Her body tingled and his lips quirked in delight at the reaction he was causing. Oh, how she craved this man. She shook her head as if trying to break the ever-present connection between them. “We must get this right. It’s our first ball as husband and wife.”
He rolled his eyes. “Clara, you are the epitome of the perfect lady. No one could ever question that.”
She knew he was right, but it didn’t take the worry away. She had put the thought of gaining back any respectability out of her mind but with the chance to see her parents tonight, a small sliver of hope had started to bloom. She hadn’t realized how badly she wanted it even if it was just for the chance to see Henry.
She nodded and walked over to him, touching his chest while looking up at him. “I just want this to go well.”
His eyes clouded with desire, and he leaned down, scattering kisses along her jaw. “I want you.”
She closed her eyes, enjoying his touch, wanting nothing more than to forget the ball and drag him to bed. Clara shook her head, trying to push the fog of desire away. She opened her eyes and said, “Promise that you will do your best to be respectable.”
His eyes widened as if she’d slapped him. She closed her eyes, horrified at how her statement had come out. He was always respectable, and she couldn’t really ask or want him to be any more than who he was. She was just nervous to see her parents.
“Sam, I didn’t mean—”
His normally happy face became shuttered, and he interrupted her. “Don’t worry Clara. I promise to not embarrass you in front of all the lords and ladies.”
“Sam—”
He held out his arm, leaving no room for discussion. She took his arm, wanting to say more, but she held back. She knew she had hurt him with her remark. Blast it!
They made their way down to the foyer and out to the carriage. Once the carriage was moving, she said, “I didn’t mean that you aren’t respectable. I’m just nervous.”
His mouth twisted in a smirk, and he said coldly, “Don’t worry, Clara. I understand your concern. I am not one of you, but I promise I can make it a few hours without embarrassing you. Let’s not continue with this discussion.”
She flushed, unaccustomed to his dismissive tone. They rode the remainder of the way in silence. She swallowed, trying to push away the lump that had formed in her throat. She wanted to tell him she was terrified and didn’t mean what she had said, but she remained silent, reluctant to explain the inner turmoil she was feeling. He didn’t care what anyone thought. Would he even understand? The carriage came to a stop, and he stepped out. He leaned in and held his hand out to her, “Mrs. Kincaide?”
She frowned at him, feeling that the last few moments had changed something between them. She wanted to see him smile, but he stood stoically before her. “Clara,” he bit out.
Clara nodded and took his hand, stepping out of the carriage. They made their way up the steps of the townhouse and into the foyer. Perhaps she imagined the change in his demeanor. She glanced at him and saw his jaw was clenched. He looked regal, very un-Sam like but the epitome of a gentleman. No, he was not happy, and it caused her stomach to flutter.
“Shall we?” he said formally.
They stepped into the ballroom and the butler announced, “Mr. and Mrs. Kincaide.”
The room grew silent as they made their way in. Clara pushed her shoulders back and tilted her chin up, falling back on the bearing she had been taught to always hold. Her eyes shifted to Sam. His bearing was impeccable and his expression free of his normal mischievousness. She should have been happy with the change, but she had the overwhelming desire to shake him back to his normal self. He guided her through the room, stopping before his brother Jack and bowed. Jack looked at Sam questioningly. Clara flushed, knowing that such formality wasn’t common between them.
Mercy smiled at her. “How are you?”
Clara forced herself to smile. “Wonderful.”
She leaned over and squeezed Clara’s hand. “I am so glad to see both of you here.”
“I’m glad to see you too,” Clara said.
Clara glanced around the room. Everyone had moved on from their entrance and gone back to their conversations. She took a deep breath. So far so good. She continued to look around the room until she settled on her parents who stood speaking with Dolan. The sight of them together caused her to stumble backwards. She couldn’t believe they were still friendly with him. Her eyes connected with Dolan’s, and he smirked at her. She could see the anger in his eyes as they slowly ran over her.
She stepped closer to Sam, and he lifted an eyebrow at her questioningly. She smiled up at him, not wanting him to worry. He glanced around the room and scowled when his eyes landed on Dolan, still watching her. Sam glowered, and she squeezed his arm, wanting to reassure him she was fine. Dolan leaned in to say something to her parents, and then they all looked their way and laughed.
Clara flushed.
Sam looked down at her and said, “If you will excuse me.”
“Sam, please don’t,” she said, still holding his arm.
He shook her off and stalked across the room to Dolan. She wanted to rush after him and ask him not to cause a scene. She would lose Henry forever. Her eyes swung to Mercy and Jack, and she shook her head in horror.
~
