He caught sight of Miller and Devons also in the room, standing off to the side of the fireplace.
Lila glared at him. He frowned at her, unsure what he had done to anger his friend.
“Sorry, I’m late. I am trying to wrap up a few things for my wedding,” he said, stumbling over the last few words.
“That is what I wanted to speak with you about. How could you? You are supposed to protect Abigail and now you are preparing to wed yourself to the daughter of Dolan’s closest friend.”
His mouth dropped in shock, confused by her anger. “I would never share anything I know about Abigail.”
Sam glanced towards Abigail. She stared at the floor refusing to make eye contact with him or anyone. He turned to his friends Devons and Miller who stared at him questioningly. He scowled at all of them. “Lady Clara, was on the verge of being betrothed to Dolan. I stepped in to prevent that.”
“Dolan is looking for Abigail. He sent some men sniffing around here. They are pretty confident she is staying in one of the cottages and somehow associated with you,” Devons said.
“Did you tell them she is with me?”
Devons and Miller shook their heads. “We were unsure if you still wanted to play the role of protector with your upcoming wedding.”
How did he not think of that? He was going to be a married man. Sam hesitated and Abigail said softly, “You don’t need to help me any further. I would never want to impact your relationship. I will figure something out.”
She looked up at him, and he saw the determination in her eyes. Abigail was a survivor. He sensed that about her even with how broken she had been when she showed up on his doorstep. He would help her. Sam said to Devons and Miller, “Let Dolan’s men know Abigail and I had a brief interlude, but she left me for another suitor who offered her a house in Bath. That should keep them distracted for a bit.”
He turned back to Abigail and said, “After my wedding, I plan to leave for Liverpool. I will take you with me and get you work at my family’s passenger vessel company. Would you like that? A fresh start.”
Abigail’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Very much so, Mr. Kincaide.”
He smiled at her. “Then consider it done.”
Devons and Miller looked at him, surprised. “You mean to leave right after your wedding?” Miller asked.
Sam nodded but did not explain further. He didn’t owe them an explanation.
“You don’t think marrying the Duke of Claremore’s daughter and protecting Abigail will be an issue? What if you become close to her family?” Lila asked.
“That will not happen,” Sam bit out.
“How are we supposed to believe that?” Lila snapped back.
“They have disowned her,” he said quietly.
Lila’s eyes widened in surprise but then her face twisted in contempt. “The scandal will eventually die down. You are richer than most of the ton, they will welcome her back.”
Devons shook his head. “The Duke of Claremore won’t. It has nothing to do with money.”
Lila lifted a brow in disbelief.
“Sam is not a peer, and that is unacceptable for families like the duke’s,” Devons added.
Lila, still skeptical, said to Sam, “Give me your word you won’t discuss Abigail with your new wife.”
Sam, growing impatient with her tone said, “What I tell my wife or not tell her is not your concern.”
“She is right, Sam. It is best you do not drag Lady Clara into this. The constable Devons spoke with didn’t show the slightest interest in pursuing Dolan’s actions. The best choice for Abigail is to move to Liverpool as quietly as possible to start a new life,” Miller said.
Why was Sam hesitant to commit to withholding information from his soon to be wife? The marriage would be in name only but for some reason he didn’t want to start his union with Clara that way. Still, Miller was right. The fewer people who knew, the quicker Abigail could continue with her life, and the safer she would be. “For now, we will keep this between the four of us.”
Chapter 11
6 weeks later - Hyde Park
