Page 28 of A Raven Repents

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything here.”

“Don’t kill him yet. But a permanent reminder wouldn’t go amiss. A reminder that she’s my wife, and she is protected.”

“I wasn't going to hurt her! I wouldn’t really have sold her virginity to Chilton.”

Giles strode for the front door. The butler was standing outside looking utterly lost. A scream sounded from inside the house. “I wouldn’t go back in there just yet, if I were you.”

A short time later, he carried Christina through his front door. Winnie and Thomas both looked horrified as he climbed the stairs. They hovered outside the door to his bedroom until he gestured to the bed. “Will one of you pull back the blankets? I’d rather not just stand here holding her.”

They collided as they both tried to rush through at the same time. Giles closed his eyes. It wasn’t them he was angry with.

He settled her onto the mattress and pulled the covers over her. How had he let this happen?

“Is there something we can get for you, sir?” Thomas asked, wringing his hands. “Should I send for a doctor?”

“No, thank you.”

“Would you like me to watch over her?” Winnie asked.

He shook his head. “I’ll sit with her.” He caressed the side of her face with the back of his fingers. “It’s the least I can do.”

“Thomas, send word so that the rest of the household doesn’t worry when you don’t return.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And then, the two of you will stay here tonight. Just in case I require your help.”

He closed the door and stood over the bed. She looked peaceful. He’d only ever seen her afraid or angry or hurt. “I know you can’t hear me, and I know it’s not nearly enough, but I am sorry, Christina.”

Christina’s head ached and she didn’t want to open her eyes, but something felt off. It didn’t smell right. Panic spurred her heart into a gallop as she looked around the room. Two lamps were lit, allowing her to see her surroundings, but nothing about the space was familiar. But then her eyes landed on her husband, seated in a chair beside the bed. She gasped and moved away from him.

“Easy,” he said quietly. “You’re safe.”

“Where am I? What’s happening?” Fear made her breathing erratic.

“You’re in my bed.”

“Why am I in your bed? What are you going to do to me?” She moved back to the far edge.

“Careful.” He reached for her, and she recoiled, tumbling off the side. She didn’t understand what was happening or how she got there. Tangled in the blankets, she thrashed but couldn’t get away from him as he came around the bed.

“Please,” she begged. What was he going to do to her?

He pressed her down by her shoulders. “Stop, before you hurt yourself.”

“And what about you hurting me?”

But he didn’t hurt her. His grip loosened and he closed his eyes with a long, tortured sigh. “I know I’ve been a right bastard, and for that I am profoundly sorry. But I will never abuse you.”

“Did you just apologize to me?”

He sat back on his heels. “Only the first of many, I assure you. Will you allow me to help you back into bed?”

“I’m sure I can manage, but it feels like my nightgown has been pushed up around my waist.”

“Not to worry.”

She assumed he meant it didn’t matter because he was her husband, but he got to his feet and turned his back.