Chapter 11 #2
“I’ve never had that before.” She had heard of it, and was always up for trying something new.
“It will be a treat, then. It’s a secret favorite of mine.”
“In that case, I definitely want to try it. I find I quite like learning about your secrets.”
He hooked her elbow and turned her in the opposite direction. “I just happen to know the place with the best fish and chips in London, but it’s a bit of a walk. Would you prefer I hailed a cab?”
“No.” It was the perfect opportunity for her to pass a little extra time. “I think I’d enjoy walking with you.”
His gaze lingered on hers, the evening sunlight shimmering in his blue eyes like falling snowflakes on a winter’s day.
He looked happy. It was probably more to do with whatever had been discussed in his meeting, but she liked to think it was at least partly because he was with her.
She was certainly beginning to enjoy his presence.
He swung their hands over her head, twirling her in a circle, and she laughed.
“Careful,” she warned him. “I’m clumsy, and liable to trip over my own feet and fall flat on my face.”
“I won’t let you fall, sweetheart.”
Her heart gave another flutter, the fickle thing. Barely three days ago, she was running away from him, and now.... She needed to get her mind onto something else. “Can you tell me about your meeting? Or is it confidential?”
“This one actually was about things I can’t share just yet. But, I can tell you that I got to vote, and I was tasked with delivering important information to my cousin. Surely those are both good signs for my future within the partnership.”
“That does sound promising.” His partnership obviously brought him joy.
“Are you scandalized by this side of my life? Seeing that you really are married to the owner of a gaming hell?”
“Impressed, actually. The whole thing seems incredible. And everyone I’ve met has been kind and welcoming.” And hearing all those men call him boss, and showing him such respect, made her strangely proud. Not to mention the women who obviously trusted him.
“Good. I’m glad to hear they’ve treated you well. But are you still impressed now that I’m leading you down a dark alley to get our dinner?”
She’d never been in a place quite like it. It smelled damp, and the sun’s angle didn’t allow its warmth to reach inside, so the air carried a chill.
A boy of no more than ten ran over and looked up at Giles. “Would you like me to shine your shoes tonight, sir?”
“I’d like that very much.”
His answer surprised her. She’d expected him to shoo the boy away. Her father certainly would have. But instead, Giles smiled at him.
The boy crouched and set down a small box for Giles to rest his foot on, while he buffed the black leather to a perfect shine. After he finished with the second one Giles handed him a few coins.
“Stay close and I’ll get an extra order of fish for you and your brother.”
This wasn’t the first time, then. He knew the boy.
“Thank you, sir!” A wide grin grew on the boy’s face and he pressed himself against the wall out of the way.
Giles stepped up to what looked like a random window and tapped twice. A moment later, a man with messy grey hair pushed it open. “Good evening, Mr. Henderson!”
“Good evening, Arthur.”
“He hasn’t been hassling you, has he?” He gestured to the boy.
“Not at all. My shoes were in need of a shine.”
The man shook his head. “You’re a good man, Giles. Not many in your place would give him more than a kick.”
“Will you say that a little louder, please? I’d like my wife to hear what a good man I am.” He looked at her and winked.
The man’s face brightened. “I read that you got married, but I never know what to believe from those wretched gossip rags.”
Guilt rippled in her stomach at the reminder. She’d seen more than one of them, their story emblazoned on the front page. But Giles’ smile didn’t falter.
“I’m sure it wasn’t nearly as exciting or scandalous as it was portrayed, but this is my wife, Christina.”
“It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Henderson.”
“I understand you have the best fish and chips in London.”
“That I do!”
“Yours will be my first, so I’m looking forward to tasting it.”
“Two orders, coming right up.”
“Three,” Giles corrected before the man turned away from the window.
A quarter hour later, Arthur handed three cones of newsprint out the window, along with a strong waft of vinegar. Giles held out some coins, but the man shook his head.
“Call it a wedding gift.”
“Don’t be silly. Take it, or I’m giving it to someone else.” He nodded his head toward the boy.
“Give it here, then. I’ll save it for a day when he’s hungry. You’re a good man, Giles.”
“Let’s not go overboard.” Giles shook his head and turned away from the window. “Share it with your brother,” he said before handing over one of the meals.
“I will, sir. Thank you.” The boy scampered off down the alley.
“Congratulations,” Arthur called from the window.
Christina turned back and gave him a wave. The place might be shadowed, and a little dingy, but somehow, it felt magical.
“It’ll be too hot to eat for a few minutes, so be careful.” He handed her one of the meals and wrapped a protective arm around her as he escorted her out of the alley.
“How often do you come down here?”
“About once a fortnight.”
“Why do you do it?”
“Because it’s the best.” He broke off a small piece of his fish and blew on it to help it cool before holding it to her lips.
“Mmmm.” It was delicious. Crispy, salty, and tangy from the vinegar.
She opened her mouth for another bite, and he popped in a chip.
The food was utterly blissful. “You’d better bring me with you from now on,” she said after she finished chewing.
She broke off a piece of her own fish and fed it to him.
“But that’s not really what I meant. You paid that boy to shine your shoes when you have a valet at home you already pay to do it.
And you fed him, even though he isn’t your responsibility. ”
“If not my responsibility, then whose? The boy needs to eat, and I’m fortunate enough to never have to wonder where my next meal might come from.”
She took another bite of the scrumptious fish, pondering all this new information about her husband. “And what about the women? Taking them in off the streets and giving them a chance at a better life?”
He looked a bit bashful. “I don’t get to take much credit for that.
The Raven’s Den existed long before I joined.
I’ve only been a partner for a few months, but I do try to help where I can.
The truth is, I didn’t join them for that.
The club is amazing, and I thought it would be fun.
I didn’t even know about all the good they do.
” He shrugged. “Before Ash asked me if I’d like to join them, I was lost. My life had no purpose other than finding ways to entertain myself.
But helping those women, and doing what we can to make Raven Row a place where others can flourish, brings my life meaning.
I don’t know what I’d do without it now. ”
It was probably silly, but she hoped he might one day feel that way about her. “I’m sorry I lost you your keys.”
He stopped, his gaze boring into hers. “Do I need to take hold of your hair and kiss you right here? In front of all these people? Because I will if I hear you say that again.”
Her breathing accelerated. “Is that meant to be a deterrent?” Darkness was settling around them, and she wanted him. She’d tried to ignore her burgeoning desire, but the more she learned about him, the more time she spent with him, the more impossible it became.
“Would it be more effective if I threatened to not do it?”
“Perhaps.”
“Well, that would only be a bluff. It wouldn’t be possible for me not to kiss you now that I know how incredible it is. But no more blaming yourself.” He squeezed her hand. “Please?”
She nodded. “If you’ll take me home right now so you can kiss me.”