Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
The train ride they took a week later was so much different than the one that had brought Samantha into his life.
She was on the floor again with Maggie, but every few minutes she reached back and caressed his calf.
She laughed and smiled. And this time, when Maggie got sleepy, she reached for Samantha and climbed into her arms.
Samantha got up onto the seat and relaxed into his embrace, settling Maggie against them both and resting her head on his shoulder. Brennan smiled his approval from the other side of the compartment.
After a few minutes, her body became pliant, and she drifted off to sleep. He pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
“You’ve done well, kid.”
“No more boss?”
“My time working for you is done.”
“I imagine you’re looking forward to seeing your family.”
He nodded. “I’m looking forward to all of it. Most of all, sleeping in my own bed.”
Ash sent his carriage to pick them up at the station.
It came to a stop beneath the porte-cochère on the back side of Raven House.
As soon as they got through the back door Maggie was wiggling, so he put her down and she ran ahead.
A group of women were on their way to The Raven’s Den, already in their black dresses.
Maggie stopped and looked up at them in awe, and Trent waited to see her response.
Their gowns were quite revealing, after all.
“You look so pretty!” She reached out and touched one of their feathers. “And soft!” They all laughed, but then Ash spoke from around the corner.
“Is that my Maggie I hear?”
She squealed and ran for him, everything else forgotten. “Uncle Ash!”
Trent took Samantha’s hand. It was cool and trembled slightly. “Are you alright?”
She breathed in a long breath. “It feels like a different life. It is, I suppose. I’m certainly different, thanks to you.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“You’re the one who did all the hard work. I’m just lucky you came into my life.”
By the time Trent walked around to find them, Maggie was settled on Ash’s arm, telling him about everything she’d seen from the train. “Good evening, brother.”
Ash smiled. “It certainly is.” He shook his head. “I still can’t quite believe the change that has happened in both of you. Would it be terribly patronizing for me to say I’m proud of you both?”
Trent squeezed Samantha’s hand. He was proud of her too. This had to be daunting for her, but she was still smiling.
Gwen entered from the stairs that led to The Raven’s Den. “Ash told me how well you were doing, but to see it with my own eyes.” She rushed over and wrapped her arms around Samantha.
“I couldn’t have done it without you. Without all of you.”
She held Samantha’s shoulders and just looked her over before turning to Trent. “Thank you,” she said, surprising him as she wrapped him in an embrace, as well.
“You don’t need to thank me for anything.”
She stepped back and shook her head. “Just like your brother.” She reached for Maggie. “Why don’t we go up and get you changed into your nightgown? It’s late.”
Maggie didn’t argue, and Gwen carried her back up the stairs she’d just come down. It was strange being here, welcomed as family. But it was wonderful.
“I know your brother is looking forward to seeing you, Samantha, but he’s busy for a little while. I think Daisy is going to be here soon, though. There she is.”
Daisy rushed into the main hall. “Samantha!” She wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I’m so glad to see you! And marrying this one,” she teased, pointing at Trent. “I need to hear all about it.” She took Samantha’s hand and pulled her away into the sitting room.
Only Trent and Ash remained. “Why do I get the feeling you arranged this?”
Ash shrugged. “I thought we might have a drink.” He led him upstairs and into his private chambers. Inside was a large room, with nothing but a black grand piano. He could hear Maggie giggling down the hall. He followed Ash through a door to what seemed to be half study half sitting room.
“Not terribly spacious,” Ash said. “But it does the job.” He poured two glasses and handed one to Trent. “To a future filled with happiness and love.”
Trent tapped his glass against Ash’s and took a sip. “Dare I ask how you managed to get a license so quickly?”
“I keep this parish afloat almost single-handedly. They owe me a favor or two.”
“It’s all legitimate, though. Right? She’s already had a marriage that wasn’t.”
“Do you really think I’d do that to her?”
“I find myself quite protective of her.”
“You’d better be. She’s already had more suffering than a person should have to endure in a lifetime.”
Trent nodded. “I’ll do my best to make sure the rest of it is as happy as it can be.”
Ash settled onto the sofa. “So tell me about this proposal of hers.”
* * *
Daisy had already hugged her three times by the time they settled onto the sofa with cups of tea.
“It’s strange being back here. It’s as if my mind doesn’t know how to feel. I was so afraid before. I almost feel it tugging at me again, even though there’s nothing to fear.”
Daisy placed her dishes on the table. “I haven’t been through what you have, but I understand what you mean.
It took me a long time to be able to see a bathtub full of water and not panic.
Even though logically, I knew I wouldn’t be forced into it, and if I did get in, it would be warm and comforting. ”
“I will be forever grateful to you for getting me out of there.”
She waved it away. “I did nothing. I don’t even remember asking them to get you out. You, on the other hand, were so kind to me while I was there. But let’s not talk of those dark times. You are going to be married!”
“I am.” Her heart swelled thinking of Trent. “He’s such a good man.”
Daisy nodded. “He is. And there’s nothing better than being married to someone who loves you. There’s no doubt of that. You should have seen the look on his face as I led you away.” Daisy giggled.
Michael walked into the room, a smile on his face. “I heard you were here.”
She deposited her dishes on the table and hurried over to him. He held an arm out to his side, just as the men here always did, and she tucked herself against him.
“If you try hard enough, you might be able to get him to give you a real hug. I eventually got Ash to come around.”
Samantha looked up at him, then wrapped her arms around his chest. He chuckled and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I’d heard you were doing well, but nothing could have prepared me for this.”
“Everyone keeps saying that, but it feels silly.” Although she knew they were right. Especially after coming back here.
“It’s not silly.” He stepped back and placed comforting hands on her shoulders. “You look happy.”
“I am happy.”
When Michael moved to the side, her brother was standing in the doorway. “Simon!” She threw herself into his arms. He’d always been there for her.
He held her tightly and rocked her from side to side. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to greet you. I was dealing with something.”
“You don’t always have to drop everything for me, Simon.”
“Of course I do. You’re my sister. And if I hadn’t been sure you’d already be in good, safe company, I would have been here.”
“Well, I need to get back,” Michael said. “If I don’t see you again before, I will see you at your wedding.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Daisy got up from the sofa. “Would you like me to pour you a cup?”
Simon shook his head. “No, thank you. I can manage it if I want one.”
She came over and bussed Samantha’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Ella wants to make sure your gown is perfect.”
“My gown?”
“One does usually wear a special gown for their wedding.”
She hadn’t given it much thought. “You all have spoiled me. But I can’t wait to see it anyway.” And it would give her a chance to talk with Ella about nightgowns.
When Daisy was gone, Simon settled onto the sofa and patted the cushion next to him. He wanted to talk. That shouldn’t be a surprise. He was protective of her, and this was a big step. Especially after everything.
“So, marriage, huh?”
Samantha nodded.
“Are you sure he’s worthy of you? That he’s the right one?”
“To my mind, he’s worthy of so much better than me. But… we fell in love.”
“That I understand. When lightning strikes, there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”
“Is that how it was with Madelene?”
“Very much so. I didn’t feel worthy of her either. But love knows best.” His brow furrowed. “And perhaps even Ash.” He chuckled. “He seems to be a bit of a matchmaker.”
“You think he knew Trent and I would fall in love?”
Simon shrugged. “It’s impossible to read that man’s mind.
But he’s certainly the reason Madelene and I are together, and from the stories I’ve heard, he’s also the reason Fitz and Patrick are with their wives.
It wouldn’t be that much of a surprise, now that I know him.
He seems to observe people and discern things the rest of us simply don’t see. ”
“Well, whether it was his doing, or just happenstance, I am glad for it. Trent is a good man.”
Simon nodded with a heavy sigh. “I think he probably is.”
“He is, Simon. And I’ll thank you to not put bruises on him again.”
“Bruises? I never did anything to hurt him.”
“Oh yes you did.” She nudged him with her elbow. “On the night we went to visit Norman. I saw them the next day.”
“Oh. Well, perhaps I was a bit rough with him. But I needed to be sure he was safe for you.”
She raised her brow, and he sighed. “Alright. I’ll apologize to him.”
“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek. “And thank you for always looking out for me, Simon. You’re the best brother I could have ever had. Will you give me away?”
“Of course I will.” He pulled her in and pressed a kiss against her forehead. His embrace was comforting. “I know you’re tired of hearing it, but you are amazing, Samantha.”
She shook her head against his shoulder. “Not you too.”