Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Giles was relieved to see Thistle waiting for him on the train platform. “I wasn’t sure my telegram would arrive early enough for you to make the train.”
The man merely raised a perturbed brow.
“Are you going to make me grovel too? I am sorry, Thistle. I was so caught up in my own nonsense, I neglected everyone and everything around me. I have missed you, though. I even had to take a cold bath.”
The corner of Thistle’s lips twitched ever so slightly and he reached for Giles’ bag. “It’s the least you deserve after leaving me there with my sister.”
“I promise to make it up to you.”
Giles settled himself across from his wife.
Winnie and Thistle were traveling with them, but elsewhere on the train.
He wanted to have some privacy with her.
Wanted a chance to get to know her a bit more.
This woman that he’d be spending the rest of his life with.
The reality of that was still somewhat daunting.
The train started into motion, and she didn’t waste any time. “Now will you tell me about your club?”
“The Raven’s Den.” Thinking about the place was enough to conjure a smile.
“Is it still your club if you’ve had your keys confiscated?”
“I’ve been assured I’m still a partner. And thank God for that because I love the place, and my partners, and I don’t know what I would do without any of it.”
“I can see that. What exactly is it?”
“It’s a few things, really. The most obvious one is a gaming hell.”
“The kind of place my father would go?”
“Perhaps, but he’s never been in, as far as I know. He seems to prefer smaller venues. Besides, we don’t lend to men who can’t afford it.”
“And what is it besides a gaming hell?”
“It’s a refuge for women.”
Not surprisingly, Christina’s brow furrowed. It was unexpected to have a place that catered to the vices of men also act as a safe place for women in need.
“The Lady Ravens. We bring in women who have nowhere else to go. We give them safety and security. We provide opportunities to learn skills and help to place them into positions giving them agency over their own lives. In return, they dance in our club. Hence my consequences for taking money out of the safe. That money is there for them.”
She stared at him, but she still said nothing.
“Have I shocked you?”
“Surprised me.” Her gaze scoured his face, assessing him as if she was seeing him for the first time. “Are the women treated well?”
The question stung, but it was warranted. “Yes. Very well. Much better than I’ve treated you, I’m ashamed to say.”
“You don’t need to feel guilty, Giles. I was the one who made the first move that started this whole thing into motion.
You were understandably angry with me, but you didn’t abuse me, or insist on your rights as my husband.
You provided me with a comfortable place to live, a new wardrobe, a maid, and even enough money to redecorate your house. ”
He chuckled. She was teasing him again. At least she didn’t seem to be afraid of him. For that he was grateful. “Did you really have to do my bedroom, though?”
“Yes. It was the drabbest room of all.”
“And what if I like drab?”
She shrugged. “You weren’t there to tell me that.”
“That’s fair.”
“Besides, I don’t think you do. Blue suits that accentuate your blue eyes?”
“You’ve noticed?” She may have noticed his eyes, but it was her lips he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from. They’d summoned him from the first moment he’d seen her. Pink, luscious, and irresistibly inviting.
“Of course I did. A woman could lose herself in those eyes. But you already know that.”
“Are you accusing me of vanity?”
“If the shoe fits.”
Apparently, he’d married a woman who was not afraid to call out his flaws. Probably exactly what he needed. But at least she appreciated the color of his eyes.
“I wasn’t too drunk to remember sending that money, by the way. It was my money, but I didn’t, in fact, send it. That was my partner, Ash.”
“Why would your partner send money to me?”
Giles sighed. “He was stepping in to protect you, from me. Making sure that you have agency. That’s what we’re supposed to do, after all. And he knew that I had failed.”
“But I’ve never even met him.”
“That doesn’t matter. In becoming my wife, you became part of my family, and every one of my partners will protect you. Even from me, if it comes to that.”
Her confusion was evident, but he hoped the knowledge that there were better men than him watching over her might bring her some sort of comfort.
The journey to Bournemouth wasn’t nearly as disastrous as he’d feared it would be.
To his surprise, he was growing to like his wife.
As they traveled, her fear of him eased, and her true personality slowly came through.
She was smart, funny, and forthright. Each time she teased him or laughed with him, his hope grew.
Perhaps they could find a way through this mess.
When the front door of his mother’s home opened, the butler paused for a moment before addressing him with a nod. “Mr. Henderson.”
“Good afternoon, Turner. Is my mother at home?”
“I believe she is.”
“Is she terribly vexed with me?” Giles asked quietly.
“I’m sure it isn’t my place to comment. But yes, she is,” he added in a whisper.
Giles chuckled. “Thank you for the warning, old chap.”
The man stepped aside, inviting them in. “She’s taking her daily dose of sea air on the veranda.”
Giles held out a hand for Christina. “Into the dragon’s lair we go.” Her fingers were cold and she nibbled nervously on her bottom lip. “No need to worry. She will love you. In fact, I’m hoping that will save me from some of her venom.” He winked.
As he stepped onto the veranda, his mother turned, a glass of one of her various infusions in hand. “I wondered when you’d finally pluck up the courage to make an appearance.”
“I know.” He walked to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ve made a whole slew of poor choices lately, but I’m hoping you may be able to forgive me.”
“Forgive you for marrying, without even telling me?”
“I’m afraid that’s my fault,” Christina said from behind him.
“Mother.” He held out an arm, inviting Christina to come closer. “This is my wife, Christina.”
His mother’s gaze swept over her, a smile growing on her lips. “How did he manage to convince a woman with beauty like yours to put up with him for the rest of your life?”
Christina blushed. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Henderson.”
“You, young man, may go to your room, and think about what you’ve done. Christina and I are going to get to know one another.”
“Am I not even allowed a chance to defend myself?”
His mother raised a stern brow, and he knew better than to argue. He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m going.”
Christina looked slightly terrified. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “It’s me she’s upset with. Not you.”
Slowly, he made his way up to his room. He sighed as shame settled in his gut. It wasn’t his mother’s anger he was most afraid of, it was her disappointment.
Mrs. Henderson’s smile was kind as it settled on Christina.
“Come over here so you can see the reason I love it here so much.” She held out an arm and ushered Christina to the far end of the veranda.
“You can see the sea from here.” She breathed in deeply.
“And you can smell it. This place is good for my soul.”
Christina closed her eyes and breathed in the aroma. It was lovely. She felt as if the sea was welcoming her. No wonder his mother liked it here. For a few minutes, they simply shared the experience, not speaking a word.
“There won’t be very many more of these warm days left this year. I can feel autumn in the air, so I have to enjoy every minute of this while it lasts.”
She walked to the table and poured a glass from whatever was in the pitcher and handed it to Christina. “It’s an infusion of ginger and lemongrass, sweetened with honey. I prefer it to be room-temperature rather than hot.”
Christina took a sip. It was unlike anything she’d tasted before.
“I know it’s not for everyone, so if you don’t like it, I’ll ring for tea.”
“It’s delightful. It’s just something new for me.”
“It’s my favorite variety right now.”
She gestured toward a chair and settled herself into the one opposite.
“So, the gossip rags say that you must have seduced my son to get him to run away with you.”
A flash of heat filled her cheeks. What was she supposed to say to that?
“Gossip rags often lie, so what’s the truth of it? Did he act inappropriately with you?”
Christina paused to consider her response. “Is that why you sent him away? Hoping I might betray him?” She took a sip of her drink. She liked it a bit more with each taste. “He’s never been anything but a gentleman.” At least in that regard.
“Even still?”
“Forgive me for being disagreeable, but I don’t believe that is any of your concern.” After her father, she’d learned her lesson about sharing intimate details.
The woman’s lips turned up in a slow smile and she raised her glass in salute. “Beautiful and self-assured. But does he really deserve such loyalty?”
Christina laughed softly. “I don’t know. But I’m starting to think he might.” She steered the conversation away from their marriage. “Do you always live here in Bournemouth?”
She nodded. “Mostly. I find it difficult to go back to the house where I lost my husband. Walking into those same surroundings just takes me right back to that day, and my heart still breaks.” His mother breathed a wistful sigh.
“I don’t know if it will make any difference, but I redecorated. It doesn't look anything like it did.”
“I’m surprised Giles allowed that. He’s always been stubborn about changing any of it from the way his father would have liked it.”
Christina’s heart stumbled. “He wasn’t there to stop me. I did it mostly out of spite after he abandoned me there. I figured he’d be annoyed by it, but it never occurred to me that it might hurt him in some way.”
“Well, if he abandoned you, it was the least he deserved.”
She looked down at the liquid in her glass. “I probably shouldn’t have said that.”
“You don’t need to protect him from me, dear. I’m his mother. I know him better than anyone else in the world.”
Christina met her gaze. “He said you’re going to tan his hide.”
“I probably should. It would seem he got the pair of you into a right mess.”
“It wasn’t really his fault. But he wouldn’t have to be in this mess with me, if he wasn’t so stubborn.”
His mother chuckled. “I should have given him Stubborn as his middle name. He doesn’t know any other way to be.”
Christina shrugged. “I’m not sure I do either.”
“Good, then hopefully he’s met his match.”
Christina liked his mother. They went for a long stroll, and by the time they returned, the dining table was set and ready for them. She sat in the chair that was held out for her. It was a small table, with just six chairs around it. His mother must not entertain large groups.
Not long after they were seated, Giles entered. Christina couldn’t deny that he was handsome. And not just his eyes. He was tall, with broad shoulders that filled out his blue jacket perfectly, and dimples that graced his cheeks when he smiled.
“Am I allowed out of my room now?”
“Have you been sufficiently chastened?” his mother asked.
“I believe so.”
“Well then, I suppose I’ll allow you to dine with us.”
He sat down in the chair across from Christina. “Did you enjoy your time with my mother?”
“I did.”
He shook out his napkin and placed it on his lap. “I told you she’d be nice to you.”
“Of course I’ve been nice to her. After all these years, I finally have a daughter.”
Christina nearly dropped her glass. She stared at Mrs. Henderson. Did she really think of her as a daughter?
She reached for Christina’s hand. “I’m not trying to take over for your own mother, of course. But I’ve always wanted a daughter.”
“My mother passed when I was nine.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to say something to upset you. I’m just a doddering old woman. Ignore me.”
“You didn’t upset me. I’d be thrilled to have a mother again.”
The woman squeezed her hand and smiled brightly. “You have one.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Henderson.”
“Julia,” she corrected. “We wouldn’t want any confusion since we’re both Mrs. Henderson now.”
“Thank you, Julia.” She couldn’t stop smiling through the rest of the meal. Julia asked her endless questions, her favorite color, her hobbies. It was as if she wanted to know everything there was to know about her.
Giles sat quietly most of the time but always watching. The talk continued long after the food was gone, but eventually, her yawn brought a close to everything.
“Of course you’re tired after a long day. I’ve kept you up far too late with my incessant chatter.” Julia swallowed the last of her wine and stood. “Goodnight, Christina.”
“Goodnight.”
“And don’t think you’re getting off so easily,” Julia said, pointing at her son. “Escort your wife up, but then I’d like a few minutes with you.”
A slight smile still turned up his lips as he inclined his head. “Yes, Mother.”