Deep in her heart, Clara knew she wouldn’t, but she didn’t say that. Instead, she said, “You have no idea what I would be willing to do.”
She stared them down, unflinchingly. They stared at her quietly before her father said, “And what is it you want?”
Her mother opened her mouth to protest, but her father silenced her with a glare. Clara said, “I want Henry to stay with me and Sam. You will both retire to the country and my husband will provide you with a stipend. If you don’t agree, I will ask Sam to collect the debt owed to him.”
Her mother glared at her. Her blue eyes that Clara’s were so much like, sparked with fury. “You are not fit to care for Henry.”
“Why?” Clara demanded.
Her father smoothed his trousers and said, “Your husband doesn’t have the right lineage.”
Clara leaned forward, her own eyes sparking with fury. “You would dare judge my husband by his bloodlines when you have used your own daughters as nothing more than a way to profit and keep your life secure. A father who turned a blind eye as our mother beat us into submission. He is a better man than you will ever be.”
“You wouldn’t dare do this to us. Think of the papers,” her mother pleaded.
“I would. I am taking Henry with me, and you will leave at the end of the season and never return. Say whatever you like. I don’t care. Perhaps as you got older you grew tired of the London air.”
Her mother looked like she wanted to fight with her, but her father nodded and said, “You will make sure that we are taken care of financially.”
It broke Clara’s heart that, even though Henry was his namesake, her father’s concern was not about him but making sure that he and her mother would be taken care of. How did two such selfish people find each other?
“You have my word,” Clara said, done with the conversation.
She rose, not bothering to say goodbye, knowing it would be the last time she spoke with them. Clara knew she should feel devastated, but she didn’t. She made her way to the library where she suspected Henry was hiding out. She peaked in and saw him resting on the sofa, reading. He looked up and hopped off the sofa full of energy.
“Mother and Father let you visit me before you left.”
Clara smiled as she fought back the tears that were threatening to release. She leaned forward and whispered, “Even better. They said you can come and stay with me and Sam.”
His eyes went wide. “Really? Mother said she didn’t want me around him.”
Clara would not speak ill of them to Henry. She bit back the remark she wanted to make and said, “Well they have changed their mind. Actually, they said perhaps you would like to spend time with us after the season as well.”
He looked surprised and then his face fell. “Why don’t they love us?”
Her heart constricted. She wrapped him in her arms. She wouldn’t lie to him so instead she said, “You are loved Henry. You always will be. Diana and I love you very much.”
He burrowed deeper into her. She kissed the top of his head and said, “Now come. We’d better get going. Sam doesn’t even know yet that you are coming to stay. He will be delighted.”
Henry pulled away and his brows wrinkled in worry. “What if he doesn’t want me to?”
“I can’t think of any reason why he wouldn’t. I promise you will be fast friends.”
Reassured, he nodded and took her hand. They walked to the drawing room so Henry could say goodbye, but the butler stopped them. “Your parents have retired and asked not to be disturbed.”
She closed her eyes to compose herself and looked at Henry who seemed unfazed. Perhaps it was because he didn’t know it was forever or even sadder, he was so used to how their parents were.
She smiled and said, “Then let’s go prepare your things.”
~
Jack and Sam sat at another one of Devons’ establishments, a tavern that was exceedingly popular with young lords They were all exhausted; they had spent the day chasing down leads on Abigail. They hadn’t found much. There were rumors that Dolan had hired some brothers to retrieve a friend in Liverpool, but so far, they hadn’t found them. Still, they assumed the friend was Abigail. They were waiting to see if they popped up tonight after getting their money from Dolan.
A commotion by the front door took Sam away from his thoughts. Dolan stood there and one of Devons’ men was blocking his entrance. Dolan looked into the cavernous room and his eyes connected with Sam’s. He pushed the man away and strode towards where Sam sat. Sam pushed back his chair and stood. He was ready for a fight. Jack placed his hand on his arm. “Remain calm.”
Sam took a deep breath and nodded. Fury was etched in Dolan’s face. He slammed the scandal sheet down on the table. “How dare you coerce the paper into writing these things about me.”
Sam said nothing and Dolan bellowed so everyone would hear him. “All falsehoods!”
