Clara shook her head, sadly. She wished they would have talked more before he left for Liverpool. Yes, it had been shocking but not for the reasons Sam seemed to think.
“I returned and learned that Dolan’s behavior towards Abigail was pretty consistent with his treatment of all of his mistresses, also that the Claremores played a role in making sure Dolan’s activities were not widely known.”
Sophia gasped and stared at Clara in horror. “Why would they protect him?”
“They are close friends and Dolan also supports them financially,” Clara explained.
“As I realized how dangerous Dolan was, I was worried about all of this, so I purchased the portion of Claremores’ debt not owned by Dolan as leverage.”
“Why are you sharing this with us now?” Annie asked.
“Because Dolan is becoming more dangerous. Abigail has disappeared. This forced us to release damaging information about Dolan to the paper. Our hope is that he won’t harm her, and we can find her.”
“I confronted my parents about their relationship with Dolan.”
Sam looked at her surprised. “When?”
“Today. It didn’t go well. I told them they should return to the country, or you would attempt to collect their debt,” Clara explained. She wanted to hate her parents, but all she felt was sadness.
He nodded and Clara knew he could see her pain. He could always see everything in her.
“So, what happens next?” Mercy asked both Sam and Jack.
Sam looked away from Clara and said, “We need to find Abigail. We have some tips on the men who took her, but we have been unable to find them so far.”
“What happens if you find her?” Clara asked.
Sam and Jack looked at each other, but finally Sam said, “We hopefully get him sent to prison or sent away.”
“A lord? It is nearly impossible without the intervention of the Crown. Abigail will be destroyed by the papers,” Annie said.
“Not if our family stands with her,” Jack said.
“And we will,” Mercy said.
Annie and Sophia looked at their brothers proudly. Sam nodded. “Scandal be damned.”
He looked around at all of them and then at Clara. “Our family has always agreed we only do something if everyone agrees. Clara, are you with us?”
Clara nodded, overwhelmed with emotion by Sam’s devotion to her, his family and to do the right thing. “I’m with you.”
“Jack and I need to head back out, but we want everyone to return to Jack’s home until we get this sorted out.”
Clara shook her head, “I want to stay here with Henry. He is already going through so much change. We have a guard along with Henson and Deliah.”
Sam hesitated but nodded. He looked around the room and said, “If I could have a moment with Clara alone.”
Everyone rose and left heading into the foyer to give Clara and Sam some privacy.
~
Sam looked at his wife, and he was overcome with emotion. He walked to her and held her hands as they stared at one another.
“I know I have done things you didn’t want me to, and you have heard things about me, but I want you to know, none of that is true. From the moment I saw you in that alcove, it was only you.”
Tears ran down Clara’s cheeks.
“I tried to forget you because you deserve the life of a lady. You deserve to be married to some titled gentleman. I am about as common as they come,” Sam said, his voice cracking with emotion.
