“I know Ash introduced me as his brother, but the truth is I’m only his half-brother, and he didn’t even know I existed until a few months ago.”He looked at her and shrugged.“I never met our father.I don’t even share his surname.I was given my mother’s.”
“I suppose there is much I do not know about you, and apparently about Ash.I certainly didn’t know about this place or, based on our surroundings, the title he presumably holds.”
Trent nodded.“Ash is short for Lord Ashdown.But his father… our father, was a monster, so he doesn’t like being addressed as such.Now, why don’t we go up and get you settled in?”
So much of this didn’t make sense to her.She followed Trent up a grand staircase and down two long corridors before he stopped at a door and gestured her inside.“This is your room.”
A maid curtseyed as they walked into the room.“Sandra will see to anything you need.Sandra, this is Samantha.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss.”
“I have a few things to see to, but you may do whatever you wish, Samantha.This is your home now.We will be dining in about an hour.If you’d like to join Maggie and me, you’ll be welcome.If you’d rather have a tray in your room, Sandra will arrange that.If you’d like a hot bath or a nap or some time alone, just let her know.”
“Thank you.”She wasn’t sure what else to say, really.He closed the door behind him as he left.She was grateful for all of it, but the truth was, she felt utterly lost.Why were they all so eager to help her?What did they want from her in return?
“I have a fresh pot of tea here for you.Would you like a cup?”
“That would be lovely.Thank you.”
“Sugar?”she asked.
“I don’t suppose you have honey, do you?”
“I can fetch some.”
Samantha shook her head.“Two sugars will do just fine, thank you.”
She removed her hat, and Sandra took it as she handed her a saucer.
“I hope you won’t think me too gauche if I stand while I drink this.I’ve been sitting all day, first on the train and then in a carriage.”
Sandra laughed softly.“Not at all, miss.”
“Will you join me?”Samantha asked.“Although, you’ve probably been on your feet all day, so you should sit.”
“It wouldn’t be proper for me to do that, miss.”
“You needn’t be concerned about propriety with me.There isn’t a single thing that led to me being here today which could possibly be regarded as proper.So pour yourself a cup and sit.I’d be glad of your company.”
She gave a meek smile.“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”She took a sip.“So what did they tell you about me?”Clearly, someone had sent a telegram ahead.Did everyone here know of her past?Did they all know how damaged she was?
Sandra shrugged as she stirred her tea before settling herself into a chair.She looked around as if she was afraid of being caught.“Not much.Only that you’re a guest of His Lordship.”
“Don’t tell anyone I said so, but the truth is, I hardly know the man.I didn’t even know he was a lord before I arrived here.”It sounded ridiculous.“What do you know of him?”
“I’ve only met him once, and not under very good circumstances.But for some reason, he specifically asked for me to take care of you.”She shrugged.“I do know that he is very kind.He made sure I was safe and cared for when any other employer would have simply thrown me out of his house.”
Interesting.Samantha sipped her tea.She wasn’t naive about the things that went on in households like this one.“His kindness is also the reason I’m here.”She was curious of how protective he really was, though, especially of a maid.“Did he dismiss the man who hurt you?”
A nervous smile grew on Sandra’s lips, and she looked around again before speaking quietly.“I was told he beat him black and blue, and then had him confined until he was arrested the next day.”She leaned forward and lowered her voice even more.“Apparently, the man was also running some kind of fake marriage scheme.”
Samantha gasped.Her heart stopped, and her teacup and saucer tumbled from her grasp onto the floor.
They were going to do it to her again.
She burst through the door and dashed down the hall, her feet barely touching the steps as she raced for the exit.It was dark, and she had no idea where she was or where she could possibly go, but she had to get away from here, so she just kept running.She should have known.This was just the sort of house that would host one of those horrific auctions she’d been sold in so many times.
