Page 42 of A Raven Realized


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“My fight isn’t the responsibility of anyone here.”

Fogg shrugged. “Ash says you might be joining us soon.”

“I hope so.” He rolled his shoulder gingerly with a groan. It felt as if he'd been hit with a sledgehammer. “You’ve been with him for a while now. How is he to work for?”

“It’s a mixed bag, of course, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the Intelligence Services. He’s grumpy and demanding, but he doesn’t take your soul. He respects me, and even though I’m his valet, he always makes sure I’m well. The truth is, I couldn’t ask for better. He expects absolute loyalty, though, so don’t make your decision lightly.”

Simon nodded. How could he not pledge his loyalty to the man? He’d already taken on his sister, probably saved his life, and made sure Madelene was safe.

“Don’t misunderstand me. He will give his loyalty in return.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your candor. And thank you for making sure Madelene was safe.”

“It’s Brennan you have to thank for that. He was the one who went to fetch her. He said her name was the only word you spoke when you landed on our doorstep. So do you have a happy announcement to share with us?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, I assume there are wedding bells in your near future.”

Simon laughed, or as close as he could manage to a laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He pushed himself up a bit and Fogg slipped a pillow behind him. “She’s simply staying with me until I can find a place for her to go.”

The door opened in the middle of his sentence, and Ash stepped into the room. “She hasn’t left your side for a moment, Allister. I finally sent her to bed a few hours ago.”

“Well, she’s only concerned for me because she has a very kind soul and she doesn’t really have anyone else to turn to. And even if it is more than that, I am not husband material.”

“Neither am I,” Ash said with a shrug as he came to stand opposite Fogg.

Simon shook his head. “We are not the same, Ash, and you wouldn’t compare our situations if you knew where I was before I ended up here last night.”

“I may not know exactly where you were, but I can guess what you were doing. The blood you were covered in didn’t just disappear on its own.”

Simon looked down at his hand. He’d forgotten about the blood.

“It wasn’t just on your hand,” Fogg said quietly.

“You cleaned me up?”

“It was a joint effort, but the pajamas are mine.”

Simon hated feeling vulnerable and reliant on someone else’s help. He always took care of himself. “It doesn’t really feel like enough, but thank you.”

“Is there a mess somewhere that needs to be cleaned up as well?” Ash asked. Strangely there was no judgment or derision in his tone.

Simon shook his head. “It won’t matter now. His servants will have found him before the sun even rose. This is why I’m not husband material. I was careless.” He swallowed to soothe his throat. “If the authorities trace it back to me, I’ll hang. Where will that leave her?”

“Well, first of all, you weren’t there last night, you were here,” Ash said. “But you also weren’t there the night before, when the man, whoever he was, was killed.”

“What do you mean the night before? Are you saying I’ve been here more than an entire day?”

Ash nodded slowly. “And Madelene has not left your side.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Simon said grumpily. He couldn’t let it matter. He pushed himself upright in the bed. Dizziness swept over him as he threw the blankets off, and he swayed, but he didn’t stop. “I have a horse that I’ve got to get back. One more piece of evidence to connect me.”

Fogg and Ash stood on opposite sides of the bed, blocking him in.

“Relax, Allister. The horse has already been returned to where it belongs.” Ash placed a hand on Simon’s shoulder. “Madelene is safe. You’re safe. The doctor said you’ll need to rest to allow whatever you were poisoned with to leave your system. So right now, you’re going to tell me the man’s name so we can see what we can find out about the investigation, while you’re doing just that.”

“No,” he said firmly. “No. I am not becoming your problem, Ash. I am already heavily indebted to you.”