his own chair. “Never mind, it’s just personal stuff. Nothing important.” He sat down with the rest of them.

“Personal stuff is important,” Ash said, placing his cane on top of the table.

Giles shrugged. “We’ve basically been living separate lives since my injury. I’ve just assumed she didn’t want anything to do with—” He gestured to his eyepatch. “But then today, before I left to come here, she asked if I’d take her for fish and chips tonight.” He knew his smile was giddy, but he couldn’t help it. He missed her. Desperately.

“Fish and chips?” Fitz said, shaking his head. “That’s not romantic.”

“It is for us.”

“You deserve some happy time together.” Ash’s smile was proud. They’d grown close over the past weeks. Ash had seen him at his very worst, and put up with his vitriol and bad temper, but never wavered in his support.

The back door opened and closed and Patrick came through the curtain. “Sorry I’m late.”