Page 48 of A Raven Repents

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!”