ChapterSix
Samantha swallowed nervously as Benson stepped into the room and closed the door.His smile was kind, and he clasped his hands behind his back.
“Would you like me to pour you some tea?”he asked.
She looked down at the tray that sat on the table.She hadn’t even realized therewastea.“Did you bring that in while I was crying?”She hated that people had seen her that way.
He didn’t answer her question, simply walked to the table and poured her a cup.“Sandra stopped me on my way out of the kitchen to put a pot of honey on the tray.Am I right in assuming that’s what you prefer in your tea?”
“Yes, please.”
He drizzled some into her cup.“Is that enough?Or would you like a bit more?”
“Just a touch more, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Good choice.”He drizzled in a bit more, stirred it, and placed a biscuit on the saucer before handing it to her.
She took a sip and breathed out a satisfied sigh.“It’s perfect, thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome.”
“Will you join me?”She nodded toward the other chair.It was awkward with him just standing there, hovering over her.
“I’d like that very much.”He made himself a cup just like hers, sat down, and hummed his approval.
“Are you Trent’s valet?”
“Not yet.But I haven’t given up.”He winked.“He’s far too stubborn for his own good.I was his father’s valet, and for a very short time, I was the current Lord Ashdown’s valet.When he returned to London, he asked me to stay on here.”
“To keep an eye on his little brother?”
He chuckled quietly.“Perhaps.”
“So if you’re not his valet, what do you do?”
He shrugged.“We play backgammon in the evenings.”
The very definition of humility, it would seem.He was unquestionably more than just a backgammon partner.Ash and Trent both trusted him.
“Will you tell me about Trent?”
“I don’t know much about his life before he came here a few months ago, but I do know he’s an honorable man.He works far too hard, juggling the managing of this estate and raising his sister as if she were his daughter.And yet, he always finds time for a chat and a game of backgammon with me.”
Even with all that, he’d still agreed to take her on, as well.“Has he told you about me?About why I’m here?”
“He only told me Lord Ashdown sent you here to recover from some very difficult things in your past.”
“I don’t know if I can.”She looked down at her tea.“What if I’m just different now?”
“You are different now.I’ve no doubt about that.You’re stronger and wiser, and because you’ve overcome difficult things already, you know you're capable of that.”
She’d never considered that.She certainly had overcome difficult things.Perhaps not fully, but she was still here.Surely that counted for something.“My brother wants me to be happy again.”She looked into Benson’s kind eyes.“I’m not sure I know how.”
“Well if there is anyone who can help you remember, it’s our young Maggie.”
Samantha nodded, mulling everything over.Maggie’s brilliant smile appeared in her mind and forced up the corners of her own mouth.Perhaps Benson was right.Perhaps Maggie was the reason Ash had sent her here, knowing no one could resist her charm.
A yawn caught her by surprise.She was tired.That outburst had no doubt taken its toll, but she didn’t want to sleep.Ordinarily, this was a time she’d kneel beside her bed, but for the first time in a very long time, she didn’t want to be alone.She was enjoying Benson’s company.
