Page 72 of The Charming Words of a Common Scoundrel
“She doesn’t know about the girl.”
Jack’s eyes widened in surprise. Sam leaned back and said, “I know I should have told her, but how do you tell someone that their parents were willing to marry her to someone so reprehensible?”
“Are you sure they knew?”
Sam nodded. “I asked Miller to investigate the Claremore’s and Dolan. He discovered that they are very aware of his actions with his mistresses.”
Jack growled. “Did they actually know about Abigail?”
Sam shook his head. “Maybe not Abigail but there were others before her, and they knew about them. The Claremores are also heavily indebted to Dolan.”
“How do you know this?” Jack asked.
“Because Miller researched them, so I could buy their debt. I bought all I could but there is a good portion that I can’t buy, and it is Dolan who holds it.”
Jack frowned and twirled his glass. “Does Clara know you purchased their debt?”
Sam pressed his lips together and shook his head.
Jack set his glass down and asked, “Is that how you convinced them to welcome her back into society?”
Sam nodded, looking at his brother whose eyes were filled with judgement. He scowled. “Don’t judge me, brother. Your own past actions are questionable.”
Jack nodded. “I know, and I almost lost Mercy over it. I don’t think Clara would be happy with your underhanded tactics to get her parents to accept her. And if thetonfinds out she will likely be mortified. I imagine she would rather not have their acceptance than gain it through questionable means.”
Sam wanted to believe that but knew what drove him was making sure she didn’t have to make that choice.
“Sam?” Jack questioned.
“I just don’t want her to regret her choice. We fought this morning over my scoundrel reputation.”
“You are a good man. I think you are underestimating your wife,” Jack pointed out logically.
But logic wasn’t what was driving Sam. It was fear. Fear that someday Clara would regret marrying a man who came from the gutters of Philadelphia. She was already concerned about his pre-marriage actions.
“She asked me to be not so friendly.”
Jack laughed. “I don’t think that is even in you. It is who you are.”
Sam glared back at him. Jack stopped laughing and said, “You can’t change who you are for Clara. I can’t even imagine her asking that of you. Perhaps it was said in a heated moment.”
Sam stayed quiet. Perhaps it was, but it still left him reeling. He didn’t want to delve any further into the dilemma with his brother. “Let’s get some air.”
~
Clara arrived at her parents’ home and was immediately greeted by Henry. He hurled himself into her arms the minute she stepped through the door.
“Clara!”
She wrapped him in her arms and held him tight until he wiggled out of her grasp.
“Mother said you were visiting us today, and I was to show you into the drawing room.”
She smiled at him. He was still so young but clearly itching to sound more like an adult. She nodded and said, “Lead the way my lord.”
They made their way down the expansive hallway that was covered with portraits of the Claremore line. Clara stared at the paintings, generations of a perfect family. For some reason, she wondered if any of them were ever happy. They were proud and dignified but not a hint of happiness exuded from any of the portraits. Her husband's smiling face flashed in her mind, and she flushed thinking about her horrible request of him this morning. Her request had been made in a fit of jealousy. She trusted him and would never want him to be anything other than who he was. Perhaps they would do their own portraits and dare to smile. She smiled softly thinking about it.
“Clara?” Henry said, taking her away from her thoughts.
