“Will you teach me how to play backgammon?”
A smile grew on his lips.“I would be honored to.”
He left, and when he returned a few minutes later, he carried a leather-bound case and a tray of food.“I thought you might be hungry.”He placed it on the table and uncovered her plate.“Roast chicken, green beans, potatoes, and glazed carrots.And, of course, a strawberry tart for dessert.”
Her mouth watered.
“While you’re eating, I’ll set up our board and go over the basic rules.”
It wasn’t long before exhaustion made it impossible to concentrate.She hadn’t finished her meal, nor had they actually played yet.But her eyes were puffy from crying and grew increasingly heavy.
“We need to get you into bed, my girl.”
His words dragged her partially out of her fog.My girl.That’s what her grandfather had always called her when she was very little.She smiled shyly.“I’m sorry.I really do want to learn to play.”
“There’s always tomorrow.”He walked to the bed and pulled back the blankets.“Would you like me to carry you over?”
She shook her head.“I can manage.”
“At least allow me to give you an arm to lean on.”
He helped her to the bed, then averted his gaze as she slipped out of her wrapper, until she was snuggled under the covers.
“Thank you, Benson, for your kindness and your company.”
“It was my pleasure.Sleep well.”
* * *
After tucking Maggie in for the night, Trent poured two glasses of brandy and went in search of Brennan.Not surprisingly, he found him out near the stables.
“The drink I promised you,” he said, handing him a glass.
“Thank you.”Brennan breathed in the aroma before taking a sip.“One of the perks of working for Ash.Good booze.”
Trent laughed.“You’re not wrong.”He sipped his own.“Where are you staying, Brennan?I only ever see you out here, and I’m afraid you’re sleeping with the horses.”
“The stable manager has kindly offered me a room in his house.”
Trent shook his head.“Have you seen the size of this place?There are dozens of empty rooms in there.”
“And if I sleep in one of those beds, I’ll never want to return home to my own.”
He understood the sentiment.After the luxury of his current life, he’d have a devil of a time ever going back to what he’d had before.
“I’m still grateful for what you did this morning.I shouldn’t have let her run ahead of me like that, and my carelessness could have been devastating.”
“I’m here to help you, and that’s all I did.She learned a good lesson, and she wasn’t hurt, so don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“Well, thank you for being so gentle and caring with her.”
Brennan rolled his eyes and threw back the last of his brandy.“Thanks for the drink, boss.And I know it’s not my place to say so, but you need to get some sleep.”
He took the empty glass.“I’ll see you after breakfast tomorrow.”
Benson wasn’t in the drawing room.He must be with Samantha still.Trent should go up and check on her.He sighed.His whole body was leaden with weariness.A day like today reminded him that he just wasn’t doing enough.His negligence could have cost both Maggie and Samantha their lives.But he was so exhausted.His head throbbed and every muscle in his body ached.Surely, a minute or two on the sofa wouldn’t hurt anything.He could close his eyes just long enough to soothe the burning.
Trent gasped.He’d dozed off.He squinted as he looked around the room, confused.Why was it suddenly so bright?But then understanding dawned, just as the day had.He pushed to his feet and swayed.He didn’t quite have his bearings.
