“Clara, I know you are annoyed. I have always loved that we could be honest with one another, please don’t change that now.”
She pursed her lips. “You are always so friendly.”
He shrugged one of his large shoulders. “That’s who I am.”
Was she worried about his actions? He was in love with her. Sam was tempted to tell her but held back, still unsure of her feelings.
“I just think now that we are married, it might be more appropriate to not be so friendly.”
Sam could feel a tic in his jaw. He gripped the edge of the table and leaned forward. “Are you questioning my fidelity?”
She frowned at him. “Of course not. I just think for appearance’s sake it would be better if you were not so…you.”
He fell back in his chair shocked and hurt. He pushed the hurt away and stood. Her haughtiness fell away. “Sam, I didn’t mean it like it came out.”
It was too late. He knew exactly what she meant. She rose and moved around the table to him. A heaviness hung in the air that he had never felt with Clara before. He was right. She would eventually regret her choice and it was already starting.
“Sam—”
He held up his hand. “You are right. I will be better Clara.”
He stalked out of the breakfast room and out the front door, slamming it behind him. He didn’t even know where he was going. He was just so damn mad. Maybe not even mad but hurt. He started walking, heading to Jack’s home. Sam needed his family.
It wasn’t a short walk, but he eventually found himself in front of Jack’s townhouse. A carriage with the Duke of Peyton’s seal waited outside. Sam had never been envious of Jack’s title, but right now he felt jealousy pulsating through him, and he hated himself for it. He made his way up the path as his brother and Mercy walked out the front door.
Mercy’s eyes widened at the sight of him. “Sam!”
Jack’s brows furrowed with concern. His brother knew him too well.
Sam turned and smiled at his sister-in-law. “I see I have come at a bad time.”
“We are going to visit my parents. Come with us.”
Sam glanced at his brother who was still frowning at him. He turned back to Mercy and said, “Perhaps I will visit with Sophia and Annie.”
Mercy looked between the two of them. “Perhaps, I will go alone.”
Jack started to shake his head, but she held up her hand. “No arguing.”
She leaned over and squeezed Sam’s hand. “Bring Clara next time.”
Jack watched Mercy leave and Sam smiled. “You worry about her so much.”
He turned back to Sam and grinned. “She is with child. We haven’t told anyone yet. It’s supposed to be a secret for a little while longer.”
Sam smacked him on the back. “Congratulations, brother. That is the best news I have heard in a long time.”
They made their way back into the townhouse. Jack grinned like a lunatic. “Next will be you and Clara.”
Sam grimaced. “Perhaps.”
Jack opened the door to his study and sat in one of the navy wingback chairs surrounding a large mahogany table. Sam dropped into another chair just like it.
“Are you okay?” he asked Sam.
“What if she regrets her choice?”
Jack’s brows shot up in confusion. “Why would you think that? Clara is damn lucky you stepped in. Dolan would have done the same thing to her that he did to that girl you took to Liverpool.”
