Page 52 of The Charming Words of a Common Scoundrel
Miller shook his head. “I am sorry. I cannot believe Mercy, Annie, and Lady Hawley pulled such a scheme on you. Did they say why they wanted you to think your wife was taking Devons as a lover?”
Because they were meddlesome, Sam thought. He shrugged. “Hoping to get some reaction out of me. Likely reading too many romance novelettes.”
Miller laughed. “It seems more like something Sophia would dream up. Are you sure she wasn’t part of it?”
Devons chuckled. “Rumor has it she will be betrothed to Derry’s heir soon enough.”
Derry scowled.
Sam studied him. “Is there a reason why you would not want Sophia to wed him?”
Derry shook his head. “My heir is still very young.”
Sam let it go. Hell, he thought Sophia was still very young but as she liked to tell him, she would be almost twenty-three soon and it was almost scandalous she was still unwed.
Devons twirled his glass and asked, “Is this a social visit?”
Sam shook his head. “No, I can’t stay long. I wanted to speak with Miller about helping me with something.”
“You know I will always help you and your family.”
Sam nodded his thanks. “I would like to investigate Clara’s family.”
All three men looked at him questioningly.
“What are you looking for?” Miller asked.
Sam was silent for a moment but finally said, “Anything—good or bad—that will help me get Clara back in their good graces.”
“They are not a very forgiving family. Does your wife know you are doing this?” Derry asked.
“No and I would like her not to know,” Sam stated.
Miller made a note in a small journal he kept with him.
Devons asked, “What do you expect to find?”
Sam shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
“Tread carefully, Kincaide. I like you but peers do not like anyone digging around in their lives or pushing them to do something they do not want. This may backfire or even upset your wife,” Derry suggested.
Sam scowled. He didn’t need Derry lecturing him. He rose and said to Miller, “Let me know once you discover anything.”
Miller nodded and Sam headed to the door but stopped when he heard Devons chuckling. He turned and looked at him. Devons smirked. “Who would have thought another Kincaide would be done in by love?”
Derry and Miller laughed. It wasn’t love he told himself as he threw himself up on his horse and galloped back to his townhouse.
Chapter 19
Clara studied herself in the mirror, double checking for any missed imperfections. Her green dress hugged her waist before twirling down in a swirl of green and the palest grey. She took a deep breath, trying to settle her nerves. This was the first invitation Sam and Clara had received for the season. Unshockingly, it was from Lady Blakesley. While just as proper as her mother, she didn’t seem to possess the same rigid standards.
Clara pressed a hand to her stomach and took a deep breath, hoping to settle her nerves. She shouldn’t be nervous. Over the last few months, she had acquired a group of friends that embraced her, scandal and all.
What was making her nervous was the fact that her parents would be there with Diana and Hensley. This evening could be a new beginning for all of them, she thought optimistically. Her blonde hair was tied up in ringlets around her head, everything perfectly in place. She pushed her shoulders back and tilted her chin up.
“You look beautiful but very much back to your proper self,” her husband said from the doorway with a chuckle.
Clara turned and her breath caught at the sight of him. He was dressed in all black and his jacket fit him snugly. She blushed; her husband was almost too sinful to look at. Her eyes lingered on his hands, and she imagined them on her. Filled with desire, she jerked her eyes back up to his.
