Page 34 of The Charming Words of a Common Scoundrel
His brow wrinkled in confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking on my business.”
Sam lifted a blond brow. “Our business is just fine.”
Jack stood next to him and perused the ship. “Monroe said that the lovelyDelphinhas some pretty extensive damage.”
Sam nodded. “She’ll recover. Why are you here?”
His brother continued to silently examine the ship. He grimaced as his eyes identified the damaged area.
“No one was hurt?”
Sam shook his head. “Monroe said it was an intense situation, but all passengers are fine and clueless of the real danger.”
Sam studied Jack. He never just showed up for a random visit. What was he doing here?
“To what do I owe the honor of a visit from His Grace? I’m sorry that I haven’t been around to help escort Annie and Sophia.”
Jack scowled. “You should be damn sorry.”
Sam looked at his brother bewildered. “I hope Sophia and Annie are enjoying themselves.”
Jack ignored his comment and said, “It has been weeks since your wedding. We have heard nothing from you.”
Pacing, Sam ran his fingers through his blond hair. “It hasn’t been that long.”
“Over six weeks,” Jack said.
“I need to look at the interior damage to the ship.”
Jack nodded. “We are going to talk about it though.”
Sam sighed. He had no doubt. His happily married brother wasn’t here to look over the business but ask Sam questions about his relationship with Clara.
~
Clara sat at Mercy’s tea doing better than she thought she would. She studied her sister-in-law who flitted from one guest to the next. Barely a year ago Mercy’s own scandal had been the talk of thetonand now she was hosting teas. Maybe in a year that is how it would be for Clara? Clara grimaced; not likely. A scandal was always so much more forgivable when it ended in a love match or when your partner in the scandal was a duke. Clara sighed; she didn’t care if Sam was a duke but lately found herself daydreaming about how life would be if her marriage was real. She was having a great time with Addie but missed Sam or at least what she thought life would be like together. She was tempted to write Sam a letter asking when he would return but always stopped herself. She didn’t want to be nagging.
“Clara! I’m so glad you attended. Mercy said she has sent you several invitations, but you always decline,” Sophia said.
She was a delightful young lady with fiery red hair. Where Clara found comfort in being proper and calm, Sophia exuded excited energy.
“I appreciate Mercy’s invitations, but I think we both know it’s best that I didn’t attend.”
Sophia’s eyes danced with mischief. “Do you really think I care?”
Clara smiled politely at her. She truly did love her spirit and hoped whoever she married cherished it.
“If you had attended the ball, you would have seen me dance with the Viscount Landers. He is sinfully handsome. We danced together twice,” she said excitedly.
Clara's lips quirked up. Sinfully handsome is not what she would call the willowy barely old enough to be on the marriage-mart Landers.
“Sophia, enough with Landers. You’ve met him twice,” Annie said, joining them along with Mercy.
“I can’t stop talking about him. He is everything I want.”
Annie snorted. “May we join you, Clara?” Mercy asked.
