Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
By the time he was dressed, Maggie was already gone from her bed. Not surprisingly, she was with Ash. There was an entire sideboard filled with food. The servants had pulled out all the stops with the master at home.
“Good morning, Ash.”
“Trent!” Maggie’s mouth was full and when Trent raised a brow, she covered it with her hand and continued chewing.
“Good morning, Maggie.”
Trent filled a plate and sat down in the seat to Ash’s right. His seat, Ash had said. “I hope you slept well,” he said as he placed his napkin on his lap.
“I did, thank you. Did you?” He gave Trent a knowing look. Of course he knew. Hopefully that didn’t mean there was already gossip spreading.
Fortunately, Maggie saved him from having to respond.
“Where’s Mantha?”
“I’m right here,” she said as she walked into the room.
“Mantha! Sit by me!” Maggie patted the table next to her.
She filled her own plate and settled in next to Maggie. Her smile warmed him more than the coffee he was drinking. Ash was right, this was a beautiful little family. Or at least, it would be… hopefully.
After breakfast, Ash asked to accompany him on his rounds for the day. The first stop every morning was to meet up with Brennan.
“Morning, boss.” He gave Ash a nod. “I heard you were here but didn’t believe it was true.”
“And I heard I owe you a thank you for quite possibly saving the life of my favorite little girl.”
“Nah.” Brennan shook his head. “I was just saving my own neck, really. You’d have skinned me alive if I’d let something happen to her.”
“Well, Trent says you’ve done good work, in every possible regard. But I’m looking forward to having you back where you belong.”
A smile grew on Brennan’s lips. “I’m looking forward to being back.”
Trent shook his head. “Well, I for one, am not looking forward to losing you. You’ve been more helpful to me than you can imagine. I’ll miss having you around.”
“No need to get maudlin. I haven’t left yet, kid.”
Trent didn’t miss Ash’s approving smile.
After putting the others to work, Trent and Ash stopped by the cabin they’d refurbished for him. Ash smiled as he took it all in.
“I appreciate the work you did on this. I know it’s silly, but I didn’t want it to just turn to dust. As you already guessed, this is where I found Gwen hiding.
” He chuckled. “When I opened the door, I was nearly trampled by her horse because she’d brought it inside so she wouldn’t be found.
” He looked at Trent. “They’re so brave.
All of them. These women overcome the unthinkable.
Samantha is no different. I stand in awe of each and every one of them. ”
“At least part of the credit should go to you, Ash. You provide them the means.”
He shrugged it off, like he always did. “It’s just fortunate that there are so many greedy men eager to give me their money in the hope that they might win some of it back.
They think the women are there to service them.
” He laughed. “Fools.” He clapped Trent’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re not one of them.”
Trent struggled to believe he wasn’t in some ways. “I need to apologize to you, Ash.”
“You couldn’t possibly have any reason to apologize." He gestured toward the cabin.
“I do. It’s important to me.”
“Very well. I’m listening.”
“I am so sorry for all the wrong I did to you. The theft, sending those men into your club.” He stopped and shook his head, guilt ravaging his stomach. “I am so, so sorry that they shot you.”
Ash placed a hand on his shoulder with a heavy sigh. “I know you are. And I forgive you.”
“But why? I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I don’t deserve any of this.”
“Of course you do. You didn’t ask them to shoot me. And if you hadn’t stolen from me, we might never have met. One thing I know for certain is that my life is better with you in it.”
Trent threw his arms around him and Ash laughed. “When did you become a hugger?”
Trent laughed along with him and wiped the tears that were just starting down his cheeks. “I don’t know. It seems I’ve become a bit melodramatic of late.”
Ash acted as if it were nothing, but with his words, a great weight had lifted from Trent’s soul.
He blew out a long breath and collected himself.
“On the subject of strong women, would you mind if we pay a visit to Mrs. Elmhurst? She lost her husband recently, and their family is going through a hard time right now, so I like to check in on them frequently.”
“I have nowhere else to be. Lead the way.”
When Mrs. Elmhurst opened the door, she smiled at Trent.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Elmhurst. I hope you won’t mind that I’ve brought company with me again.”
“Of course I don’t mind, but you never told me you had a brother.”
“Have you been keeping me a secret?” Ash asked him.
“You shouldn’t have,” she said. “He’s even handsomer than you.”
Trent laughed awkwardly, knowing what was coming. “He is my brother, yes. He’s also Lord Ashdown.”
Her smile withered as she dipped into a curtsy. “My lord. Apologies.”
“None of that,” Ash said, urging her to stand up straight.
Then he turned his eyes on Trent and whacked the back of his hand against his shoulder.
“Why’d you go and do that? You could have just introduced me as your brother Ash, but no, you had to bring His Lordship into it.
She was complimenting me and everything. Now that’s out the window.”
Trent laughed and gave a slow shrug.
Ash was trying to put her at ease, but Mrs. Elmhurst did not laugh. She looked utterly bewildered. “How may I be of service, my lord?”
Ash shook his head. “That’s not why we’re here, Mrs. Elmhurst. We’re here to see how we may be of service to you.”
Anthony came galloping from the back of the house, his young sister giggling as she bounced on his back, her arms wrapped around his neck.
“Mr. Gibson!” He smiled as he approached.
“Good afternoon, Anthony. This is my brother, Ash.”
“Lord Ashdown,” his mother said in a quiet warning.
Anthony’s mouth also fell open. He put Emma down and bent into a bow.
Ash groaned. “I am merely here as a visitor.” He crouched to be eye level with the little girl. “And what’s your name, Poppet?”
She wrapped her arms around her brother’s leg, hiding shyly behind him. Anthony picked her up. “Her name is Emma, my lord.”
Ash stood and whispered to the little girl. “It’s nice to meet you, Emma. My name is Ash.”
Anyone else would have reveled in being lord of this estate and over all these people, but not Ash.
“Apologies, my lord, my house is not in a fit state for guests. But may I at least offer you some tea?”
“I’d be grateful for a cup. Thank you.”
They settled themselves into the small sitting room. Anthony’s eyes had still not returned to their normal size. And they only grew wider when Ash addressed him.
“Anthony, I understand you escorted Miss Allister home last night.”
“I-I did. Yes, my lord.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you making her welcome here and keeping an eye on her.”
“She’s been ever so kind to my family.” His eyes flicked to Trent. He was probably afraid Trent was going to tell Ash about her first time meeting Anthony.
Trent smiled at him. “Anthony has been working hard to fill some big shoes. Not only has he been helping his mother around here, but he’s also been helping around the estate with different jobs, as well.”
“Good lad.”
The door burst open. John stormed in with a frustrated howl as he slammed it shut behind him.
“I hate people!” His face was red and tears streamed down his cheeks.
He threw his coat on the floor and kicked off his shoes.
He picked one of them up and hurled it with all his might.
Straight through the window. Glass shattered and crashed onto the floor, startling a cry from Emma.
Mrs. Elmhurst gasped, her hands clapping over her mouth. She shook her head.
“John, no.” Terror filled her eyes as she looked at Ash.
“It’s alright,” he assured her.
Anthony handed Emma to his mother and went to his brother, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. Without a word, he picked him up and carried him safely over the glass and out of the room.
“My lord, I’m so sorry. We’ll pay for that. We’ll fix it.”
“It’s alright,” he said again. “It’s only a window. No harm done. He’s grieving. You’re all grieving.”
“But that’s no excuse. This is your house.”
Ash shook his head. “I might own it, but this is your home.”
Trent simply watched. This was what he wanted to be. Kind, generous, and understanding. He set his dishes on the table and got to his feet. “Where’s your broom, Mrs. Elmhurst?”
“Mr. Gibson, I’ll take care of that. You don’t need to be doing that sort of thing. I’m so sorry.” Emma continued to cry with all of the chaos.
Ash shook his head. “There’s no need to fret, Mrs. Elmhurst. Why don’t you take Emma up to the house to play with Maggie. The sun is shining, and the fresh air will do you both good. We’ll see that everything is taken care of here.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly leave you here to clean up my family’s mess.”
“Maggie will be thrilled to have a playmate. And it’s best to get Emma’s tender little feet out of here until the glass has been cleaned up. Go on.” He nodded toward the door.
She looked horrified, but was probably unsure whether she was allowed to argue with him. Trent walked her to the door.
“Are you really sure?” she asked. “He’s…”
“He’s my brother, and he’s as stubborn as a mule, so there’s no use arguing with him. Don’t worry about us. When you come back later, it will be as good as new in here. Enjoy some sunshine with Emma, and I’m sure Samantha would love to see you, as well.”
He urged her through the door and closed it behind her, not giving her a chance to argue or change her mind.
Trent tracked down the broom and dustpan. Ash leaned against the back of the sofa and watched him closely as he worked. “Do you have some kind of feedback to give on my technique, or were you hoping for a turn?”