Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Maggie insisted on staying in Samantha’s room that night. Somehow, she’d always had an innate ability to know when someone needed her joy. Right now, that someone was Samantha.
“Any trouble?” Ash asked as Trent came through the door to The Raven’s Den.
“None. She was more than happy to spend tonight with Samantha.”
“Good. I’ll have someone stationed outside their door tonight to make sure she doesn’t go wandering.”
“Thank you.”
Ash led him through a door to a dark room.
One whole side was like a window where light and sound filtered in from below.
The gaming floor was brightly lit, enhancing the vibrant colors, which perfectly offset all the black.
The feathered gowns shimmered as the ladies moved, the dark fabric highlighting their decolletage.
The shifting of the musicians’ bows, light glinting off crystal glasses, cards being shuffled, dice being thrown, men laughing and groaning.
There was so much, it was hard to take it all in.
Giles stood in the middle of the magical pandemonium, laughing with a tableful of patrons. Large men were posted at both the front and rear, and others were outside the doors, making sure everyone was safe.
Pride filled his chest. His brother had created all of this. He looked over at Ash, who still seemed to delight in the experience. “You have quite a team.”
Ash nodded. “I’m lucky to be surrounded by amazing people.”
“It’s not luck, Ash. You’ve built all of this, and it’s incredible.”
“I didn’t do it alone. I’ve had a lot of help. Just as I’m getting help now, from you.” Ash clapped him on the shoulder. “I appreciate all you do for me, you know. Without you, I couldn’t be here doing this.”
Trent struggled with that. He thought of himself as a charity case. Someone Ash had taken on out of pity. He’d never viewed himself as part of Ash’s team, but was it possible Ash did?
“I didn’t miss the change in you when Allister mentioned his sister tried to take her own life. Is that how your mother…?”
Trent nodded and Ash shifted just slightly. He was good at hiding his emotions, but for Trent, it was like looking into a mirror. He could see everything. “None of the blame for that falls on you, Ash.”
Allister walked into the room, a sad smile turning up his lips. “It’s going to be hard for me to send her away. I like being able to watch over her here. Regardless, I am truly grateful.”
Trent shrugged. It felt awkward receiving praise from men like him and Ash, knowing all they’d accomplished. “I’ll try my best to provide her whatever she needs.”
“Do you want to know details of what she’s been through?” Allister asked.
“I don’t see why that would be necessary. What’s important now is her future. If she wants me to know about her past, she can share that with me when she’s ready.”
“I told you he was a good choice,” Ash said, looking every bit the proud older brother.
“I don’t know about that, but you can trust me not to take advantage of her.”
“I’m going to repeat something someone once said to me. I’ve never known Ash to be wrong about someone.”
“Well then, let’s just hope this isn’t the first time.”
“It won’t be,” Ash said. “So, the other thing I wanted to talk to you about tonight. I’ll be sending Brennan with you in the morning.”
“Do you really think security is necessary?”
“That’s not why he’s joining you. Although he’ll provide that on the journey, as well. You’re going to put him to work on the estate.”
“Doing what?”
“Anything you need. Not dealing with tenants or taking care of Maggie or Samantha, but any kind of manual labor required. He will assist you until we can get you some more help.”
“Is there a reason you’re sending him specifically?”
“I trust him.” He shrugged. “And he owes me.”
Brennan did join them the following morning and was quick to see their luggage loaded onto the train.
He also positioned his large frame as a barrier, creating space to make sure no one bumped into Maggie, who insisted on standing on her own two feet, and would only hold onto Samantha’s hand.
Trent was basically useless, standing there, doing nothing.
Once they were in their compartment, he sat quietly across from Brennan, and although there was plenty of room for her on the bench, Samantha sat on a blanket on the floor with Maggie.
She was probably more comfortable down there, away from the two men, with whom she was locked in a small space.
He didn’t need to know what had happened in her past, to know how hard this was for her.
The other women in Ash’s care were vibrant and cheerful, but not Samantha.
She was obviously afraid of men. But more than that, weariness settled over her like a heavy blanket.
And not the kind of exhaustion brought about by a hard day’s work or a fitful night’s sleep.
Her soul was hanging on by a thread, and even that was frayed.
She pulled out a sketchpad and some pencils and pastels, teaching Maggie step by step how to draw a butterfly. She was so patient with her, giving her just enough guidance, but also allowing her to do most of it on her own. Encouraging her and never telling her she was doing it wrong.
He couldn’t stop himself staring. Perhaps Samantha would be a welcome presence. Maggie had certainly taken to her, and having a woman in her life who wasn’t her nanny would do her good.
About halfway into their journey, Maggie’s eyes began to droop.
Slowly, she curled herself up, until finally, she laid her head down and fell fast asleep on the floor.
Samantha fidgeted uncomfortably. She no doubt wanted to get off the floor but was hesitant to sit next to him.
Without a word, he moved to sit beside Brennan.
There was barely enough space for the two of them on that bench, but Brennan didn’t complain.
Samantha looked up at him, her brow furrowed.
“Now you can get up off the floor.”
“Thank you,” she said, quietly. Closing the case of art supplies, she got to her feet and stretched her back before sitting on the bench. Even without him there, her shoulder pressed against the wall.
With a sigh, she shook her head. “This is silly. The two of you barely fit on that bench. Come back over here where you’ll be more comfortable.”
“And what of your comfort?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine.” She said that, but she swallowed apprehensively. “Really.” She emphasized the word with a nod.
Slowly, he moved across and settled down beside her. “If you change your mind, you need only say the word, and I’ll move.”
She became agitated. “I know everyone told you how damaged I am, but you don’t need to coddle me. I can promise you I’ve survived worse than sitting beside you.”
“I’m certain you have. But I don’t want to be another something or someone you have to survive.”
She looked down at her hands in her lap for a long moment before eventually nodding. She raised her eyes to his. “Thank you.”
* * *
By the time they arrived at Woodburn Hall, the sun was nearly set, casting long shadows around the massive home.
Samantha shivered, but it wasn’t cold that brought it on.
So many times she’d been sent to a house like this one.
Perhaps not quite as grand, but they were all imbued with a certain kind of energy.
As if the trauma from all those who had come before lived on within the walls themselves.
Her body was frozen in place as she looked at the servants all lined up, but then Maggie’s excited voice broke through the ice that restrained her.
“Mrs. Baird!” The gravel crunched beneath her feet as she ran. A stout woman with a vibrant smile crouched to greet her before taking her hand and leading her into the house.
So many people, and all of them were looking at her. Her head hummed with dizziness. She could do this. She had to do this.
Trent held out a hand. Reflexively, she shrank back from it, but he didn’t move any closer.
She looked up into his eyes to gauge his intention.
It wasn’t a demand. There was no leer. No sense of entitlement to her acquiescence.
It was merely an offer of support if she chose to accept it.
As she stared, he waited patiently. She looked back down at his hand, and after a moment, she nodded with her decision.
Her heart beat a frenzied rhythm, but with a nervous swallow and a deep breath, she slipped her hand into his.
The light squeeze he gave somehow made her feel protected rather than trapped.
He returned the bows and curtseys the servants gave with a nod, but didn’t stop to introduce her, for which she was grateful.
The grandeur they walked into was startling, even knowing the size of the house. Ash was wealthy. Her gaze wandered around the enormous entrance hall, lit by countless sconces. Its walls were lined with paintings of aristocratic men. Very wealthy.
“Are those your ancestors?”
Trent stopped. He looked around at the paintings as if he’d never really seen them before. “I suppose they probably are.”
“You don’t know?” That seemed strange. Men always knew their family history. Especially rich men. Oftentimes they assessed their own value from who their father and grandfather were.
“I know Ash introduced me as his brother, but the truth is I’m only his half-brother, and he didn’t even know I existed until a few months ago.” He looked at her and shrugged. “I never met our father. I don’t even share his surname. I was given my mother’s.”
“I suppose there is much I do not know about you, and apparently about Ash. I certainly didn’t know about this place or, based on our surroundings, the title he presumably holds.”
Trent nodded. “Ash is short for Lord Ashdown. But his father… our father, was a monster, so he doesn’t like being addressed as such. Now, why don’t we go up and get you settled in?”
So much of this didn’t make sense to her. She followed Trent up a grand staircase and down two long corridors before he stopped at a door and gestured her inside. “This is your room.”
A maid curtseyed as they walked into the room. “Sandra will see to anything you need. Sandra, this is Samantha.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss.”
“I have a few things to see to, but you may do whatever you wish, Samantha. This is your home now. We will be dining in about an hour. If you’d like to join Maggie and me, you’ll be welcome.
If you’d rather have a tray in your room, Sandra will arrange that.
If you’d like a hot bath or a nap or some time alone, just let her know. ”
“Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what else to say, really. He closed the door behind him as he left. She was grateful for all of it, but the truth was, she felt utterly lost. Why were they all so eager to help her? What did they want from her in return?
“I have a fresh pot of tea here for you. Would you like a cup?”
“That would be lovely. Thank you.”
“Sugar?” she asked.
“I don’t suppose you have honey, do you?”
“I can fetch some.”
Samantha shook her head. “Two sugars will do just fine, thank you.”
She removed her hat, and Sandra took it as she handed her a saucer.
“I hope you won’t think me too gauche if I stand while I drink this. I’ve been sitting all day, first on the train and then in a carriage.”
Sandra laughed softly. “Not at all, miss.”
“Will you join me?” Samantha asked. “Although, you’ve probably been on your feet all day, so you should sit.”
“It wouldn’t be proper for me to do that, miss.”
“You needn’t be concerned about propriety with me. There isn’t a single thing that led to me being here today which could possibly be regarded as proper. So pour yourself a cup and sit. I’d be glad of your company.”
She gave a meek smile. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” She took a sip. “So what did they tell you about me?” Clearly, someone had sent a telegram ahead. Did everyone here know of her past? Did they all know how damaged she was?
Sandra shrugged as she stirred her tea before settling herself into a chair. She looked around as if she was afraid of being caught. “Not much. Only that you’re a guest of His Lordship.”
“Don’t tell anyone I said so, but the truth is, I hardly know the man. I didn’t even know he was a lord before I arrived here.” It sounded ridiculous. “What do you know of him?”
“I’ve only met him once, and not under very good circumstances. But for some reason, he specifically asked for me to take care of you.” She shrugged. “I do know that he is very kind. He made sure I was safe and cared for when any other employer would have simply thrown me out of his house.”
Interesting. Samantha sipped her tea. She wasn’t naive about the things that went on in households like this one. “His kindness is also the reason I’m here.” She was curious of how protective he really was, though, especially of a maid. “Did he dismiss the man who hurt you?”
A nervous smile grew on Sandra’s lips, and she looked around again before speaking quietly.
“I was told he beat him black and blue, and then had him confined until he was arrested the next day.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice even more.
“Apparently, the man was also running some kind of fake marriage scheme.”
Samantha gasped. Her heart stopped, and her teacup and saucer tumbled from her grasp onto the floor.
They were going to do it to her again.
She burst through the door and dashed down the hall, her feet barely touching the steps as she raced for the exit.
It was dark, and she had no idea where she was or where she could possibly go, but she had to get away from here, so she just kept running.
She should have known. This was just the sort of house that would host one of those horrific auctions she’d been sold in so many times.
She sprinted alongside a large barn, and around the back.
As she started down a path that led into some woods, she heard heavy footfalls gaining on her.
“No.” Her heart seized. She glanced over her shoulder.
Brennan’s large size was recognizable, even in darkness.
She didn’t stand a chance of getting away from him.
She pushed herself to move faster, even knowing she’d never outrun him.
She braced herself for the force of his hands on her body, but it never came.
She could still hear him behind her, and he easily could have caught her, but he didn’t. He just continued to run with her. Was this some sort of sick game? “Why are you doing this?” Please just let him trip. Tears blurred her vision and she struggled to breathe.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
As she looked back again, her foot caught on a rock, and she crashed down onto the hard ground, gravel biting into her palms. She scurried to get away from him, but he still didn’t grab her. “Please don’t do this.”