Page 33 of The Charming Words of a Common Scoundrel
“Abigail, look at me please,” he asked.
Abigail raised her watery eyes. Sam hated Dolan even more. “I’m married. I’m not looking for a mistress, and if I were looking for a companion, it would not be you. For as long as you work for Kincaide Travel, you will never have to do that type of work again.”
She let out a sob and pressed her hand to her mouth. Sam handed her a handkerchief and waited quietly while she composed herself.
“You will not be sorry, Mr. Kincaide. I truly mean that.”
Sam smiled. “I know.”
Abigail smiled and rose before making her way to the door.
“Abigail.”
She turned back and he said, “Let me know if you notice anything strange and make sure to always take the guard I hired with you everywhere you go. We have no reason to think that Dolan is looking for you. We know he didn’t send anyone to Bath but just in case.”
The smile fell from her face. Sam reassuringly said, “It will be fine. Just a precaution.”
She frowned, not at all reassured and excused herself. Sam picked the paper up and scowled at the damn article again. It was a London paper, and he wondered how Clara was coping with such outrageous gossip. He pondered if she believed the writer, but it was likely she didn’t care. Their marriage was for convenience only.
Chapter 13
Clara sat with Diana in her drawing room having tea. The topic of their discussion was Clara’s time with Addie. The papers had latched onto their friendship, and it was almost an everyday occurrence that they were written about. They attended the theater, drove Addie’s phaeton in Hyde Park, spent time with Addie’s friends, and laughed more than Clara ever thought possible.
“I’m just saying that over time, if you tried your best, you could be welcomed back into polite society. After all, your husband’s brother is a duke.”
Clara knew Diana was right. If she were patient and played the role of a proper lady embarrassed by her scandal, things could improve. But part of her didn’t care. She had found a whole new set of friends who didn’t care if she was ruined or not. Over the last few weeks, and the longer Sam continued to stay in Liverpool, Clara had started to realize being ruined and having a husband who didn’t give a fig about what she did was perfectly fine. Well, except she couldn’t stop dreaming about him and the kiss in Adderly’s cardroom. She pushed the thought away, frustrated her mind kept going back to it.
“What would you have me do, Diana? Sit at home and wait for some respectable lady to invite me to tea?”
Diana frowned. “I love you, Clara. I’m not saying this to make you cross with me. I just want what is best for you. Perhaps go visit your husband? There is talk about why he is away?”
Clara rolled her eyes. She knew what everyone thought. He was in Liverpool canoodling with a new mistress. What could she say? Sam had given her freedom. That is all he promised. A dull ache pierced her heart at the thought of him with his mistress. Stop, she told herself. She needed to move on. They had made their choices. She would enjoy her freedom and not think about it.
“She is my friend, Diana. I would ask that you get to know her. We are taking her phaeton to Hyde Park this afternoon. Why don’t you meet us there?”
Diana stayed quiet, hesitant of the idea. Clara’s lips twisted into a grimace at her sister's reluctance to be seen with Addie or her. “Clara, I would love to but if Mother and Father found out, they would be livid.”
“Who cares!” Clara said, frustrated.
“Please don’t be angry with me. When they found out about our shopping trip, they wouldn’t let me see Henry for a full week.”
Clara’s stomach flip-flopped at the mention of their brother. She still hadn’t seen him, and she missed him dreadfully. Her lips trembled, and she took a deep breath to compose herself. Diana frowned at her with concern.
“Please don’t think badly of me. I just can’t imagine Henry only having them.”
Diana was right. It would do Henry no good to be left with only their cold and selfish parents. He was such a warm and caring boy, but time with only them would destroy that goodness in him.
“Clara, please—”
“I understand. One of us needs to be in his life. I’m sorry, Diana.”
Diana’s eyes watered. “I’m sorry that I can’t be more accepting.”
~
A few days later, Sam stood on the docks surveying the ship theSS Delphinthat came in from Philadelphia. It had been knocked around by rough waves during the crossing and one of the saloons had significant damage. Luckily, most of the passengers had written it off as an adventure but Captain James Monroe indicated it was far more dangerous than they realized. It would cost a pretty penny to repair. They were financially solvent and doing well but this still would be a dent.
He sighed and turned to walk back to his offices but almost ran directly into Jack.
