Page 89 of A Raven Repents

“No. You’re perfect just the way you are. In fact, I’m quite looking forward to seeing it again.” He tried to wink, and burst out laughing.

“What are you laughing at?”

“I just realized I won’t be able to wink when I tease you.”

She laughed with him and pressed her lips to his. “Just as long as you don’t stop teasing.”

He thought of all the people around him. None of them would treat him any differently with a prosthetic eye. Not even the patrons seemed to mind his patch. They’d all been respectful and none of them had recoiled at the sight. Perhaps he was lucky to have a life where it may not really matter.

“I think you’re right.” He stole another quick kiss while they were alone. “None of the people in my life, at least not the ones who matter, will give a fig one way or the other.”

Somehow, that decision made it easier for him to move forward. Easier to accept that this was who he was now. In that moment, it became a choice rather than a tragedy.

Over the following weeks, he shed his resentment, and happiness took its place. Laughter came effortlessly with his partners and their patrons. And with Christina. Each day she seemed to blossom a little more, trust him a little more. And each night, when he returned from his club, she was waiting for him in his bed. Sometimes they made love, and other times, they just cuddled, as they were now. He cherished having her body against his, her head resting on his arm. Life had become easy with her.

“Ash wants to host a celebration of our marriage.”

“That seems a little silly after all this time, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t think so. We’ve overcome a lot, you and I.”

She turned over and kissed him sweetly. “We have, haven’t we?”

“It’s become a tradition to have some kind of festive gathering at The Raven’s Den when one of us gets married.”

“In the club?”

“Well, in the building, yes. But it will be converted for the event into something more like a casual ballroom.” Just as it had been on the night he’d first met her.

“Does that mean we’ll be able to dance?”

“If you’d like to.”

“I’d like to very much. I miss dancing. And I’ve never had the pleasure of dancing with you.”

“Why didn’t you say so? There are plenty of balls we can attend.”

“I didn’t think you’d want to…” She traced little circles on his chest with her finger. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to be seen with me in that part of society. I was on the front page of the scandal sheets, after all. Everyone assumes I must have seduced you into marriage.”

“And you think I’d be embarrassed of that, even if it were true?” He pushed himself over the top of her and claimed her lips. “I? An owner of a fairly notorious gaming hell, who now sports an eyepatch—which I’ve been told is quite rakish. I assure you, I am immune to scandal.”

She reached a hand down to squeeze his bottom. “And you do have the loveliest backside.”

“I’m not sure what that has to do with scandal or dancing.”

“Nothing. I am just very fond of it.”

Chapter

Twenty-One

Two weeks later, Giles sat in a seat at the head of a long table in The Raven’s Den, celebrating his marriage. He’d always sworn he would never wed, and had dreaded even the possibility of it. The prospect of being chained to one woman forever. Of carrying the responsibility of a husband.

But as Christina sat beside him, holding his hand, she wasn’t his responsibility. She was his partner. He depended on her as much as she did him. Perhaps even more sometimes.

He was startled out of his reverie by a hand on his shoulder. “Mother!” She stood behind him, a loving smile on her face. He pushed back his chair.

“No reason to get up, Son.”