Moulton was in the entrance hall when Trent entered.“Will you please have a bath readied and send Benson up to my room?”
“Your bath is already waiting for you, sir.I’ll send Mr.Benson up.”
Trent paused for a moment to take it all in.This wonderful life.“Thank you, Moulton.I appreciate you, and everything you do.”
His brow furrowed ever so slightly.The poor man didn’t know how to feel about that.“Of course, sir.”
He’d barely climbed into the bath when Benson entered.“You asked for me?”
Trent was already scrubbing the dirt off his body.“I was hoping you might help me to dress and shave so that I don’t keep the ladies waiting.”
He nodded, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.Without a word, he opened the armoire and pulled out a clean suit.
When Trent entered the dining room, Samantha was just settling Maggie into her chair.When she looked at him, her smile took his breath away.She was especially beautiful tonight.She wore a yellow gown he’d never seen before.She didn’t usually wear a lot of color.But this one offset the caramel shade of her hair and the pink of the blush that grew as he stared at her.
“Trent!”
Maggie’s excited shout broke the enchantment, and he forced his eyes to her instead.“Good evening, Maggie.”
He pulled out Samantha’s chair, not waiting for the footman to do it.She brushed a hand along his arm before sitting down.“Thank you,” she said quietly.
Even though Ash had only been there for two nights, the table felt empty without his presence at the head of it.A plate was set in front of each of them, already filled.Another reminder that Ash was gone.
“Maggie, tell your brother what you learned today.”
Maggie’s whole face brightened, but she finished chewing her food before she spoke.“I learned how to write my name!”
“Well done, Little Mouse!You’re so clever!I can’t wait for you to show me!”
She nodded happily.“Mantha put it on your desk so you can see it!”She wiggled as she took another bite of beef.
“Thank you,” he said to Samantha.He said a silent prayer that he could somehow be enough that she’d want to stay.She was so good to Maggie.And to him.And he hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d told her he’d fallen head over heels.
After sending Maggie up with Mrs.Baird, Trent escorted Samantha to her room to change for story time.He had only planned to deliver her and continue to his own room, but she tugged him inside and shut the door before dragging him down for a kiss.It wasn’t gentle or slow, it was needy and demanding.She plunged her tongue into his mouth and he groaned as desire ignited.But then she pulled away, her breathing just as ragged as his own.
She smiled up at him.“I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”
“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do all day too, but it has to wait until after Maggie’s bedtime story.”
She nodded, hunger darkening her eyes.“There’s another thing I want to do while I still have proper clothes on.”
“Speaking of that, you look beautiful in that dress.The color suits you.”
She smiled shyly, but then she lowered herself to her knees.
“Should I be kneeling with you?”
She shook her head, and her smile grew even wider.“You didn’t step away from me.You would have in the beginning.”
“You’re right.But I know you now.I trust you.”
“I don’t know how, but I’m so glad you do.”She reached for his hands.“You are the kindest, most incredible man I have ever met.I know you think that’s not a hard competition based on my past.But keep in mind, I’m also including my brother and yours in the mix.”
A confusing medley of emotions swelled in his chest.Surely, he wasn’t deserving of that sentiment, but there was no question of her sincerity.
“You’re not the only one who has fallen,” she continued.“I am in love with you.And Maggie, and this whole life.Wearea beautiful family, and I want it, forever.”
His heart stumbled as he realized what was happening.He was supposed to be the one on his knee, not her.But once again, she was proving just how strong she was.Taking control of her life.
