She turned pale at his statement. “Sam, I’m fine. I don’t need you to defend me. I want us to form a relationship with my parents. That is the only way I can be part of Henry’s life.”
He laughed darkly. His wife had lost her mind if she thought her parents would ever welcome them freely.
Her eyes started to water, and Sam’s stomach clenched in anguish. He never wanted to hurt Clara, but he would not stand by and let them insult her. He would find a way to make this right. Miller would have information soon enough on the Claremores. If they would not accept Clara of their own free will, he damn well would make sure they had to.
“Sam, you are scaring me,” she whispered.
He didn’t say anything. He should tell her about Abigail, but he stopped himself. He knew Clara would never betray his confidence, but he didn’t want her involved in the messy and possibly dangerous situation. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the seat. They rode in silence until they arrived home. He stepped out of the carriage and waited for Clara. She made her way up the steps of the townhouse and glanced back at him. “Are you coming?”
Sam needed to see Miller. He shook his head and said, “I need to go out.”
Her eyes flashed. “You just caused a scene and now you are leaving.”
Fury flared within him. He was doing all of this to protect her, to make sure she had the life she was supposed to lead.
“I won’t be long,” he said.
“What is so important that you have to leave now? Where are you going?”
“I need to go to the Den.”
She walked back down the steps. “Why? We have caused enough of a scene for one night.”
He clenched his jaw in frustration, wanting to yell at her that he did this all for her. He said nothing, choosing to remain silent.
“Don’t wake me when you return,” she snapped.
He glared at her. “I will sleep in my own room.”
She looked startled but stared up at him defiantly. “You do that, Mr. Kincaide.”
He climbed back in the carriage and punched the seat across from him.
Chapter 20
Sam strode into the Den, looking for Miller. The place was busy with people congregating everywhere. He could hear a lady singing a bawdy tale from one of the rooms and men laughing and joining in. Any other time he would have joined the lively fun for a bit, but marriage seemed to have changed him. He made his way up the steps to the offices. He glanced over the railing into the great room below to see Devons playing host to the nobs. He seemed to be telling them a story that had them all rolling with laughter. Sam shook his head. People said he could charm anyone; Devons even surpassed him.
A guard approached him, and Sam asked, “Is Miller around?”
The guard nodded and escorted him to Miller’s office, opening the door. Miller looked up from his work and smiled. “Sam, it is good to see you.”
“Why are you always squirreled away up here looking over books, while Devons plays host?” Sam said.
Miller rose and poured them each a brandy before sitting back down. Sam joined him sitting in one of the chairs that faced the desk.
“We all have our parts,” Miller said. “Devons the host, me the books, and Derry the silent backer.”
Sam shook his head. “No matter where you work you are always the practical one.”
Miller, prior to becoming part owner in the Den, had been the Kincaide family’s man of affairs. He was still sorely missed. In the years he was with them, he was not just their man of affairs but grew to become a close friend. For a time, Sam thought he would court Annie, but he never did. “You should come for one of Jack’s dinners. I imagine Annie and Sophia miss you.”
At the mention of Annie, Miller’s expression became pained briefly. “Your sisters need to be focused on their seasons, not spending time with an old friend. I imagine there are plenty of nobs seeking their hands.”
He hadn’t been present for his sisters this season and honestly didn’t know their suitor prospects. He grimaced. “My scandal has likely decreased any interest and we are quickly reaching the end of the season.”
Miller snorted. “You are still a wealthy man and Jack is still a duke. It is more likely Annie is putting them off and Sophia has her hopes set on Landers.”
Sam frowned. “Jack thinks Landers is too young.”
