Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Samantha swallowed nervously as Benson stepped into the room and closed the door. His smile was kind, and he clasped his hands behind his back.
“Would you like me to pour you some tea?” he asked.
She looked down at the tray that sat on the table. She hadn’t even realized there was tea. “Did you bring that in while I was crying?” She hated that people had seen her that way.
He didn’t answer her question, simply walked to the table and poured her a cup. “Sandra stopped me on my way out of the kitchen to put a pot of honey on the tray. Am I right in assuming that’s what you prefer in your tea?”
“Yes, please.”
He drizzled some into her cup. “Is that enough? Or would you like a bit more?”
“Just a touch more, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Good choice.” He drizzled in a bit more, stirred it, and placed a biscuit on the saucer before handing it to her.
She took a sip and breathed out a satisfied sigh. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome.”
“Will you join me?” She nodded toward the other chair. It was awkward with him just standing there, hovering over her.
“I’d like that very much.” He made himself a cup just like hers, sat down, and hummed his approval.
“Are you Trent’s valet?”
“Not yet. But I haven’t given up.” He winked. “He’s far too stubborn for his own good. I was his father’s valet, and for a very short time, I was the current Lord Ashdown’s valet. When he returned to London, he asked me to stay on here.”
“To keep an eye on his little brother?”
He chuckled quietly. “Perhaps.”
“So if you’re not his valet, what do you do?”
He shrugged. “We play backgammon in the evenings.”
The very definition of humility, it would seem. He was unquestionably more than just a backgammon partner. Ash and Trent both trusted him.
“Will you tell me about Trent?”
“I don’t know much about his life before he came here a few months ago, but I do know he’s an honorable man. He works far too hard, juggling the managing of this estate and raising his sister as if she were his daughter. And yet, he always finds time for a chat and a game of backgammon with me.”
Even with all that, he’d still agreed to take her on, as well. “Has he told you about me? About why I’m here?”
“He only told me Lord Ashdown sent you here to recover from some very difficult things in your past.”
“I don’t know if I can.” She looked down at her tea. “What if I’m just different now?”
“You are different now. I’ve no doubt about that. You’re stronger and wiser, and because you’ve overcome difficult things already, you know you're capable of that.”
She’d never considered that. She certainly had overcome difficult things. Perhaps not fully, but she was still here. Surely that counted for something. “My brother wants me to be happy again.” She looked into Benson’s kind eyes. “I’m not sure I know how.”
“Well if there is anyone who can help you remember, it’s our young Maggie.”
Samantha nodded, mulling everything over. Maggie’s brilliant smile appeared in her mind and forced up the corners of her own mouth. Perhaps Benson was right. Perhaps Maggie was the reason Ash had sent her here, knowing no one could resist her charm.
A yawn caught her by surprise. She was tired. That outburst had no doubt taken its toll, but she didn’t want to sleep. Ordinarily, this was a time she’d kneel beside her bed, but for the first time in a very long time, she didn’t want to be alone. She was enjoying Benson’s company.
“Will you teach me how to play backgammon?”
A smile grew on his lips. “I would be honored to.”
He left, and when he returned a few minutes later, he carried a leather-bound case and a tray of food. “I thought you might be hungry.” He placed it on the table and uncovered her plate. “Roast chicken, green beans, potatoes, and glazed carrots. And, of course, a strawberry tart for dessert.”
Her mouth watered.
“While you’re eating, I’ll set up our board and go over the basic rules.”
It wasn’t long before exhaustion made it impossible to concentrate. She hadn’t finished her meal, nor had they actually played yet. But her eyes were puffy from crying and grew increasingly heavy.
“We need to get you into bed, my girl.”
His words dragged her partially out of her fog. My girl. That’s what her grandfather had always called her when she was very little. She smiled shyly. “I’m sorry. I really do want to learn to play.”
“There’s always tomorrow.” He walked to the bed and pulled back the blankets. “Would you like me to carry you over?”
She shook her head. “I can manage.”
“At least allow me to give you an arm to lean on.”
He helped her to the bed, then averted his gaze as she slipped out of her wrapper, until she was snuggled under the covers.
“Thank you, Benson, for your kindness and your company.”
“It was my pleasure. Sleep well.”
* * *
After tucking Maggie in for the night, Trent poured two glasses of brandy and went in search of Brennan. Not surprisingly, he found him out near the stables.
“The drink I promised you,” he said, handing him a glass.
“Thank you.” Brennan breathed in the aroma before taking a sip. “One of the perks of working for Ash. Good booze.”
Trent laughed. “You’re not wrong.” He sipped his own. “Where are you staying, Brennan? I only ever see you out here, and I’m afraid you’re sleeping with the horses.”
“The stable manager has kindly offered me a room in his house.”
Trent shook his head. “Have you seen the size of this place? There are dozens of empty rooms in there.”
“And if I sleep in one of those beds, I’ll never want to return home to my own.”
He understood the sentiment. After the luxury of his current life, he’d have a devil of a time ever going back to what he’d had before.
“I’m still grateful for what you did this morning. I shouldn’t have let her run ahead of me like that, and my carelessness could have been devastating.”
“I’m here to help you, and that’s all I did. She learned a good lesson, and she wasn’t hurt, so don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“Well, thank you for being so gentle and caring with her.”
Brennan rolled his eyes and threw back the last of his brandy. “Thanks for the drink, boss. And I know it’s not my place to say so, but you need to get some sleep.”
He took the empty glass. “I’ll see you after breakfast tomorrow.”
Benson wasn’t in the drawing room. He must be with Samantha still.
Trent should go up and check on her. He sighed.
His whole body was leaden with weariness.
A day like today reminded him that he just wasn’t doing enough.
His negligence could have cost both Maggie and Samantha their lives.
But he was so exhausted. His head throbbed and every muscle in his body ached.
Surely, a minute or two on the sofa wouldn’t hurt anything.
He could close his eyes just long enough to soothe the burning.
Trent gasped. He’d dozed off. He squinted as he looked around the room, confused. Why was it suddenly so bright? But then understanding dawned, just as the day had. He pushed to his feet and swayed. He didn’t quite have his bearings.
A hand gripped his shoulder. “Sit down, my boy.” Benson pushed a little more firmly.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep, and I certainly didn’t mean to lose the entire morning.” He stopped fighting and dropped back onto the seat.
“It’s about time you did.”
Sunlight beamed through the windows. He should have been up and about hours ago. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
“I was busy making sure no one else woke you.”
“It’s not funny, Benson. I have so much to do.”
Benson shook his head. “Everything is already being seen to. Right now, you are going to drink some coffee.” He handed him a cup, as if he’d just conjured it. “And then, I’ll go up with you and help you dress.”
Trent closed his eyes as the warmth of the coffee slid down his throat. It was wonderful. Benson spoiled him sometimes. “I don’t need help.”
“Don’t you?” Benson’s gaze skimmed over him from head to toe, startling a laugh from him.
“You’ve never talked to me this way before.”
“You’ve never driven yourself to this level of exhaustion before. Lord Ashdown asked me to stay on here for a reason, and if I allow you to work yourself to death, how do you suppose he’ll feel about that?”
Trent looked down at his rumpled clothing. “Point taken.” He savored another mouthful of coffee and handed the cup back to Benson. “Let’s go upstairs.”
The clock on the mantel said it was half past nine, but Benson assured him all was well as he ushered him out of the room.
When Trent picked up his razor, he looked over at Benson. “Is she…”
Benson nodded. “She’s down in the dining room with Maggie.”
“How did they get there?”
“They walked down together. When I told Samantha you were sleeping, she took it upon herself to check in on Maggie. I dare say the young miss was thrilled by her company. She seems to really like her.”
Trent nodded. She definitely did. “Is Samantha’s ankle feeling better?”
“She assured me it was, or I would not have allowed her to walk down unassisted.”
“Thank you, Benson. You’re too good to me.”
The man held out his hand for the razor. Trent shook his head. “I don’t think I could trust even you with a sharp blade against my throat.”
“Considering your father’s never got cut, you should.”
Trent blinked. Sometimes he forgot that the monster who was Ash’s father, was also his father. And Benson had been his valet. How much mistreatment must he have endured back then? Reluctantly, Trent gave in and handed over the razor.
Laughter greeted him as he walked into the dining room. Maggie looked at him, her eyes bright, like always. She stuck her tongue out at him before dissolving into a fit of giggles.
It was impossible to not laugh with her. “Have you been teaching her that?” he asked Samantha. She was smiling and laughing, and it was such a wonderful sight. Especially after yesterday.
“I would never do such a thing.”
“Yes you did, Mantha!”
“Shhh. Don’t tell him.”