Page 70 of The Charming Words of a Common Scoundrel
Clara sat to the right of her mother during dinner. Sam had been placed farther down the table near Addie. She watched them talk and jealousy uncoiled in her belly. Addie’s beauty and carefree personality complemented her husband’s better than hers ever would. She tilted her chin up and straightened her spine. No, she would never be mistaken for carefree.
“Do you not worry about them?” her mother asked quietly.
Clara frowned back at her mother. There was no mistaking they were related; she was the spitting image of her. Beyond her bearing, Clara had her same blonde hair and slender figure. All of her Ice Princess traits came from her.
“Of course not.”
Her mother studied Sam and Addie, her mouth twisting in disdain. “I do not know how you don’t worry about him.”
Clara pursed her lips together, knowing her mother was trying to plant seeds of doubt in her mind about Sam.
“Men like your husband are not easily fulfilled, and there are plenty of bored ladies around.”
She felt herself flush. She looked around the table, wondering if anyone else was listening to their conversation. Everyone seemed preoccupied. “True ladies like us do not belong with men like him,” her mother continued.
Clara gripped the glass she was holding tighter. How was it possible that her mother could make her feel lacking?
“You are wrong.”
Her mother looked at her with motherly concern, startling her. “I am not trying to be cruel. You just need to be aware of these things.”
Was her mother actually worried for her? Clara forced herself to relax and released her grip on her glass. She smiled. “We are fine.”
Her mother shrugged and turned away from her, joining another conversation. Clara looked back down at Sam. He was engrossed in a conversation with Lady Livens across the table from him. He was too bloody handsome for his own good. His eyes sparkled as he spoke with her, and she laughed, covering her mouth. He winked at her before drinking from his glass. Lady Liven’s eyes roamed over him, and Clara looked around to see several women staring at him just the same way. She pressed her lips together. He looked her way and smiled. She stared back at him, icily. He tilted his head in question. Clara turned away, overwhelmed by the furious emotions she felt looking at him. Would he eventually tire of her?
Chapter 25
The next morning, Sam opened his eyes to see his wife sleeping. She had been quiet on the carriage ride home and quickly went to bed shortly afterwards. He brushed back a cascade of her hair that was falling over her face. She opened her eyes startled and stared back at him with a frown.
“Good morning,” he said, leaning in for a kiss.
She gently pressed her lips to his before pulling away and climbing out of the bed. He frowned. “Why are you so quick to leave me?”
She shrugged and said, “I plan on having tea today with my sister and mother. I just need to start my day.”
Her coldness surprised him. “Is there something wrong, Clara?”
She looked at him haughtily. “Of course not.”
He rose and wrapped his arms around her, smiling. “Why are you so proper this morning?”
She pulled away. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Sam’s heart constricted at her aloofness. He didn’t understand it. “Clara—”
A knock on the door interrupted him and Clara said, “Enter.”
Deliah entered, ready to get Clara dressed for the day.
Sam looked at Clara confused, and she looked back at him, pointedly. “If you will excuse me, I need to dress.”
He left through the door that separated their rooms, slamming it behind him. What the hell was going on? He quickly dressed before making his way down to the breakfast room and fixed himself a plate. He wasn’t hungry. He sat there fuming at the change in Clara.
His plate was still untouched when Clara finally made her way into the room. His body reacted to her even though he was furious. She was beautiful. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head, and she wore a pale pink and grey day dress. He shoved food in his mouth to give himself something to do while he studied his wife, wondering what she was so upset about. She sat down, quietly. The staff wandered in and out while they sat in tense silence. Sam finally said, “Everyone out.”
Clara lifted a haughty brow. They both remained quiet until the room was empty except for them. Sam leaned back in his chair. “What is it? You have barely spoken to me since we left your parents’ house.”
She placed her fork down and said, “I don’t know what you mean.”
