Sam followed him down the hall to the study. Claremore sat behind an imposing ornately carved mahogany desk, glaring at him with disdain. Sam took his time, slowly making his way to the wingback chair that faced Claremore. He straightened his garments before casually placing himself in the chair. The duke’s face became red as if insulted that Sam didn’t immediately bow and plead with him. Too bad, Sam thought. He held all the power.
“What do you want, Kincaide?” Claremore barked.
Sam smiled at him as if he were a friend at one of his clubs. “So nice of you to see me,” he replied.
Claremore remained silent as Sam studied him. He seemed cold and detached but as the silence in the room grew, Sam could tell he was nervous. He shifted and played with his hands too much.
“I am here to make you a deal.”
“I don’t make deals with people like you,” Claremore said.
Sam reached over and grabbed the card the butler had presented to him, dangling it in his fingers. “If that were the case you would not have seen me. I don’t want to play games, Claremore. I have two requests of you. The first is you welcome your daughter back into society and the second is you allow her to see her brother.”
Claremore scoffed before his lips twisted into a sneer. “What makes you think you can demand anything from me?”
Sam tossed the card back on his desk before leaning forward. “Because I own half your debt.”
“You are nothing more than a common social climber.”
Sam smiled at him. “I don’t care what you think of me, but you will acquiesce to my demands or there will be consequences.”
Claremore rolled his eyes. “We will not speak ill of Clara or you.”
Sam snapped. He reached over the large desk and grabbed Claremore by his cravat, pulling him forward across the desk. Claremore’s eyes bulged, and he sputtered.
“You will do more than that. You will welcome her into society, and even spend time with her. Do I make myself clear?” Sam said before pushing Claremore back to his side of the desk and letting him go.
Claremore stood outraged but eyed Sam warily. “You truly are a ruffian.”
Sam arched a blond eyebrow at him. Claremore straightened his coat and said, “But we will do as you wish.”
“And you will allow Clara to meet with her brother?”
Claremore pursed his lips, “We don’t want her behavior to influence his character.”
Sam scowled, and Claremore skittered back until he hit the bookshelf behind him.
“It isn’t a request. My wife and I will be at Hyde Park, near the dock everyone relaxes at around two this afternoon. Make sure you, your wife, and your son are there,” Sam said.
Claremore glared at him but nodded in agreement. Sam turned and left him cowering behind his desk.
~
Clara sat on a blanket next to the Serpentine in Hyde Park with the Kincaide family. It was a beautiful sunny day. They didn’t get very many of those, so she was glad they had escaped for the afternoon. Sam lounged next to her, with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes and winked at her. Clara laughed. “I thought you were sleeping.”
Sam stood and held his hand out, flashing her a smile that made her heart thump wildly. “Would you care to join me for a walk?”
She reached for his hand, and he pulled her up. “Where shall we go?” she asked, amused.
He guided her along a pathway by the Serpentine until they reached the little dock where Sam had rescued her when she tumbled in the water. She looked at him questioningly and asked, “Why are we here?”
He smiled and hopped onto the dock. “I just wanted to remind you how I rescued you.”
She arched a pale blonde brow in his direction. “Mr. Kincaide, I believe that makes you a braggart.”
Sam leaned into her, and Clara flushed at his closeness. “I just want to remind you, so later when we are home, you properly worship me.”
She tilted her head back and laughed loudly, so loudly that people stopped and looked at her in shock. Clara knew why; to them she was the Ice Princess of the ton. She never expressed so much emotion.
