Page 1 of A Raven Repents

Chapter

One

There were usually plenty of amorous widows at Lady Hempsted’s masquerades, but tonight the ballroom was filled with mothers, here for one last, desperate attempt to find husbands for their daughters. Giles was heir to an earldom until his cousin had a son, and despite the mask he wore, they’d all recognized him and circled like vultures. He had barely managed to escape the last group of them trying to foist their daughters onto him.

But he wasn’t here for a wife. He was here for a widow. One eager to have him in her bed. He was too young to settle down, and his life was perfect just the way it was. Part-owner of a successful gaming hell, plenty of money, and good friends. What more could a man ask for?

A night of vigorous bed sport. That’s what.

He was just about to give up on his quest when a woman across the room made deliberate eye contact with him from behind her mask. Her lips turned up in an alluring smile, and she tipped her head before disappearing into the hallway in that direction. Just the invitation he’d been waiting for.

He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing footman before starting down the same corridor. He wasn’t sure where she had disappeared to, but if she was smart, she’d be all the way at the end.

The last door was open just a crack, and he pushed it slowly with his shoulder. He didn’t want to intrude on another couple, after all. But it was quiet, and as he turned into the room, she was there, waiting for him. A single lamp was lit on the far side of the room, and she leaned against the edge of the desk, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Good evening,” Giles said. “Do you mind if I close this?” He gestured toward the door.

“I don’t mind.” Her voice was quiet. Nervous, even. Perhaps this was her first assignation. Not exactly what he was hoping for, but as long as she was willing, they could start slow and work up to vigorous.

Giles pushed the door shut with his hip and crossed the room to her. The lamplight glinted off the dark ringlets that brushed against her neck as she swallowed. Definitely nervous.

“Here, this will help.” He handed her a glass of champagne.

She took a sip. Her lips were full, pink, and irresistible. They parted slightly as her gaze locked with his, and he leaned in and pressed his own against them. They were just as soft as they looked, but not altogether responsive.

Her green eyes filled with surprise. “You didn’t even ask my name.”

Giles chuckled. “I find it’s better to not involve names in this sort of rendezvous.”

Her eyes were still as wide as a doe’s behind her silver beaded mask. Was it possible he’d gotten the wrong end of the stick?

The door banged open. He stepped in front of her to shield her from view and spoke over his shoulder. “This room’s already occupied, old chap.”

“Christina?” The man’s voice was angry and accusatory.

“Papa!” She looked around him. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

Papa? Oh, Satan’s bollocks. She wasn’t a widow. Ice filled his stomach, even before he downed the remainder of his champagne. “There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding here, but I assure you, sir, I have not engaged in any inappropriate behavior with your daughter.”

“Papa.” She hurried over to him. “Nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened?” A vein bulged in his temple. “He has ruined you. Your reputation will be in shambles. How could you be so careless, Christina?”

“It wasn’t her fault. She was in here, and I wandered in by mistake.” Giles placed his empty glass on the desk. “I’ll bid you both a good night.”

“You most certainly will not.” The man pushed the door shut. “You just happened to wander in here… with two glasses of champagne? I’m not a complete fool. You have sullied her reputation, and you will do the honorable thing.”

Giles shook his head. “Trust me. You do not want her marrying a scoundrel like me, Mr…?”

“Pelham,” he barked, the puff of breath ruffling his mustache. “Recompense, then, for dishonoring her.”

“Very well.” He pulled a stack of bank notes from his pocket and reluctantly handed the man ten pounds. It was her reputation, after all.

“You think her reputation is only worth ten pounds?”

“That’s a lot of money for a simple misunderstanding. Now if you’ll excuse me⁠—”

“One hundred pounds,” the man said, stepping in front of him.