Sam sat, fear gripping him. “Where is Clara?” Jack asked.
“She is visiting her sister and wishes to remain there.”
Jack, Devons, and Miller looked at each other surprised. “Did you tell her what is going on?” Miller asked.
“I didn’t. It wasn’t the right time. We were dealing with…other issues.”
Devons nodded. “I saw the scandal sheets. Did you not think to tell her about Abigail?”
He should have but he didn’t. He had been too upset at her distrust of his character. He wouldn’t say it aloud, but it was pride that had stopped him. He ignored Devons’ question and said, “I have spoken with Hensley and a guard will stay with her. She knows Dolan may be a danger. I think we need to do something more radical.”
“What are you suggesting?” Miller asked.
He looked at both Devons and Miller. “You have contacts with the scandal sheets. I need you to release the information about Dolan as well as how the Claremores have enabled him. If he has her, it may force him to let her go or at least force him to not harm her.”
Devons’ eyes narrowed. “That will bring Dolan and the Claremores’ fury down on our heads. Are we prepared for that?”
“He has to be stopped,” Sam said.
Jack and Miller nodded. Lila looked concerned. “What about Abigail?”
“We will find her,” he said with steely determination.
“I can offer my assistance as well,” Milly said.
Sam nodded, grateful. “Could you return to Liverpool and make sure Mr. Tomlin is okay?”
Milly looked as if she wanted to argue. He pleaded, “I need someone to be my eyes and ears there even if we suspect Abigail is in London.”
She nodded. Devons turned to Lila. “We need you to ask around to your other friends and see if they have heard about Dolan taking on a new mistress or anything like that.”
“Of course,” she said.
“I will deliver the information to the paper,” Miller said.
“If they refuse, send me word,” Jack said.
Sam looked at his brother with concern. “You can’t involve yourself. You will be even more embroiled in this scandal.”
Jack squeezed his shoulder. “Scandal be damned. We need to do the right thing.”
They all nodded in agreement then rose and left, leaving Sam with Jack.
Sam shook his head, wanting to be alone. “You don’t have to stay with me.”
Jack looked at him determinedly and said, “I am staying.”
Sam rolled his eyes at his brother’s insistence. Jack poured them a brandy, and they sat in the wingback chairs.
“What are you doing?” Jack asked.
Sam looked at him confused. “What do you mean?”
“You are distancing yourself from your wife when it is clear you are madly in love with her.”
He stayed silent, knowing he couldn’t lie to his brother. He was right. Sam loved her in a way that almost brought him to his knees.
“She is a lady. She should be married to a lord. Eventually she will resent our marriage. She will realize the mistake she made by agreeing to marry outside of her station.”
