Devons smiled. “What? You, maybe even more than anyone else I know, couldn’t care less about this world. Does she really think that?”
Did she? “I don’t know. I would never wed any lady in order to be considered respectable. I don’t even consider half the lords and the ladies of thetonrespectable. She found out that I own some of her parents’ debt.”
Devons lifted a black brow. “You didn’t tell her?”
Sam flushed. “I wanted her to feel welcomed back by them.”
Devons grew serious. “I would tell her everything. The Claremores are known for creating rumors. It is as if they almost thrive on it.”
Was that why things were off between him and Clara? Was her family telling her things? His thoughts were distracted by Dolan sauntering up to the table. He smirked at him and Devons. Sam wanted to hit him, and he hadn’t even said anything yet.
“Kincaide, growing tired of your wife?”
“Dolan, I suggest you watch what you say, or you will no longer be welcome in my establishment,” Devons stated.
Dolan’s face turned red with fury. “I don’t answer to you, Devons.”
Devons glowered at him. “This is my club. Here you do.”
“How is my friend Abigail?” Dolan asked Sam, ignoring Devons’ statement.
Sam froze and stared at him. He smirked back at him. “Perhaps, I can take her off your hands now since you are wed. She was one of my favorites before you stole her away. Where are you keeping her?”
Sam clutched his glass and bit out, “You will stay away from her.”
“Aww…so you are still sweet on her. I don’t blame you. Similar look as your wife but much more accommodating.”
Sam stood, pushing his chair back. “You will not speak of either of them,” he whispered.
The room grew quiet around them. “How fair is it to keep both of them?”
Sam grabbed Dolan by his cravat and hissed, “I will destroy you.”
Devons rose motioning to some of his guards and footmen. Dolan yanked himself away from Sam, glowering at him. “You dare to touch a lord. You would be best to remember your place, Kincaide.”
Sam took a deep breath, knowing that Dolan was trying to instigate a fight. Devons stepped between them and said to Dolan, “My lord, I suggest you see your way out or my men will do it for you.”
Dolan glanced around the room with contempt. “I am over your establishment.”
He strode from the room. Sam watched him until he could no longer see him.
He turned to Devons. “I need to get word to Mr. Tomlin and Milly Harrison in Liverpool that they need to keep an eye on Abigail.”
Devons nodded. “I agree. I don’t think Dolan has stopped looking for her. And your wife?”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. He couldn’t take any chances with her safety. “I will make sure she is fine.”
“Does she know about Abigail?”
Sam shook his head. Devons frowned at him. “Now would be a good time to tell her.”
Devons was right. He needed to lay it all out for her. Everything he had kept from her. He nodded. Guilt shot through him. He didn’t have any idea where his wife was. He imagined at home but after their fight, he had pretty much fled and had no reason to believe she hadn't done likewise.
“I need to go home.”
~
Clara smiled at her sister. She beamed back at her as Hensley sat to the side of her bed, holding their son.
