“Don’t you need to go back over to the club?”
“It’s all taken care of.Right now, we just need to make sure you’re taken care of as well.”
Her mind was all awhirl as she walked down the long corridor to her room.This place still didn’t make any sense to her.Why was Michael being so kind to her when she’d just abandoned her post, run away, and then proceeded to act inappropriately with him?Everyone here was always so kind to her, and she did nothing for any of them in return.
All they’d asked of her was to dance and pose at The Raven’s Den, and she couldn’t even manage that.It was pathetic.She’d done things that were so much harder.Things that were painful and humiliating, so why was she suddenly so weak and afraid?
After changing into her much more modest nightclothes, Michael was waiting for her, just as he’d said he would be.He poured them both a cup of tea and sat with her in the front sitting room.She stared down into her cup, unsure of what to say or do.
“I’m sorry, Michael.I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or—” She sighed and finally looked up at him.“I don’t know any other way to express my gratitude.”
“You’ve nothing to apologize for, Samantha.”
“What did my brother say?Is he angry?Or ashamed?”
“His only concern is your welfare.And that’s the case for all of us here.”
Her brother always had been kind to her.Even when he’d taken her away from her husband, bruised and bleeding.Even when she’d cried and thrown things and begged him to spare Norman’s life.Even when she’d eventually tried to take her own.He’d never criticized her or condemned her.Only tried to make her happy and keep her safe.Just as they were all doing now.
Why was it so much easier for her to feel deserving of the abuse than it was of the kindness?
ChapterTwo
Trent woke feeling grumpy and agitated.Worrying over Ash’s letter had kept him awake most of the night.But when he opened Maggie’s door, her smile chased away the darkness from his mood.She was the reason he worked so hard every day.She was also the reason he even had this position.Ash had been wrapped around her finger from the first moment he met her.
“Happy birthday, Maggie!”Somehow her smile grew even more brilliant.
“It’s my birthday!”
He picked her up, like he did every morning, and carried her downstairs to the dining room.
The servants all stood around the table, greeting her with a chorus of happy birthdays.She giggled and her eyes grew wide when she saw the beautifully decorated cake that sat in the center of the table.The cook here always spoiled her.They all did.
“Do I get to have cake for breakfast?”
“You sure do, Little Mouse.”Trent kissed her cheek and set her in her usual seat before sitting down beside her.
“Why don’t you all join us?”he said, looking at Mrs.Archer.“There’s plenty of cake for everyone.”
Slowly, they all seated themselves around the long table, leaving the chair at its head vacant.That was Ash’s seat and none of them would dare sit in it.Not even Trent.Not out of fear, but out of deference.They all held him in high esteem, even in his absence.Moulton and a footman quickly set the table for everyone, serving each of them a slice of cake before stationing themselves off to the side.
“Sit down, Moulton,” Maggie said, furrowing her brow.“Have cake with us.”
Trent gestured toward the empty chairs at the foot of the table.“It is her birthday.”
“It’s my birthday!”
Laughter broke out around the table and after cutting two more slices, the men joined them.
Moulton smiled, something Trent had rarely seen the man do for anyone but Maggie.“Happy birthday, Miss Maggie.”
She giggled and swung her feet as she stuffed a large bite of cake into her mouth.Trent gave thanks for this life he’d been gifted.When he was Maggie’s age, his mother had struggled to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.
Hopefully, Ash’s summons wasn’t going to bring an end to it all.He’d find out soon enough.They’d be leaving for the train station directly after breakfast.
Trent tried to keep his thoughts occupied during their long journey south, pointing at things along the way for Maggie to identify.But eventually, she drifted off to sleep, and with each passing mile, the churning in his stomach grew more vigorous.
When they walked through the door to Raven House late that afternoon, Maggie immediately spotted Ash and kicked her feet until Trent set her down.She sprinted across the main hall toward him.
