She shook her head vigorously. “You are so wrong, Sam Kincaide. You are the most decent man I know. You think I chose you because I was forced to, but it has always been you from the moment we became mates at Adderly’s house party.”
Sam's eyes widened in shock. She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. “We have made such a mess of this. So many secrets between us and unspoken truths. I want that to stop now.”
He placed his hand on hers and said, “I want that as well.”
He stepped back and ran his hands through his hair. “There are no mistresses, and Addie and I are not at all involved.”
Clara nodded. “I know. I let my mother get to me, let her make me doubt you. I am so ashamed I let that happen.”
“My reputation, the way I interact—”
She shook her head and interrupted him. “No. You are you. You have done nothing wrong.”
“Buying your parents’ debt.”
She winced at that. “I just wished you had told me, shared with me that you did it.”
He nodded, knowing he should have trusted that they could have talked through it. “It will never happen again.”
She wiped the tears from her eyes and raised her chin. “I need you to understand something, Sam. I choose you. I don’t care that you don’t have a title. I would always choose you even if I had my pick of all the lords in London because I love you. Do you hear me? I love you and I don’t want anything ever to come between us again.”
Sam closed his eyes and wiped away his own tears trailing down his cheeks. He pulled her to him. “I love you, Clara Kincaide. You are stuck with me and all my scoundrel ways.”
He brushed his lips over hers gently at first but then deepened the kiss, needing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They devoured each other as if it had been a lifetime of not touching each other. Truth be told it felt that way, Sam thought.
A knock on the door startled them, and they sprang apart. Sam scowled in frustration and Clara smiled softly bemused at his annoyance. They had a lifetime to touch each other but Sam Kincaide had told her he loved her. That was more than enough. “Come in,” Sam snapped.
Jack peeked in the door and looked between the two of them. “Am I interrupting?” he asked, amused.
Clara shook her head at the same time Sam said, “Yes.”
Jack chuckled. “I am sorry to interrupt but one of the men we were looking for has been picked up. He is being held at the Den. We need to make our way over there.”
Sam looked at Clara and for a minute he was tempted to stay. She shook her head and said, “Go. We have a lifetime to talk.”
Sam nodded, knowing she was right. He made his way to the door and shut it behind him. He and Jack strode down the foyer, and he stopped. Jack looked at him questioningly and he turned and made his way back to the drawing room, throwing open the door. She stood in the same place, startled. He pulled her to him in a kiss filled with passion and longing. When he pulled away, he said, “I love you. I wanted you to know that.”
She smiled at him and said, “I love you, Sam.”
He brushed his lips over her mouth again and turned to look back at her one more time, flashing her one of his most charming smiles. Sam made it back out to where his brother was. He stood waiting on him with an amused expression. Sam scowled. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, just amused to see you in love with your wife.”
Sam said nothing, yanking the door open. They mounted their horses. “Nothing to say?” Jack said, goading him.
“Not one thing because you are right. I will tell her every day of our lives.”
Jack chuckled and said, “Welcome to the club, brother.”
Chapter 31
Clara sat in the library reading after checking on Henry. He was settled in one of the guest rooms, sleeping. It had been a big day for him, and Clara wasn’t even sure he realized what was going on, that his parents willingly let him go in order to save themselves. It both infuriated her and shocked her that they didn’t even bother to say goodbye. She hoped it would be many years before Henry understood how uncaring they were.
The fire crackled causing her to jump and drop her book on the ground. She sighed. What was wrong with her? Ever since Sam had mentioned that Dolan likely took Abigail, she had been nervous. She couldn’t explain why. She kept thinking about her encounters with Dolan and the way he looked at her. Shivers ran through her body, and she shook her head, telling herself to stop. She was being ridiculous. Perhaps a different book would help? She leaned down and grabbed her book from the floor, before making her way over to one of the bookshelves. She placed it back on the shelf and looked over the other books.
As she reached for another one, she paused. She sensed she wasn't alone. Clara turned and a large, disheveled man stood by the library door. She hadn’t heard the door open. He stood there, smirking at her. Her eyes darted around the room, and she opened her mouth to scream.
He waved a finger at her. “I wouldn’t do that. Your guard has been disabled. You wouldn’t want to see anyone else hurt.”
