Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Sunshine seeped in around the curtains as Giles stared down at Christina.
Her eyelids were moving, and her lips twitching at the corners.
Hopefully it was a good dream. Unfortunately, she’d once again donned her nightgown while he’d slept.
He wouldn’t push her, but he’d sure like to see her body.
“I already know you’re beautiful,” he whispered.
His mind had created a picture of what she must look like, based on what he had felt.
And if he had to guess, her nipples probably matched her beautifully pink lips, and the flesh between her thighs was just a shade darker.
He donned his robe and crossed the hall before his thoughts went any further down that path. Unlike his mother, Michael had requested two rooms be made up for them, but Giles had only used this one for dressing. He’d never imagined how nice it would be to sleep with his wife in his arms.
“Good morning, sir,” Thistle said when he entered.
He was efficient, as ever, having him shaved and dressed in short order.
“Will you get us packed, please, Thistle?”
“Are we leaving?”
Giles nodded. “With the baby already born, and everyone well, we’ll only be in the way. Besides, I have work to get back to.”
“I’ll see to it, sir.”
Giles went in search of the one person he still needed to apologize to, and found him waiting outside Belle’s chambers.
The sight triggered a vague memory of asking if he was the father.
Isaac must not have shared that particular piece of information, or Michael definitely would have punched him last night.
“Good morning, Isaac.”
“Good morning, sir. I’m sorry about last night.”
“You certainly have nothing to apologize for. I hope Christina’s antics didn’t land you in trouble.”
Isaac shook his head. “He trusts me these days.”
“As he should. How is Belle?”
“She’s very well this morning. Has her color back, and her spirit.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Are you looking for Michael? I can let him know, if you’d like.”
“No, it was you I came for. I owe you an apology. And probably a thank you, as well. I was a drunken fool, and you made sure I didn’t get myself killed somewhere.
I’m afraid you saw me at my worst. You probably should have given me a beating after the way I treated Christina, and you.
I’m embarrassed of my behavior, and I’m sorry. ”
“I appreciate that.”
“I also vaguely remember saying something horribly offensive, and inappropriate, and I’m grateful that you didn’t repeat it.”
“I know you wouldn’t have said it sober. I just hope you don’t believe it’s true. Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s not like that between us.”
He nodded, feeling like a lout. “It was disrespectful to you and to Belle, and I’m sorry.” Giles held out a hand. “I hope we can move forward without any hard feelings.”
Isaac gave him a nod and shook the offered hand.
“They’re lucky to have you, Isaac.”
That evening, after returning to London, Giles was loath to leave his wife.
He wanted to spend the night making love to her.
But he needed to talk to Ash. Not to mention, with everyone else gone, Ash and Fitz had been carrying the entire responsibility of the club.
It was time for him to step up in any way they’d let him.
“It will be the wee hours of the morning by the time I get back. So get some sleep.” He placed his hat on his head.
“Is this how it’s going to be from now on? You’ll be working at night?”
“Most nights.”
“I guess I’ll have to get used to sleeping alone again.”
He didn’t like the sound of that either. “You can still sleep in my bed if you’d like, and I’ll climb in next to you when I get home.” He squeezed her hands. “Are you going to be alright?”
“Of course I will. Go take care of your club, Mr. Henderson.” She pushed him toward the door. “I’ll be here when you get back.”
It was hard to believe how much things had changed in a few short days. But as much as he hated leaving his wife, The Raven’s Den welcomed him as he walked through its doors. Ash and Fitz were distributing cash and chips to the dealers, and the musicians were tuning their instruments in the corner.
“Evening, chaps,” he said to his partners, giving them a nod. “Put me to work wherever you need me. I am here for the night.”
Ash smiled approvingly. “The ladies should be coming down soon, and when I’ve finished here, I want to hear about Michael and my new niece, so I’ll meet you on the balcony.”
O’Connell was unlocking the door to the bridge that connected to Raven House. He stood at the far end while the ladies crossed over.
“Good evening, ladies,” Giles said, welcoming them to the club.
“I keep hearing that you got married,” Sophie said as she came through. “Daisy and Gwen both say they’ve met her, but I’m not sure I believe it. I want to see the woman who finally snatched you up.”
“I had no idea I was the topic of gossip around here. I know it’s hard to believe a woman agreed to marry me, but I promise to bring her in soon, and put your doubts to rest.”
When they were all through, O’Connell locked both doors and trotted down the stairs to take up his post at the curtain.
Allister was on the balcony, watching over the floor below. “What are you grinning at?” he asked when he looked over his shoulder.
Giles shrugged and went to stand beside him. “I’m just appreciating how fortunate I am. Do you think there’s a better place to work than this?”
“Not in my experience, but I don’t expect you would be working at all if it weren’t for this.”
“Fair enough. But I love it, all the same.”
“So,” Ash said when he walked through the door. “Tell me about her.”
“She’s beautiful. She has Belle’s dark hair. And Michael is beyond smitten.”
A proud smile grew on his lips. “How long do you think it will be before I can start to spoil her?”
“You mean before you can send her a pony?”
Ash shrugged. “And what about Belle?”
“I didn’t actually see her, but as of this morning, Isaac said she had her color back, and her spirit. So I suppose that means she’s already giving Michael hell.”
“Good,” Ash said with a nod. “Michael didn’t mention anything besides the baby, but since you’re here, I assume you were able to talk to him?”
“He’s in.”
Determination filled Ash’s eyes. “I’ll move forward with the purchase then. Thank you, Giles. I appreciate you going up to take care of that.”
“Thank you for trusting me with it. Although I should confess that Christina heard most of it.”
“You told her?”
“She eavesdropped at the door. She was afraid Michael was going to give me a beating.”
Ash didn’t look angry or disappointed. In fact, his brow raised and a smile turned up his mouth. “Protective of you, is she?”
“It would seem so, even if I am undeserving of it.”
“Can we trust her not to tell her father?”
“I believe so.” If it were up to him, she’d never see the man again, anyway.
“And where is she tonight?”
“At home.”
“Which home?”
“My townhouse. I won’t be taking her back to the country unless I’m with her.”
Ash nodded his approval. “Is she alone?”
“She’s not alone. Thistle and her maid, Winnie, are there.”
“No security, though?”
“Do you think that’s necessary? We don’t live in Raven Row.”
“Yes, but you’re still an owner here. And with the history with her father…”
“I hadn’t considered that. Do we have anyone we can spare?”
Ash waved his cane toward Allister. The man sighed and scrubbed a hand across his forehead. “For tonight, I’m sure we could send someone, but we don’t have enough men for a good permanent solution. My previous colleague, Timms, would be a good choice for anything we might need here, though.”
“The Intelligence Services are going to start investigating me if I keep poaching their agents.”
“You don’t think they already have a file on you?” Allister said incredulously.
“Do they?”
“After Fogg?”
Giles hadn’t realized Fogg came from the Intelligence Services. That explained why he was so good at tracking people down.
Ash shrugged. “Bring him in then. I’ll be happy to interview him. And if you’re recommending him, I trust he’s good.”
“He’s good. For tonight, I’ll put Doyle at the back door and we’ll send Donoghue over to keep an eye.”
“Thank you, Allister.” Giles was grateful to have his help.
The man gave a quick nod before going to arrange it.
“Why don’t you go down and relieve Fitz? Daisy is feeling a little under the weather tonight. Tell him to go home.”
“Is she ill?”
Ash shrugged. “Perhaps she’s pregnant.”
“You’re going to have more nieces and nephews than you know what to do with.”
He smiled. “Good. I hope I do.”
“Do you want Fitz back for closing time?”
“No.” Ash tapped his cane on top of his shoe. “I want you to help me tonight.”
Gratitude nearly overwhelmed him. He nodded. It wasn’t keys, but it was probably more confidence than he deserved. Ash wouldn’t want a thank you, so he simply squeezed his shoulder as he left the room.
The enchantment he felt did not wane as the evening went on.
He spent time conversing with every table, cheering the men when they won, and giving sympathy when they lost. He hardly felt the hours pass.
Only Ash’s sudden appearance on the gaming floor made him realize it was closing time.
With a nod, he went up to see the ladies off for the night.
But standing shoulder to shoulder, making sure every shilling and chip was accounted for, was the best part of the whole night.
Or at least it was until he approached his townhouse. His lips turned up in an unconscious smile. Christina was in there. Quite possibly in his bed.
Christina had tried to wait up for Giles, but sleep eventually won out. Nevertheless, the pleasure he brought her upon his return was well worth being woken up for. By the time they finished, darkness was beginning to relent to the whispers of daylight.