“Uncle?But I thought Maggie was Mr.Gibson’s sister.”
“She is, but she doesn’t have any relation to Ash.Trent is only his half-brother.But I can promise you, they will make sure you’re taken care of.They’ll see that the window is replaced.You have nothing to worry about.”
She let out a long sigh.“I don’t quite know how to feel about this whole revelation.He’s shown my family and me so much kindness, and this whole time, he was not only the manager here, but Lord Ashdown’s brother.”
Samantha squeezed her hand.“Nothing has changed.”
She groaned.“I teased him.I didn’t know who he was, and I teased that he was even handsomer than Mr.Gibson.”
Samantha laughed out loud.“He is handsome, but I have to admit, my preference is for Trent.”
“Well, he certainly has an eye for you.”
Warmth crept into her cheeks.It was probably selfish of her, but she was going to take full advantage of that and enjoy this for as long as she could.After all the misery she’d endured, surely she deserved a moment of happiness.
“And you have an affection for him, if that wistful smile is any indication.”
Samantha sighed.“If only life were as simple as that.”
“It’s never simple, but your heart knows what’s right for you.”She took a sip of her tea.“I ran away from my family to be with my husband.It wasn’t easy, but it was the right choice.I loved him, and he loved me.”
Samantha stared down at her cup and chewed on her lip.“I can’t bear children.”
“Does he know that?”
Samantha nodded.
“And has he said he doesn’t want to be with you because of that?”
“No.”He hadn’t said anything about it, in fact.“But you’ve seen him with Maggie.He adores her.He needs to have children of his own.”But he had come to her bed last night.Initially to comfort her, but then for more.He wouldn’t have allowed that if he wasn’t still intent on marrying her, because regardless of what he said, he was a perfect gentleman.
“He certainly is good with children.You both are.You’ve both taken mine under your wings.And me, for that matter.We’re lucky to have you.So, I’ll give my advice, and you can do with it what you will.Follow your heart.If the love is real, it won’t lead you astray.Let God figure out the rest.”
ChapterEighteen
That evening, Trent watched in awe as Ash played the piano for them in the ballroom.A group of servants stood at the back, enjoying the performance, as well.He was even more talented than Trent realized.As he played, he seemed to lose himself in the music, closing his eyes, his body moving with the ebbs and flows.That was how he had survived all those years of horror.Music.Probably a more acceptable outlet than punching things, but Trent had never had access to something as extravagant as a piano.
After dinner, they all squeezed into Maggie’s room for story time.Not that it was actually a tight fit.Even her room was larger than any Trent had ever seen before coming here.Ash was the only one not wearing nightclothes.It was hard to imagine his brother in something as casual as pajamas.Ash read a story, and Trent two, before Maggie finally drifted off and they could all sneak out.
He stopped at Samantha’s door to wish her a good night.He needed to go down for backgammon, at least for appearance’s sake.But he had every intention of returning to her bed.
“I’m going to take over your game tonight.I hope you won’t mind.”Ash clapped him on the shoulder.“Good night to you both.”With a polite nod, he continued down the corridor.
Samantha watched him go before looking up at Trent.“Did he just give you his permission to come to my room?”
Trent shrugged.“Perhaps, but the only permission I care about is yours.”
She smiled before opening the door, taking his hand, and pulling him inside.He pushed it closed and leaned against it.“How would you feel about keeping the lamps on for a while so that I might enjoy the view?”
“I don’t mind if we leave the lamps on, but I think perhaps we need to talk.”
He shook his head.She wanted to try again to convince him that he shouldn’t marry her.He took her hand and drew her in for a kiss.She didn’t resist.
When they were both breathless, he pulled back.“We’ll talk after.I’ve been fantasizing about this lesson all day long.”He reached for the tie at her neck and opened it, followed by the next one down, and the next.“It’s like unwrapping a gift.”But then he stopped.“Unless this isn’t something you desire.”
She huffed.“I want it desperately.”
A low growl vibrated in his throat, and he pushed the garment off her shoulders.He rolled his eyes at the repeating layer beneath.“I don’t know why there has to be a nightgown and a wrapper, when they both cover you from your chin to your toes.A bloody nuisance, if you ask me.”
