Inside the mansion, butler and ward stood outside Leah's bedroom door. When Leah showed no interest in entering, Wren leaned against the door post in a casual stance.

"I can see why you aren't a fan of Samantha Queen," Wren said with a grin. He hoped it would be enough to lighten the scowl scrunching her face, but the heiress stamped a foot.

"She drives me nuts!" Leah said, "And she was better than usual, believe it or not. I wanted to box her one though."

"I couldn't tell."

She shot him a death glare.

Wren laughed but shifted away as an urge to brush a thumb against her pursed lips struck. "You know you were amazing out there today." He flinched at the huskiness in his voice. Get it together, man.

Leah softened, and the smile he'd wanted to see, blossomed. "Really?"

Their gazes locked. "Yeah. Really."

His heart began to thump hard when her eyes turned from blue frost to soft sky. She looked as if she wanted to say something and her cheeks flushed pink. "So, Wren, there's something I've been wanting to tell you. For a while."

"Okay?"

"Well, I... Oh, never mind."

Curious, Wren pushed off the wall and poked her rib cage. "Spit it out. Come on!" He grinned, then laughed as Leah danced away from him with a squeal.

"No! It's nothing. I've changed my mind."

Lifting his hands, he wiggled his fingers. "The tickle monster will get it out of you. Speak now or forever hold your peace."

Laughing, Leah backed away. "Don't you dare, Butler Boy!"

Wren stepped closer, intending to do as he said, when his phone vibrated. He frowned at the caller id.

"Everything okay?" Leah tried to see the screen, but he shoved it into his suit pocket before she could glimpse the name.

"Yep." He grinned. "You will have to tell me that secret another time, okay? I need to return this call."

She arched a curious brow but shrugged and nodded. "Okay. I'll see you at dinner tonight. Please bring my meal to my room though. I don't want to see Samantha."

"Will do. See you soon. Make sure to rest."

"You had better do the same." She eyed him. "And tell Hilda to call Bates. Don't you dare carry those suitcases!"

Wren's smile widened. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Good. Bye, Wren."

Wren savored the way his name rolled from her lips, and his breath hitched as she cast him one last glance before closing her door. He stared after her. "She's beautiful," he whispered, but then shook his head, pulled his phone from his pocket, walked down the hall, and hit redial.

"Wren?"

"Yes, Sir. You called?"

"I did." Tony Kingsley's voice sounded strained. "How is my daughter?"

"She's doing well, Sir. Though..." Wren hesitated.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, but I think Leah would appreciate a phone call from you. She's hurt you haven't called her."

Tony sighed. "I know. It's been so hectic here."

Wren frowned but switched the subject. "Did you need something in particular?"

"Yes, I did. I hear you met Samantha Queen?"

Wren's frown deepened. How had he known? "Yes, we met, though it was only for a moment."

"It must have been enough because she's taken a liking to you. She called, demanding you be her butler during her stay."

Cold seeped into Wren's limbs. "Sir? She didn't!"

"She did. And, I agreed."

"What? Wait. No! You can't do that to Leah." Anger sparked inside him, and he fought to tamper it. It was out of line to argue with his boss, but accepting this without a fight wasn't an option either. "Leah depends on me. We've built a friendship, trust, and loyalty. And don't get me started on what I had to go through to get to this point. Sir, please, reconsider."

"Now, calm down. It's only for two weeks. If Samantha isn't happy, no one is. And while I appreciate your loyalty to my daughter, this will be good for everyone. I'm convinced."

Wren groaned and raked a hand through his hair. When his fingers grazed against his bandage, he winced. "I disagree. There is no way this could be beneficial."

"Why not? You need rest and don't deny it because Edward told me everything. Samantha plans on staying at the mansion and relaxing for the first week she's there and promised to ensure you are taken care of. Charles agreed to take several weeks of vacation and will transport Leah to and from the hospital. Plus, I have high hopes for Charles and Leah to move beyond friendship. This will be the perfect opportunity for them!"

Emptiness formed a pit in Wren's stomach. He wanted to argue more. Protest how unfair this situation was. Yet, he knew life was rarely fair; He'd learned that at a young age. Defeat sagged his shoulders. "If I must."

"You must."

When Tony hung up, Wren's arm fell limp at his side. His mind grappled for an escape, but he knew: there wasn't one.

"Forgive me, Princess," he whispered. Then, with dragging steps, he headed to the foyer.

***************************************************

Samantha raised a hand, fingering invisible air waves as the wind swirled around her. She breathed deep the fresh mountain air, so different from the air in London. Behind her, the mansion doors opened, and a smile lifted her lips. It was him; she knew it without looking.

"I told you, I'm not a patient person," she said.

"And I believed you."

She could hear his anger; sense it even. She turned to face him, her delight in this butler growing as she took in his broad chest, wavy brown hair, and chiseled jaw that was clenched with anger. The disdain in his gaze excited her. How she loved a challenge! Her eyes swept further to his one remaining bandage bound around his head, reminding her of the agreement.

"You are to call for Bates to help with my luggage as was planned. I want you resting for the afternoon, and then tonight, help me with some light unpacking. Questions?"

"No. I'll get right on it."

Sam's smile fell as the Wren disappeared once again. Victory spurred her adrenaline. "You shouldn't have challenged me, Leah Dear. Now, I will take the one man you care about."

The wind carried her whispered words away.

************************************************

Leah stretched and yawned. Life was good. Fiona was awake. Wren was not only the best butler ever, but she was sure he had feelings for her; she had seen it in his gaze more than once. Grinning, she bit her lip and smothered a squeal. And standing up to Samantha had been icing on the cake. Why then, did she feel a touch of dread?

The fading daylight shining through the cracks of her bedroom curtains coupled with the growling of her stomach reminded her of the time. She glanced at her clock and read 5:00 p.m. She sat up with a determined huff. "Samantha will not control me any longer." Even saying it aloud felt amazing.

She crawled to her knees and pushed the intercom button. "Butler Boy, I want my dinner! Lots of it! I'm hungry as a bear!" She giggled again, knowing he would like her playfulness, and then flopped down into her cocoon of cushions and waited.

It's good to be home, she mused. The only thing that could make it better, was having Fiona at her side.

Ten minutes passed. There was a light knock on her door. Then, footsteps sounded.

"I hope you brought me something good, Butler Boy." Her cheeky grin fell when Charles rounded the corner of her entrance hallway. His eyes were tinged with anger, but he smiled his signature grin.

"Charles... what?"

He set the tray of food he carried on her nightstand before sitting on the edge of her bed. "Are you surprised?" He tapped her nose, his smile widening. "It appears you'll get what you always wanted."

"What I--always wanted?"

"You are officially butler free now! It's just you and me, for the next two weeks."

" Wait, what?" Leah tried to grasp his words. "Where's Wren?"

Charles smile faded. "Why does it matter where he is, Leah? Aren't you excited that we canspend time together again? My father let me take off work for an extended vacation just to be with you."

Remorse stabbed her, and when hurt clouded his eyes, she said, "Y- yes! I'm excited!" She attempted a weak smile. "I just want to know if he's okay. Did something happen to him?"

"He's been put in charge of the Ice Queen herself." A low chuckle followed that statement. She had always loved his laugh, but now, she frowned.

"I don't understand."

"Samantha took a fancy to Wren. Go figure! From what I understand, she called your dad and requested he be her butler during her stay. Tony approved it."

"What?" Leah threw her covers off and sprang from the mattress.

"Hey, wait!"

But she was already racing down her narrow hallway and out the door. Panic gripped her as she dashed down the winding staircase and to the foyer. I won't let her hurt him! Anger swallowed her fear. She was done being controlled by the Queens.

This would stop.

Now.

##