Page 35 of A Raven Repents

Christina nearly dropped her glass. She stared at Mrs. Henderson. Did she really think of her as a daughter?

She reached for Christina’s hand. “I’m not trying to take over for your own mother, of course. But I’ve always wanted a daughter.”

“My mother passed when I was nine.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to say something to upset you. I’m just a doddering old woman. Ignore me.”

“You didn’t upset me. I’d be thrilled to have a mother again.”

The woman squeezed her hand and smiled brightly. “You have one.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Henderson.”

“Julia,” she corrected. “We wouldn’t want any confusion since we’re both Mrs. Henderson now.”

“Thank you, Julia.” She couldn’t stop smiling through the rest of the meal. Julia asked her endless questions, her favorite color, her hobbies. It was as if she wanted to know everything there was to know about her.

Giles sat quietly most of the time but always watching. The talk continued long after the food was gone, but eventually, her yawn brought a close to everything.

“Of course you’re tired after a long day. I’ve kept you up far too late with my incessant chatter.” Julia swallowed the last of her wine and stood. “Goodnight, Christina.”

“Goodnight.”

“And don’t think you’re getting off so easily,” Julia said, pointing at her son. “Escort your wife up, but then I’d like a few minutes with you.”

A slight smile still turned up his lips as he inclined his head. “Yes, Mother.”

Chapter

Nine

He stopped at the door to their room. “Winnie is inside and will help you prepare for bed.”

“Is your mother very angry with you?”

“Are you worried about me? You of all people should be thrilled for me to face her wrath.”

“Perhaps I am,” she said with a shrug. “But if you need to cry about it afterward, I’ll be here.”

He laughed. Teasing from her was definitely better than shouting, or running away from him. “Goodnight, Christina.”

His mother sat at one end of the sofa with a cup of some kind of tea.

“I’m here for my dressing-down.”

She held up her cup. “Peppermint. Would you like some? It helps me relax so I can sleep better.”

“No, thank you.”

She patted the top of her thigh, inviting him to lie down. “I’m not a young boy anymore, Mother.”

“Indulge me.”

With a sigh, he removed his shoes, laid himself down on his side, and curled his feet up onto the sofa, his head resting on her leg. She combed her fingers through his hair. He’d forgotten how comforting that was.

“You’ll miss this one day, when I’m gone.”

“Don’t say that. You’re never going to be gone.”