He looked quickly at Samantha, but she didn’t seem to recognize the name.Warwick was undoubtedly the one who had arranged her marriage.
Trent reached across and patted Mrs.Elmhurst’s hand.“Between the two of us, we’ll make sure Anthony becomes a man like his father and not like Mr.Warwick.”
“I do believe you are heaven-sent, Mr.Gibson.”
Trent laughed as warmth blossomed in his cheeks.
“You may be right,” Samantha said quietly.
He shook his head.“I think we’d best be going.If the two of you keep this up, I might just grow right out of my britches and forget my place.”
As they stood, Anthony hurried into the room and handed his little sister off to his mother so he could escort them to the door.“I am sorry, to both of you.I didn’t mean to cause awkwardness.We really do appreciate you visiting, Mr.Gibson, and I hope I haven’t ruined that.”
“It will take more than that to scare me off, Anthony.”
“Apologies, again, Miss Allister.”
“I forgive you, Anthony.”
Pink grew in the boy’s cheeks, and he smiled.
“Don’t be getting any ideas.She might forgive you, but I’ll still be expecting you in the morning.”
He looked Trent in the eye.“I’ll be there and ready to work.”
“Good lad.”Trent gave him a nod and watched pride make him stand a bit straighter.
As they rode for home, he continued to hear Samantha’s voice and see her eyes, filled with admiration when she’d agreed with Mrs.Elmhurst’s remark.He didn’t deserve that, but his heart drew it in like a thirsty sponge, all the same.There was something incredibly special about her.
ChapterEight
After assuring Trent three times that she was well, he finally left her to check on Brennan and another tenant.So much for taking a day off.He probably didn’t know how.She sat down in the chair in her room, the day's events playing through her mind.
Trent hadn’t hesitated for a second to step in front of her and protect her.Even if it was just a young man who thought she was pretty.Anyone else would have told her not to be silly and the boy was just paying her a compliment, but not Trent.And Mrs.Elmhurst had been magnificent.Perhaps if more mothers were like her, men like Norman and his ilk wouldn’t be so commonplace.
With another grateful sigh, Samantha collected her sketchbook and pencils and went back downstairs.She was determined to repay some of Trent’s kindness, and had an idea of what she could do.
Benson smiled at her from the door to the drawing room as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Good afternoon, Miss Allister.”
“Just the man I was hoping to find.”
“Are you ready to continue our backgammon lessons?”
“I would like nothing more.But first, will you show me which of these men is Trent’s father?”She pointed to the portraits that hung around the entrance hall.
“That one there,” he said, indicating the one to her right.
She gazed at the painting for a long moment.“He doesn’tlooklike a monster.”
“Looks can be deceiving.There’s another one in here over the fireplace.”
She followed him into the drawing room.That portrait was larger.“They do look a great deal like their father.”She turned to Benson.“How are they both so kind?Why are they not like he was?”
Benson gave a long shrug.“I don’t know, but I’m glad for it.Their father was unimaginably cruel.”
“Was he cruel to you, Benson?”
