Page 29 of A Raven Returns

“It’s unfortunate that Fogg wouldn’t allow me to just kill the blackguard.”

Allister chuckled. “Don’t worry. We’ll be sure he gets what he deserves.”

“What kind of punishment is he looking at?”

Allister shrugged. “The church, and therefore the crown, takes this sort of thing very seriously. Suffice it to say, he won’t be a problem again.”

Ash nodded. “Glad to hear it.”

“Before I go, my lord, I was hoping that, sometime in the near future, you and I could have a conversation. The intelligence services have a proposition for you.”

Ash raised a skeptical brow. “Somehow I doubt that the intelligence services really want help from someone like me. Besides, I will be returning to my club in London, as soon as possible.”

“The proposition involves your club, my lord.”

What was this? Ash didn’t like surprises, especially ones that felt a bit suspicious. “Well then, you know where to find me when I’m back in London.”

“Thank you, my lord.” He bowed before turning and nodding at Ash’s valet. “Fogg.”

The man left, but Fogg didn’t follow. “Are you not going with him?” Ash asked.

Fogg hesitated before answering. “I wasn’t planning on it.” He inhaled a nervous breath. Nervous was not something Fogg often seemed to be. “Can we talk, Ash?”

“I suppose we ought to,” Ash said gruffly. He turned and stalked back toward his study. This was a necessary conversation, but one Ash wasn’t sure he was ready for yet.

He sat down behind his desk while Fogg closed the door.

“I know you’re angry with me, Ash.”

“I’m not angry with you, Fogg.” He paused for a moment. “Alright, that’s not true. I am bloody furious. But I’m also conflicted, and I don’t know what to do with you.”

“I know it doesn’t change what I did, but I am sorry. I made a mistake, Ash. An inexcusable mistake.”

“A day and a half you were gone, and when you return, you’re suddenly questioning my judgment and putting your hands on me?” He stared directly into the man’s eyes. “What am I supposed to do with that, Fogg?”

Fogg wrapped his arms around his stomach, as if physically protecting himself would also protect him from his emotions. For anyone else, Fogg was difficult to read, but Ash’s livelihood depended on reading people, and he’d known Fogg a long time. Right now, the man was genuinely remorseful, and uncharacteristically scared.

“My actions were unacceptable, but my heart was in the right place, Ash.”

“I know that. You wouldn’t be sitting here otherwise. But your job has never been, and will never be, to protect me from my own actions.”

“I understand. I also understand if you have to let me go, but I can promise, if you do keep me on, I’ll never do something like that again.”

“Damnit, Fogg!” Ash slammed his palm against the top of the desk and the man jumped. “Why did you put me in this position?”

“I’m sorry, Ash.”

It was obvious he was, but that didn’t make it any easier.

“Is it truly a one-off? Or have you just gotten too big for your britches? Because you sure were comfortable slamming me, bodily, into a chair.”

“Perhaps I did become a bit full of myself, but it was a momentary lapse, and I won’t let it happen again.”

Ash let out a long sigh. Fogg had clearly been humbled by this experience, which was good. He really didn’t want to lose him. Despite his actions, Ash didn’t question his loyalty.

“See that it doesn’t,” he said quietly.

Fogg nodded, but it took a moment for the meaning of the words to sink in. His eyes flicked to Ash’s face, his breathing accelerating. “Does that… does that mean I can stay?”

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