“You can stay with us until the marriage,” Mercy said, making Sam adore her more than he already did.
“This is nonsense, Clara. Tell them you are fine,” her father ordered.
Clara looked at them and then back at Sam. She bit her rosebud lips and her brows furrowed in thought. “Do you mean it?” she asked.
He nodded. She looked one last time at her parents, and she turned back to him and said, “I accept your proposal, Mr. Kincaide.”
Relief filled Sam instantly. Clara’s mother stepped towards her and whispered, “You have disgraced us. How dare you lower yourself!”
The color drained from Clara’s face and before Sam could say anything Mercy stepped forward. “Enough. Leave us now, Your Grace. As you said, she is no longer your family.”
~
In shock, Clara sat in the carriage with the Duke of Peyton, his wife, and Sam Kincaide. The last hour had been a whirlwind of activity. After Clara made her choice, they quietly left the garden, not returning to the ball. She stood awkwardly outside with Sam while his sisters were collected. His sisters were placed in Sam’s carriage while Clara, Sam, Peyton, and his wife were placed in Peyton’s.
They now lumbered down a London street, going where Clara had no idea. She couldn’t believe she was disowned and marrying Sam Kincaide. Her eyes drifted toward him, and an overwhelming sense of guilt came over her. Gone was Sam’s easy grin, replaced with a despondent frown. He stared out the window, quieter than she had ever seen him. She studied him, trying to think of something to say that would make everything right.
“We don’t have to marry,” she said.
He slowly turned his head towards her and scowled. “We will marry.”
Clara flushed, embarrassed. She wasn’t used to the serious, scowling man who sat across from her.
“Careful Sam, you are starting to sound like your brother,” Mercy said.
The Duke of Peyton harrumphed. Clara could feel tears forming in her eyes and was horrified by her show of emotion. She was never emotional. She took a deep breath and looked down, hoping the tears weren’t noticeable. Her lips trembled, and she tilted her chin up, trying to regain her composure. Her blue eyes connected with Sam’s hazel eyes. Gone was the scowl, replaced only with concern.
“Hey. It will be fine,” he said.
How would it be fine? She doubted he ever planned to marry anyone. What would a marriage be like between them? She pressed her lips together to prevent any sobs from escaping. A lone tear slid down her cheek, and she brushed it away.
“Ignore my shortness. I’m just upset your parents would actually continue your marriage to Dolan. It will all work out. Right, Mercy?” Sam said.
His sister-in-law looked at him in a mixture of shock and amazement. She then nodded and smiled at Clara. “It will all work out. Sam and Jack will procure a special license as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Clara said.
“Call me Mercy and my husband Jack. We will get you settled at our house for the night. We can plan more tomorrow when everyone is a little more clear-headed.”
Clara glanced at Mercy’s husband, who seemed to have no interest in her calling him anything. Clara nodded, and the carriage fell silent for the remainder of the trip.
Chapter 10
Sam stood, leaning against the wall as his furious, ducal brother stalked back and forth across the study. Every so often Jack would turn to him as if he were about to erupt, but then he would continue with his silent pacing. Eventually, Jack stopped and took a deep breath, straightening his jacket before sitting on the sofa.
“Tell me how this happened?” he asked politely.
They were in a messy situation, but Sam had to stop himself from smiling at his brother’s attempt to remain calm. Sam knew him too well. Underneath that calm exterior he was on the verge of exploding.
“Sam?” Jack bit out.
Sam pushed himself from the wall, strode to the sideboard and poured himself a brandy. He sat down in a chair across from his brother.
“Perhaps I fell for her?”
His brother raised a skeptical brow in his direction. “You fall for a new lady every week but don’t propose to them.”
Sam scowled at Jack. He didn’t fall for a new lady every week. He spent time with several ladies but that was different from falling for them.
