A few minutes later, she returned carrying a basin of water and an assortment of other things.“Is that honey?”
“Yes.”Sandra nodded.“My sister had unruly hair as a babe, and my mother swore by it.”After setting everything down, she used water from the basin to wet Samantha’s hair.Then she smeared a thin layer of honey on her palm.“And just a few drops of orange blossom water, to make you smell divine.”She added enough water to thin everything out and worked it through Samantha’s hair.After helping her to dress, Sandra finished it off, pinning in a silk hairband and some flowers.
“Perfect.”
Trent and Ash were in conversation near the bottom of the main staircase as she descended, Maggie in Ash’s arms.
“Apologies if I’ve kept you waiting.”
“That is what you’re supposed to do,” Ash said.He and Trent had matching smiles, but Maggie’s was the brightest.
“You look so pretty, Mantha!”
It was the kindest compliment she could have received.Trent held out his arm to escort her into the dining room.He leaned in and spoke quietly into her ear.“I would have said beautiful, or stunning, even.But I suppose pretty is true, as well.”
A flush warmed her cheeks and her stomach rippled.“You’re just trying to flatter me so you can get out of our dance lesson.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.I’m quite looking forward to it.”
Ash went to the head of the table.“This one, Trent.”He pointed to the chair to his right.“The place at my right hand is reserved for you.”
Samantha’s heart swelled with pride and she wanted to cheer for him.Instead, she had to settle for squeezing his arm.Trent’s features shifted and she watched as a succession of emotions filtered through him.Confusion, repudiation, hesitation, hope, gratitude, and finally, with a subtle nod, acceptance.
“You are worthy,” Samantha whispered into his ear before settling into the seat that was pulled out beside his.
Slowly, he sat down in his designated place, and Ash looked so proud.He was a good man.They both were.
With the master here, the meal was presented properly, each course being served at the table.Samantha wasn’t sure how long she’d be welcome as part of this lovely little family, so she sealed every moment away in her memory.Each image of Ash teasing Maggie and Trent laughing and smiling along with them.It was impossible not to join in.The scene was idyllic and pure and wonderful.
She hated to see the meal come to an end, but eventually, they all finished with their last bite and their last sip of wine.
“Will you join us for story time, Uncle Ash?”
“Your room isn’t big enough for all of us, Little Mouse.”
“How about tonight, I read to you instead?”Ash suggested.“A special night.Just you and me, Poppet.”
Maggie clapped her hands.“Yes!”
He helped her out of her chair and put her on the floor.“Go with Mrs.Baird and get changed.I’ll be up soon.”
With laughter floating behind her, she ran to her nanny who was already waiting in the doorway.
“Thank you, Ash.”Trent shook his head.
“You don’t have to thank me for doing something I will thoroughly enjoy.”
Samantha bumped her shoulder against Trent.“That means we can get started on our dance lesson.”
Ash raised his brow.“Dance lesson?”
Trent’s cheeks flushed and his smile was shy.“Yes.I mentioned that I don’t know how, and Samantha has graciously offered to teach me.”
“Well,” Ash said, getting up from the table.“If you need accompaniment, let me know.”
“Are you a musician?”Samantha asked.
Ash shrugged.“I tinker on the piano a bit.”
