“Mr.Gibson.Please, come in.”She pulled the door open wide to welcome them into her home.
“Allow me to introduce Miss Allister.She is a guest of His Lordship, and she was kind enough to accompany me today.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Allister.Would the two of you like some tea?”
There was a long, low whistle, and Samantha instantly stepped behind him, her fingers gripping the back of his jacket.He whipped around, but Mrs.Elmhurst was quicker.
“Anthony John Elmhurst!”The boy was barely sixteen, but taller than his mother by a foot.Despite that, he immediately bowed his head.“If I ever hear or see behavior like that out of you again, you won’t be able to sit for a week!Don’t think you’re too big to be put over my knee.Your father's passing does not give you an excuse for bad manners or disrespect.Do you understand me?”
“Yes.I’m sorry, Mother.”
“It’s not me you need to apologize to.Miss Allister is a guest of His Lordship and a guest in our home.Now come and greet her with the respect she deserves.”
Trent moved aside, hating the terror in Samantha’s eyes.He leaned down and whispered into her ear, “You’re safe.”
She slipped her hand into his with a nod as the boy approached.He was timid and fidgeted nervously.
“Apologies, Miss Allister.I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.You’re just so pretty, but I won’t do that no more.”
“Anymore,” his mother corrected.
He ducked his head again.“I won’t do that anymore.”
“Thank you, Anthony,” Samantha said quietly.Her grip on Trent’s hand loosened slightly.
“I’m sure Mr.Gibson has some work you can do tomorrow to help you remember your manners in the future.”
Trent nodded.“There will be plenty of stables that need to be mucked out in the morning.”
The boy sighed.“I said I won’t do it again.”He turned a pleading look on his mother.
“He’ll be there, bright and early.And if I get any more grumbling about it, he’ll be working with a sore backside.”
Crimson filled his cheeks, but his mother merely nodded toward Trent.
“I’ll be there first thing, Mr.Gibson.”
Trent placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder.“I know you’re going through a hard time right now with the loss of your father, but you’re lucky it was your mother who stepped in and not me.I will not tolerate disrespect of any woman.Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”He nodded.“I’m sorry, sir.”
Trent patted his shoulder.“You’re a good lad, Anthony.I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’d be very glad of that tea you offered, Mrs.Elmhurst.”Samantha knew exactly how to bring an end to the tension.
She sat close to him on the sofa.He didn’t like that she was still nervous, but the fact that she was seeking him out for reassurance felt like an enormous accomplishment.
Just as they all sat, one of the younger ones started crying in a back bedroom.Anthony jumped to his feet.“Don’t worry, Mother.I’ll tend to her.You enjoy your visit.”
She sighed as he hurried from the room.“He really is a good boy.”
“I know he is,” Trent reassured her.“He has big shoes to fill.”
She nodded.“That he does.His father was a good man.”
“How are you holding up, Mrs.Elmhurst?”Her husband had only been gone a month or so.
“As well as I can be, thanks to you.I really appreciate all of your support, Mr.Gibson.”She paused for a moment.“Lord knows it would have been much more difficult with Mr.Warwick.That man certainly should have had a thrashing in his younger years to teach him some manners.Mr.Elmhurst was tempted to punch him a time or two.”
