Page 82 of Escorting the CEO
He nodded. “She was a wonderful mentor. Very patient, never critical, always encouraging.”
“She sounds special.”
“She was.” Philips flashed a brief smile. “Her family adored her. It was very sad when she died.”
“I’m sure.”
Philips was quiet for a moment before he said, “I don’t think Mr. Barrington has ever been at ease since his mother’s death.”
I startled. “That’s so… sad.”
“It is,” Philips agreed. “And I know I am speaking out of turn, but I’m telling you this for a reason. I want you to know something.”
“What?”
“I hadn’t seen him relaxed until I saw him withyou. This week has been the first time, in years, that he’s seemed happy.”
My insides twisted. I wanted that to be true, but… “I don’t think he’s very happy with me right now.”
“Perhaps not,” Philips said, arranging my hair over my shoulders, “but he was. I understand there’s been some difficulty, but I don’t think you should discount real happiness.”
“Happiness is just a feeling, though.” My brow furrowed. “There are other things that are more important. Like trust. And integrity. And honesty.”
“Three essential things for any relationship,” Philips agreed, finishing with my hair. “Trust is something that is built over time. Sometimes it has to be rebuilt. And it cannot be given away freely—it must be earned.”
I nodded.
“Please relax your face so that I may work on your eyebrows,” Philips instructed. “I can vouch for Mr. Barrington’s integrity and honesty, although he isn’t perfect by any means. But heisa good man doing his best in somewhat challenging circumstances.”
I took a deep breath, weighing how much I should say to the butler. Butfuck it—I was getting married in the morning. I should let it out.
“He wasn’t honest with me, Philips. He hid something from me that he should have disclosed.” I imagined my mother’s wild eyes again, talking about the investigator, and I shuddered.
“And I know that I’m the one speaking out of turn right now,” I continued, “but I can’t trust someone who hides things from me. And it’s not just that… It’s the money. I feel like he manages everything and everyone with money!”
“Completely fair,” Philips said calmly. “I would say that is an astute observation, minus the judgment.”
I sighed. “I’m not trying to judge him.” And yet, I was absolutely doing just that.
Philips tamed my eyebrows with a wand. “It can be difficult to come to Barrington Manor and adjust to what life is like here, and what life is like as a Barrington. It looks aspirationalfrom the outside, all swimming pools and liveried staff and designer clothes. But the reality is very different, as you have so presciently discovered.”
“It isn’t ever going to stop,” I said. “Someone’s always going to want something from him.”
“Also fair. That is the nature of great wealth, I’m afraid.” He lightly held my chin and dusted on eyeshadow. “But as I told you when you arrived at Barrington Manor, there is much good to be had here. Not everyone can see it through their greed. You can do many wonderful things with wealth. It doesn’t have to be all Gigis and ambushes at the North Gate.”
My cheeks heated. “Don’t remind me.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of. Your mother is not your responsibility,” he sniffed. “Rather, you and your siblings arehers, and it sounds as if she’s abandoned that post long ago.”
“She abandoned it, but that doesn’t mean she’s gone.”
“No. She is likely just getting acquainted with the scope of all the things she can ask for,” Philips said, his voice matter-of-fact. “Tilt your chin up? I must curl your lashes.”
“I don’t want to give my mother anything else. She doesn’t deserve it,” I said, even though the sentiment made me feel ugly.
“I’m sure you’re right.” Philips started applying mascara. “But again, sometimes we must take our judgment of others out of it. You are disappointed in Mr. Barrington’s actions, but he’s been navigating such situations since birth. He’s skilled at maneuvering through these difficulties. He accepts them as part of the job and deals with them accordingly.”
“But she’s not part of a job,” I said, getting heated. “She’s mymother.”
