Sam shivered.

What if Linda took the path of Sam’s mother?

Sam shook her head and forced the memories of her mother’s funeral away.

“Everything is going to be fine.”

Suddenly, Samantha wasn’t so sure.

Albany Hall unfolded in front of Samantha’s eyes as the car drove up the secluded path to a circular drive.

“Oh, my word,” she hissed under her breath. Blake’s childhood home was the size of a small castle. Two distinct wings jutted out from a central structure. Samantha counted three stories, but wouldn’t doubt if there was a massive basement below ground. According to Blake, there were thirty-five rooms, not including servant’s quarters. Blake spoke of a ballroom and conservatory, a library with more volumes than anyone could ever possibly read, and sitting rooms aptly named by the color of the décor. “The blue room is off the main hall, the red room beside it.”

Stepping out of the limousine and into Blake’s world felt a bit like Cinderella at the ball. Only the clock ticking would run for a year. Samantha should have felt comfort with those thoughts, but she pictured the pumpkin and mice running at her feet and her left holding a glass slipper and regrets.

“Ready?” Blake asked before leading her inside.

If Gwen Harrison had any doubts as to Samantha’s presence beside Blake, she did a fine job of hiding it. She latched onto Sam’s arm the minute Blake escorted her into the massive estate and didn’t let go. She was young, beautiful, bubbly and no doubt very spoiled. Linda greeted her with an easy smile and introduced Samantha to Blake’s uncle, two cousins, who both eyed her with speculation, and an aunt on Linda’s side.

The servants stood ready to take her bags, bring her tea, and fade into the background.

“You can’t know how pleased I am to have another woman close to my age around here,” Gwen told Samantha. Where Blake hid his English accent, Gwen reveled in it.

“You’ve never lacked for company,” Linda told her daughter.

“Company, yes, but with family it’s different. Wouldn’t you agree, Samantha? I’ve never had a sister to confide in.” Gwen flashed a beautiful white smile. For a brief moment, Sam felt guilty. Although she had a sister, Jordan wasn’t healthy enough to have a relationship with her like the one Gwen suggested.

It was as if Sam was being given a second chance at a sister through Blake. But again, that year time bomb on their relationship loomed. “I suppose,” Samantha said.

“I have tea prepared in the red room, Blake. Why don’t we sit in there so we can hear all about your whirlwind courtship and marriage?”

Blake managed to slide beside Samantha and take her arm. The heat of him by her side added some comfort to her wandering thoughts. He leaned next to her ear and whispered, “How are you doing?”

Samantha noticed Blake’s cousin Howard watching them, his eyes narrow, his lips pulled down. She lifted Blake’s hand and kissed his knuckles. The light in her husband’s face forced some of the foreboding of their future away. “Fine,” she mouthed the word and Blake squeezed her hand.

Linda ushered them into the red room. Vaulted ceilings sat atop red, grey, and white wallpapered walls. The print was actually subtle despite the color. Floral paintings and silk drapes gave the room a feminine feel. A large bouquet of fresh flowers sat on a mantel above a stone fireplace.

On the coffee table sat a spread of sweet cakes and finger sandwiches, which the men reached for before taking the tea.

“Have you been to Europe before?” Linda asked as she poured dark tea into tiny cups.

“When I was in high school.”

“Then you know about tea time,” Gwen said.

“It’s just an excuse to snack midday,” Blake told her.

Gwen waved her brother off. “Don’t listen to him. He’s allergic to anything remotely English. I don’t think any of us were surprised to hear he’d taken an American wife.”

“Gwen!” Linda scolded.

“It’s true.”

Samantha chuckled.

“It isn’t my fault the women in Europe didn’t hold my interest,” Blake defended himself.

Howard stopped eating to ask, “So you and Samantha have known each other for a long time?”

Samantha and Blake had agreed that he would be the one to field the questions about their relationship. That way neither of them could stumble over the other.

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“What would you say?” Mary, Blake’s aunt asked.

“We met last month.”

“Last month?” Gwen sounded shocked. “How can you marry someone you hardly know?”

Blake put his tea down and reached for Samantha’s hand. “I would have married Samantha on the first day had she said yes. There are some things in life you just know are the right thing to do.”

Paul, Blake’s uncle, sat forward in his chair. “The right thing, you say. Is there something you’re not telling us?”

Blake’s jaw tightened. “What are you asking?”

The women fell silent, their eyes on Samantha.

“Is she pregnant?”

Blake stiffened. “She, has a name, and I insist you use it instead of acting like Samantha isn’t in the room.” The deadly delivery of Blake’s words chilled her. This was a side of him she didn’t see often, and would rather not be on the receiving end of.

A smug smile crossed Paul’s face, but before he could say anything else, Samantha said, “I’m not pregnant.”