“Yes.Don’t worry about me.Go enjoy this wonderful experience with your sister.”
As she stood there, watching him settle Maggie into the saddle, she understood what he’d meant when he said he felt unworthy.She most certainly did.Almost as if her very presence threatened to tarnish this magical moment.But if he hadn’t told her, she never would have guessed it of him.There was so much goodness in him.
Joy radiated from him as he walked beside the horse, his hand never leaving Maggie.She was trying so hard to keep her giggles quiet as the groom led the horse in small circles.Brennan stood off to the side, his arms folded across his chest.What must his story be?He certainly wasn’t the brute of a man one would assume.He’d just saved Maggie from serious harm and hadn’t scolded her or spanked her.Instead, he’d been gentle and nurturing.Just as he’d been with Samantha last night.That was how all of the men around Ash seemed to be.She’d always assumed all men, besides her brother, were like the ones who had hurt her.But perhaps she was wrong.
After a few circuits, Trent lifted Maggie off the horse and carried her so she could pet the muzzle once more.
“But I want to keep riding her,” she argued as Trent carried her away from the horse.
“She needs a rest now.You can’t just ride her all day.Besides, Mrs.Baird has fun activities planned for you today, and I have work to do.”
“You always have work to do,” she said with a pout.
“I know I do.But you have important things to do, too.You need to decide on a name for your horse.”
She shook her head.“I already know her name.”
“You do?”Trent’s face was filled with pride as he looked at her.
Maggie nodded animatedly.“It’s Ashley.”
Laughter erupted among all the men, but Samantha could see Trent trying so hard to keep it together.Tears even shimmered in his eyes from his efforts to hold in the laughter.“Is she named after Uncle Ash?”
“Uh huh!”Her whole body moved with her nod and Trent finally let a laugh escape.Samantha couldn’t help herself and laughed along with the rest of them.
“I might have to take you back down to visit him soon, just so you can tell him.”
“Yes!We should go tomorrow!”
Trent shook his head.“I’ll see you tonight, Little Mouse.”He kissed her cheek and set her down, nudging her toward Mrs.Baird.After a moment, he turned his back and doubled over with laughter.
When he regained his composure, he wiped his eyes with a contented sigh.He pointed at Brennan.“You and I are sharing a drink tonight.”
“I won’t say no to that.Especially if the brandy here is as good as what he buys for the club.”
“We’ll make sure it’s the best he has.I’m going to take Samantha back up to the house, and then you and I have a big job ahead of us today.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m sure I can manage on my own,” Samantha said when he turned back to her.
“Don’t be silly.”He stopped.“Unless you don’t want me to pick you up.”
“It’s not that, but you just said you have a big job ahead of you today.The last thing you need is to haul me all the way back up to the house.”
“I know it doesn’t fit with the big house and all the servants and everything, but none of this is mine.Manual labor is what I do.I’m not a gentleman of leisure.Carrying you up the stairs will not render me incapable of completing my other duties.Do you doubt my stamina, Miss Allister?”
A bit of teasing sparkled in his eyes, and she laughed nervously.
“Are you ready?”he asked.
At her nod, he picked her up and carried her into the house.She felt safe with him, and that troubled her.Only a fool would trust a man after everything she’d been through.
He settled her into a chair in her room rather than on the bed.“I’ll send Sandra in on my way out.”
Samantha shook her head.“I don’t need anything right now.I just want some quiet time alone, if that’s alright.”
He stopped and turned back.“Everything is alright here.You may do as you please.If you need something, don’t hesitate to ring for it.If you don’t wish to be disturbed, simply say so.This is your home, not a prison.”
