“What a pompous man,” Addie said with disdain.
Sam nodded in agreement. He looked at Clara who was frowning at him. He lifted an elegant blond brow in her direction.
“Why cause a scene? You could have just agreed.”
Sam was shocked at her suggestion. He frowned at her. “This is the same man who chased you down in a garden,” he whispered.
Addie's eyes widened in surprise and Sam realized Clara had not shared the full extent of the story with her. Clara flushed and pushed her shoulders back, looking back at them icily. The Ice Princess persona was out. Sam hadn’t seen it in quite some time.
“Did that really happen?” Addie asked.
“I don’t wish to talk about it,” Clara stated.
Addie looked at Sam and said, “Good for you. I wish you would have bloody knocked him out.”
“Addie!” Clara whispered furiously.
Sam wasn’t sure why Clara was so upset. She seemed to sense his confusion and said, “I appreciate everything you have done. I realize how awful he is, but I would like to move on. For Henry, please. That is the most important thing to me.”
Her mother summoned her, and Clara excused herself, quickly making her way over. Sam stood with Addie frowning at his wife. He hated that she was so willing to forgive them. She said it was so she could see her brother, but Sam wondered if she was starting to miss her old life. The thought made him scowl.
“It will be fine,” Addie reassured him.
He looked at her and smiled, pushing away the thoughts. “Of course, it will be.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do not try to throw me off with that charming smile of yours. I am now immune to it, mostly because I like your wife more than you.”
He lifted a blond brow at her. “I see that as you have moved on with Miller.”
Addie smiled. “I like Miller. He is kind and considerate.”
“Let's hope he doesn’t fall in love with you.”
She shrugged as they both studied the crowd. “His heart is owned by someone else.”
He chuckled. “And you know this how?”
The smile fell from her lips, and she said, “I just do.”
Sam had heard rumors of Addie’s marriage. It was loveless and empty, but he didn’t understand why. He had met Hawley, and he seemed like an amicable gentleman. What made the two of them seek out others?
“I know what you’re thinking. It’s my business, Kincaide, not yours. Just because you are all lovesick, doesn’t mean you get to cast judgement on my marriage.”
“I would never, and who said anything about love?”
She smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling. “As we have already discussed, I can sense these things. You are madly in love with your wife.”
He watched his wife talk with her mother and some other ladies. She was stunning in a green and white gown that emphasized her blonde curls. Yes, he was in love with her even though he had not shared that aloud.
Addy giggled. “Very in love.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “I worry about her. She was meant to live a very different life than being married to a man like me.”
“She is not as fragile as you think. You all underestimate her. Do not treat her with such kid gloves. Be honest with her.”
Sam’s guilt swirled within him at the secrets he was already keeping from his wife.
~
