Page 4 of A Raven Repents

He held out the money. “You’d better take this.”

“Will it make any difference if I say no?”

Ash shook his head. “I’m afraid that ship has already sailed.”

With a defeated sigh, he took the money.

“I believe you said you were in a hurry.” Ash stepped aside and gestured to the door with his cane.

This couldn’t be happening. A ringing in his ears drowned out every other sound as the cab carried him back to Lady Hempsted’s. He couldn’t lose his partnership. He couldn’t. There had to be some way to right what he’d done. Some way to earn their forgiveness.

That bloody woman and her father had cost him his keys, and quite possibly his partnership. Maybe he’d shove the money down Mr. Pelham’s throat so he could choke on it.

Remember what we do here.

If he paid the extortion and abandoned her to her father’s schemes, there’d be no redemption for him. To be a part of their group, he had to be better than that. Dread cinched around his stomach and he nearly retched.

He was going to have to marry her.

“Do you think he’ll be back, Papa? It’s been more than two hours.” Christina pressed a hand against her stomach where butterflies danced. They needed this money.

“Oh, he’ll be back. He was the perfect choice tonight. You did well.”

If only she could be so confident. They’d been standing in the back garden for what felt like forever. But finally, the gate opened and he stepped through. Thank God.

“Ah, Mr. Henderson. It’s about time you made it back. Your tardiness will cost you another twenty pounds.”

“Actually, I won’t be paying you anything.” He paused just long enough for one slow blink. “I’ve decided I’ll marry her.”

Christina’s lungs froze, shock making her mute as she stared at the man. No one had ever chosen that option. It wasn’t even supposed to be an option.

“And what if I don’t want you to marry her? You said yourself that you’re a scoundrel.”

“And you said, I pay you one hundred pounds or I marry her, and I am not going to pay.” The man shrugged one shoulder smugly. His voice was utterly emotionless, while her pulse hammered wildly.

They’d gotten too greedy. “He didn’t even touch me, Papa. Perhaps you could accept a lower amount?” He had to pay. It was the only thing keeping them afloat.

“Very well,” her father said grumpily. “Fifty pounds, in addition to the ten you already paid, and I’ll keep your dissolute behavior to myself.”

The man shook his head. “Not only are you going to give your blessing to our betrothal, but you’re going to provide a wedding and a dowry, or I will tell everyone in that ballroom about your little scheme, and you’ll never be able to do it again. Oh, and I’ll have my ten pounds back, as well.”

Christina felt the color drain from her face. This couldn’t be happening.

Her father was flustered. Even in darkness his flush was visible, as was his rapid breathing. He needed this money. Desperately.

“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Henderson. I’ll keep the ten pounds and let it pass this time.” With a huff, her father grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the gate, but the man stepped in front of him and blocked their path.

“That wasn’t what I agreed to.”

“You’re not going to marry her.”

He shrugged once more and strode for the house.

He was going to ruin her. No, no, no. This couldn’t be happening right now. “W-wait!” she called out desperately.

“Quiet!” her father spat.

The man stopped. “One last chance.” He held out his hand.