~
Sam was making his way down to the breakfast room as his adoptive brother Jack, the Duke of Peyton, and his wife Mercy emerged from their room. Jack whispered in her ear, and she blushed the shade of a strawberry. His brother smiled down at her as he reopened the door. Sam rolled his eyes, having no doubt his brother was trying to convince his wife to go back to bed. She giggled and looked around the hallway. Her eyes connected with Sam’s and her smile widened, delighted to see him.
“What are you doing up so early?”
“Watching the two of you moon all over each other,” he said dryly.
She laughed and grabbed Jack’s arm, pulling him down the hallway. His brother scowled at him, not thrilled to be interrupted. Mercy let go of Jack’s arm and looped it through Sam’s.
“Now tell us, where have you been? I feel like we didn’t see you at all yesterday,” Mercy asked.
Sam laughed. “That is what happens when you retire before almost everyone at the party.”
Jack scowled at him. “We were feeling unwell.”
Sam snorted and Mercy blushed. “Well, we are feeling much better now. Will you be joining us for breakfast?” she said.
Sam couldn’t pass up an opportunity to annoy his brother, who he knew desperately wanted his wife to join him back in bed. “Of course. I was hoping to run into you, so I wouldn’t have to eat alone.”
Jack shook his head in disbelief and Sam smiled. His words were maybe a stretch. He may not be sought after by marriage-minded ladies, but he never lacked for company.
His sister-in-law said, “Well, I am so glad we ran into you. We can spend the whole day together.”
Jack growled behind them and both he and Mercy stopped. His sister-in-law looked back at Jack and said, “Are you okay?”
Sam winked at Jack. His brother looked like he wanted to strangle him, but said, “Perfectly fine. Just hungry.”
They made their way to the breakfast room and sat at one of the tables. Sam stretched his massive shoulders. He was tired and probably needed to go back to bed. Between his time with Lady Hawley and his encounter with the Ice Princess, he hadn’t slept much. His eyes scanned the room, wondering if she was there. They finally caught sight of her sitting at one of the tables with her sister, Lady Hensley, and Lord Hensley. He studied her. She was perfect as usual. Her pale blonde hair perfectly arranged on the top of her head without a single loop out of place. She sat stiffly, elegantly attired in a day dress and delicately drinking tea. Lady Clara was truly the Ice Princess, so different from the lady he encountered last night. She wasn’t his type, and he didn’t venture near innocents, but something about her fascinated him.
“Your Graces and Mr. Kincaide, may we join you?” Lady Hawley screeched as she and a friend hovered by their table.
Her voice was so loud that Lady Clara's eyes pivoted in their direction and connected with his. Sam was so distracted he didn’t reply, and Lady Hawley nervously giggled. The sound echoed through the room. She really did have an awful laugh. The side of Lady Clara’s mouth twitched up, and she quickly looked away. His Ice Princess was about to laugh at him.
He turned his gaze back to the lovely Lady Hawley and flashed her a dazzling smile. “Please sit.”
It wasn’t her fault that she had an awful laugh. She was a delightful woman. She giggled again as she and her friend sat, and Sam glanced Lady Clara’s way. Their eyes connected, and she subtly raised one of her elegant blonde eyebrows. Fascinating, Sam thought.
Chapter 2
Clara made her way to the lawn, dreading whatever game Lady Adderly had planned for everyone today. She had almost stayed in her room, but Diana said it would be considered rude, and Clara was never rude. Arrogant and standoffish, yes, but never rude. Years of etiquette training and harsh punishments had ingrained that in her. She caught sight of Diana and Hensley across the lawn and made her way over to them. As she walked past her peers, they all greeted her with a mixture of awe and fear. Clara could see it in their faces. It was important to be acknowledged by the Ice Princess, but everyone feared she may actually stop and speak with them.
She smiled politely and continued on. A loud laugh distracted her, and her gaze swung in the direction of the sound. On a blanket sat the Duke of Peyton, his wife, Sam Kincaide, and a gaggle of ladies, including the owner of the laugh, Lady Hawley. Clara quickly looked away. Distracted, her foot made contact with a small dip in the lawn. She gasped and crumpled to the ground in a heap. Everyone went silent, shocked to see her make such a misstep. She closed her eyes, horrified at her clumsiness. She opened them to see Kincaide standing over her, holding out his hand. The smile he used to charm all the ladies was turned down in a frown, and his eyes were clouded with concern.
“Lady Clara, may I be of assistance?” he said.
Clara felt the heat rush to her face, but she politely placed her hand in his. He effortlessly pulled her up. They stared at each other until, finally, Kincaide smiled broadly and winked at her before turning to the onlookers. “No need to gawk everyone, even the grand Lady Clara is allowed a misstep.”
Everyone laughed and applauded. Kincaide bowed, playing to the crowd. Clara smiled tightly.
“Thank you, Mr. Kincaide.”
He winked at her and loudly said, “Anytime, Lady Clara.”
She nodded and continued on. Everyone’s eyes followed her. Clara pushed her shoulders back, settling her body into the perfect posture she was known for. It was her armor against the world. She reached Diana and Hensley who frowned at her with concern.
“Are you hurt?” Diana asked.
Clara shook her head, more mortified than hurt. She glanced back at Kincaide who was lounging on a blanket. She studied him as he tilted his head back and laughed loudly. His golden hair shone in the sun and his massive shoulders shook with abandon. She felt a twinge of envy at how carefree he was. Why was she gawking at Sam Kincaide? She turned back to her sister, unwilling to think about her own question.
