Page 9 of A Raven Repents

“Would you like me to help you undress?”

“I can manage.” Christina turned her back and pressed a hand to her chest. She probably should have told Giles about her birthmark. It was ugly and covered most of the left side of her chest, including her breast. Slowly, she removed her clothes, handing them to Winnie. She’d never had a lady’s maid, and it felt awkward undressing with her there.

Winnie’s gaze didn’t linger on the blemish, nor did she say anything, but it was impossible to hide. Would she mention it to Giles? Probably not. What kind of conversation could a maid possibly have with him that would lead to details about his wife’s body? And what did it even matter? They were married now. He was stuck with her, birthmark and all. Perhaps he would never even know it existed.

As she sank into the warm water, her tight muscles eased, and the faint scent of honeysuckle filled her nostrils. “Oh, that’s lovely. What did he tell you about me?” Christina asked.

“Not much, if I’m honest. Only that you’re his wife, and we’re to provide you with whatever you need.”

She inhaled the lovely aroma, once more, and stretched out in the large bathtub, while the woman, who was apparently her maid, prepared her clothes for the day. Perhaps being married to him wouldn’t be such a terrible thing. At least, not while he was away.

Chapter

Three

Giles arrived at the club a few minutes early for their Thursday meeting, and was relieved when Doyle let him in through the back door without any questions. He took a moment to look around at the space and simply take it all in. He gave a silent plea that this would all work out, and he wouldn’t lose the things that mattered most to him.

He went behind the bar and poured for everyone, depositing each glass in its designated place. They all had their usual seats and their usual drinks. But it didn’t feel like usual while he waited for the others to arrive. Ash was probably watching him from the balcony, but he was too much of a coward to look.

Right on time, the back door opened and closed, the sound causing his heart to skip a beat. Michael and Fitz came through the curtain, Ash right behind them.

Michael clapped him on the shoulder. “Got here early for once, eh?”

Giles forced a chuckle at his cousin’s teasing. Apparently, Ash hadn’t told them yet.

“At least you made yourself useful while you were waiting,” Fitz said, picking up his glass from the table and taking a drink.

Ash made eye contact with him briefly as they all settled around the table, but Giles couldn’t read him. Nothing new there.

Ash smiled and held up a telegram. “Before anything else, we have something to celebrate. As of the early hours of this morning, Patrick has a beautiful and healthy baby boy!”

They all cheered and toasted him, even though he wasn’t there. Their group was like family. Ash looked happy, and Giles prayed that perhaps the distraction meant he wouldn’t be called onto the carpet, after all.

But Ash's smile faded, and he sighed, as if in reply to the unspoken supplication. Dread wrapped around Giles’ stomach, and he swallowed the bile that was pushed up his throat.

“Unfortunately, we have some other things to discuss, which are not as joyous.” He turned his gaze on Giles. “Would you like to tell them, or shall I?”

A heavy silence enshrouded the table. It was probably better if he confessed the truth himself. And as succinctly as possible, before the tension had a chance to escalate further. “The night before last, I took some money out of the safe.”

He’d barely finished the sentence when Michael grabbed the front of his shirt, hauling him up, both of their chairs crashing onto the floor.

“Easy, Michael,” Ash said.

Michael dragged Giles across the room, until his back slammed against the wall, jarring a grunt from him. “It’s not what you think, Michael.”

“You stole from them?” Michael’s face was so close, the heat of his breath rushed over Giles’ cheek.

He shook his head desperately. “I was just borrowing⁠—”

Michael’s fist cut him off as it slammed into his stomach. Pain burst through him, his breath forcefully expelled from his lungs.

“That’s not our money!” Michael pointed toward the office as he yelled, then his fist plowed into Giles’ stomach again.

Giles groaned, still shaking his head and pushing desperately against Michael’s shoulders, begging him to stop. He struggled to even breathe; he certainly wasn’t capable of speech.

“That’s enough, Michael.” Ash’s voice was more forceful this time, and with a final shove, Michael let him go.

Giles collapsed onto his hands and knees, panting and moaning. He’d never been on the receiving end of Michael’s fists before. It wasn’t an experience he’d like to repeat. He coughed and slowly got to his feet, praying that he wouldn’t have to endure even more. Michael glared at him as he shuffled back to the table. He’d never seen his cousin so angry. Not at him, at least. Fitz sat, silently observing, probably wishing he could just disappear.