Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Christina was at such a loss. Giles wanted nothing to do with her, and she didn’t know how to fix it.
Eventually, she wrote to his mother for advice, and this morning, a note arrived with her response.
She was too afraid to open it on her own.
Perhaps that was silly, but she needed Lavinia’s support with her.
So she left Giles a note while he was sleeping, and went to visit her.
Donoghue in tow, of course. These days she was never allowed to be alone outside of the house, and apparently, that was just how it would be forever now.
Lavinia opened the door herself and threw her arms around Christina, before pulling her along to the sitting room.
Donoghue followed, even there, but kept a respectful distance.
He’d probably been told about her previous disappearance from this house and didn’t want to risk it.
But she wasn’t running away this time. This time, she was trying to get her husband back.
“Am I supposed to offer him tea?” Lavinia whispered.
“Would you like some tea, Donoghue?” Christina asked, already knowing he wouldn’t accept.
“No, thank you, Mrs. Henderson.”
The last time they had a talk like this, they met at a tea shop, and Donoghue waited outside. That’s when Lavinia had suggested writing to Giles’ mother. Christina took a sip of her tea before placing it on the table and pulling out the note.
“We’re going to be discussing a very personal correspondence, Donoghue.”
He nodded. “I cannot leave you, I’m afraid. But I assure you, you’ll have my utmost discretion.”
Perhaps they should have met at a tea shop again, but it was too late now. “So be it,” she said with a shrug, opening the envelope.
Have you tried seducing him?
She read the single line and then turned the card over, looking for more.
“Well?” Lavinia’s eyes were wide as she waited to hear what it said. Christina merely handed it to her.
Lavinia gasped before doubling over with laughter. Perhaps Christina should be just as amused, but she wasn’t. It felt like his mother was making a joke of it.
Lavinia wiped her tears when she sat up. “I can’t believe that came from his mother.”
“It seems to be a recurring sentiment for her.”
Lavinia clapped a hand over her mouth. “What does that mean?”
She shouldn’t mention it in front of Donoghue, but why not embarrass the lot of them? “When we stayed with her in Bournemouth, she asked Giles if he needed advice on how to seduce me.”
“She didn’t!”
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.”
“I didn’t know you were coming. I’ll pour another glass,” Giles said, but Patrick pushed him back down by his shoulders.
“I know where the bar is.”
“Thank you for coming,” Ash said as Patrick sat down with his drink.
“I’m planning on working tonight, if you want me.” He pulled out a coin and began to spin it on top of the table.
“We’ll be glad to have you.” Ash gave him a nod.
Giles leaned over and spoke to Fitz. “I finally have a prop,” he said, tapping on his eyepatch.
Fitz choked on his drink, spraying a few drops of it onto the table. It took him a minute to get his laughing and coughing under control. “Apologies,” he said, looking at Giles from the corner of his eye.
“Now, onto business.” Ash pulled a packet of papers from his breast pocket. “As of this morning, we are the official owners of the building which houses Maison Rouge.”
A cheer went around the table and they all raised their glasses.
“When do we get to close it down?” Patrick asked.
“Not yet.” Ash sipped his brandy. “Giles needs some time to recover, Michael needs a little more time with Belle, and we need a few more security men. We won’t act until we’re ready to take on the women who will need us. Scattering them into the wind won’t help.”
An hour later, Giles caught himself whistling a few times on his way home from the Den. He was so excited that she wanted to spend time with him, he didn’t even care that Brennan was still following him.
Before going inside, he turned to face Brennan. "I don’t want to risk Christina’s safety by sending you home, but I need Donoghue and you to be especially discreet tonight.”
Brennan nodded. “Understood.”
Giles sent him around back for the carriage before going inside.
“Are you ready?” he asked when he found Christina in the sitting room.
She looked up at him, and her smile made his heart stumble. He hadn’t seen it nearly enough recently. “Yes. I’ve been putting off eating so I can enjoy the delicious fish.”
“Thistle!” The man appeared almost immediately from the hall. He was always lurking. “My wife requires her coat.”
“I am capable of retrieving it myself. Although, I’m not sure it’s necessary.”
“It’s what I pay him for. And it is necessary. The evenings have been growing chilly, and I don’t want to have to give up my own.”
His carriage was waiting when they walked outside, Brennan and Donoghue both up top.
“You don’t want to walk?” She looked disappointed.
“It’s quite a distance from here. I thought perhaps we’d do the walking after we acquire our food. If you’d like, we can even eat in the park this time.”
Thankfully, her smile returned. “That sounds delightful.”
He opened the door and helped her inside, sitting down beside her. With a thump on the roof, the carriage began to move. She reached out a hand, and he happily held it. They didn’t talk much, but it didn’t matter. Her smile was beautiful and wonderful and just what his heart needed.
God, he’d missed her.
When they reached the entrance to the alley, he helped Christina down, and an excited sparkle filled her eyes. “I can’t wait.” She squeezed his hand and wiggled it in her excitement. He nearly wept with the joy it brought him to see her so animated.
Brennan followed them, but did as he’d asked, keeping his distance, and staying mostly out of sight. The alley was quiet as they walked down. Granted, this wasn’t his usual day or time, but he always got his shoes shined when he came down here.
He knocked on Arthur’s window.
“Mr. Henderson!” His wide smile faltered when his gaze landed on the eyepatch. “I had hoped the rumors weren’t true.”
“I’m afraid they are.”
“I’m sorry for it.” He shook his head with a sigh. “I see you brought your beautiful wife with you again.”
She pressed herself against his side. “He’s not allowed to indulge in your delicious food without me anymore.”
Pride filled Arthur’s smile. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mrs. Henderson.”
“No Johnny today?” Giles asked.
Arthur leaned out the window and looked up the alley. “He’s around somewhere.”
“Make it three orders, then. In fact, make it four. I’ve got company with me this time.” He nodded toward the end of the alley where Brennan stood.
“Mr. Henderson!” The boy ran from the far end of the alley, as if the promise of food had summoned him.
Giles pointed a finger at Brennan to tell him to stay put.
He’d think the boy was a threat. Johnny skidded to a halt in front of Giles, and when he looked up, he stumbled back a step. “What happened to your eye?”
“Johnny!” Arthur chastised. “Where are your manners?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be impertinent. I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“It’s alright. I got hurt.”
He gave a quiet nod. “I won’t pester you tonight.”
“Just because I have a patch on my eye, doesn’t mean my shoes don’t need a shine.”
His smile crept back, and with a nod, he dropped his box into place. Giles rested his foot on top and the boy got to work.
“You’re a good lad, Johnny.” He handed the boy double what he usually paid, and his eyes grew wide.
“Thank you, sir.”
“There will be some food for you in a few minutes, so don’t go too far.”
“Thank you, sir,” Johnny said again.
He needed to figure out a way to help the boy’s family. A few shillings, and a meal here and there, wasn’t enough. Giles certainly had the means to do more. And he would. But that was not a problem for tonight. Tonight, Christina was the only thing that mattered.
Arthur handed the food out the window, and Giles gave one to Johnny. Christina held out her hand. “I’ll take one to Brennan."
She ran ahead, and by the looks of it, gave him some stern words before handing it over. Giles chuckled. Hopefully she was warning him to keep his distance, as well.
Shortly after they left the alley, fish and chips in hand, she broke off a piece of hers and held it to his lips. He snarled and pretended to bite her. She squealed, but then laughter followed.
“Beast,” she said, swatting his chest playfully.
He opened his mouth, but she hesitated to feed him.
“I’ll be nice. I promise.”
“You’d better be, or I’ll just eat it myself.”
He felt like a baby bird, standing there with his mouth agape. But it was worth it when her fingers finally touched his lips. He broke off a piece and fed it to her, in turn. Watching her lips around his fingers made him desperate to kiss her.
“The park is right over there.”
They settled onto a bench to enjoy their food.
“Thank you for this,” she said, holding up her paper cone. “It might be my favorite thing now.”
“I’m glad you enjoy it.” The food was good, no doubt about that. But he was enjoying her company far more. He hadn’t been sure they’d be able to rekindle a friendship. He still wasn’t sure she could ever want more with him again, but if this was all he ever had, it would be enough.
When they finished, she lifted his arm over her and snuggled against him. “I’m glad you insisted on a coat.”
He pulled her closer. “If you’re cold, I’m sure Donoghue is close by with the carriage.”
She shook her head against his shoulder. “Don’t remind me. I’ve been pretending it’s just the two of us, and I want to enjoy the colors of the sunset with you.”
“I won’t argue with that.” He pulled her in a little tighter.
Gold became orange, then salmon, until it faded to indigo and darkness slowly crept in around them. He could have stayed like that forever, just holding her. But she had to be getting cold. The street lamps were brought to life one by one, glowing just enough to light their way home.
“Are you ready?” he asked her.
“I suppose.”
She continued to hold his hand all the way home. He led her upstairs to her chambers. “Thank you for a most enjoyable evening.” It was such an understatement, but he wasn’t sure how to put what he was feeling into words. He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Goodnight, Christina.”