Page 17 of A Raven Repents

Lavinia gasped. “You mean, you would seduce them?”

“No. Of course not. Nothing ever actually happened.” She shouldn’t be offended by the accusation, but she was. “But they all paid. Except Giles. For some reason, he demanded marriage.”

“But why no courtship?”

Christina shook her head. This whole thing was a confusing mess, and she didn’t even understand it all, herself. “My father wouldn’t allow the marriage. Whether for his sake or mine, I can’t be certain. But that night, I realized I couldn’t continue. So I ran away, and asked Giles if he would elope with me.”

Two more tears raced down her cheeks and Lavinia reached for her hand.

“I’m sorry I’ve kept so many secrets from you. I was ashamed.”

Lavinia didn’t speak for a long time. Then she nodded and squeezed her hand. “Well, at least he’s handsome,” she finally said, with a shrug.

Christina laughed. She couldn’t argue with that. He was handsome. “Do you forgive me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Let’s go inside. I’m getting chilly.”

Lavinia looked around the entrance hall and raised her brow. “You’ve done well for yourself. I didn’t realize he was this wealthy.”

Christina shrugged. “I suppose I got lucky.”

“Stop it.” Lavinia nudged her shoulder?

“Stop what?”

“Feeling guilty. He insisted on this marriage. You didn’t force him into it. Now show me everything in this grand house.”

“I haven’t even seen most of it yet, myself.”

“Well, it’ll be an adventure, then.” Lavinia hooked her arm through Christina’s, and they started down the nearest hallway.

It was such a relief to have company. Someone to laugh with. The silence of the house had become deafening. They explored every room, but most of the furniture was covered with sheets. Even in the library.

After more than an hour, they circled back to the drawing room for some tea.

“For such a grand house, it’s awfully drab,” Lavinia remarked as she stirred. “Feels a bit like a mausoleum, if you ask me. A wooden mausoleum.” She took a bite of a tart and her eyes grew wide. “Is that fig and lemon? It’s delicious.”

“The cook here is very talented. I’ve been spoiled, and these are one of my favorites.” It was so nice to have someone here with her. “And you’re right. The house is drab. There’s not much I can do about that, though. Perhaps I can remove a few of the sheets, at least, and open the windows to let in fresh air while the weather allows for it.”

“This place needs more than dusting and fresh air. It needs color. It needs life.”

“This isn’t my house, Lavinia.”

She rolled her eyes. “You're his wife, of course it is. Besides, it doesn’t look as if he’ll be coming back any time soon.”

“Assuming I disregard my husband’s feelings on the matter, how, pray tell, would I pay for such an endeavor?”

“Surely, that’s no issue. Anyone would extend credit to the man.” Lavinia gestured around the large room, looking at Christina as if she was daft.

Christina shook her head. After everything with her father, she had an aversion to any kind of debt. It certainly wouldn’t be right to accumulate it in someone else’s name, regardless of how rich he was.

“Are you afraid of him?”

“I don’t know him. Everyone here says he’s kind. But he certainly hasn’t been with me. But…” She looked into Lavinia’s eyes. “After swearing he wouldn’t, he paid my father’s debts, and told him he’d done it for me. Why would he do that?”

“Perhaps he secretly cares for you,” she said with a shrug.