A Stranger's Gamble (Lords of Chance Book 3)

by Tarah Scott

  Her father crossed to her. She set down the teapot and turned.

  He grasped her shoulders. “This is best, lass.”

  She nodded, and he surprised her by pulling her into a hug. She leaned into the embrace and hugged him back.

  He drew back and looked down at her. “Be good.”

  Sophie sighed. “Of course.”

  He faced Beatrice. “You stay safe, Beatrice.”

  She angled her head. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Why don’t you come with me to the kitchen?” he said to her. “I will have Cook make you something to take with you and Sophie. That will give Sophie and her husband a moment to talk.”

  Beatrice looked at Sophie. Sophie gave a tiny shake of her head that Beatrice should stay, but Beatrice said, “Of course, sir.”

  They left, and Sophie’s father pulled the door closed behind them. Adam locked his gaze onto her, and her stomach did a somersault. Was that gentleness she read in his eyes?

  “I intended to ask you to marry me in a more gentlemanly manner than what happened at Balfour’s home,” he said.

  She arched a brow. “You did not intend to ask me at all. You signed the marriage contract in the wee hours of the morning.”

  His mouth twitched in amusement. “You are right, of course. But be honest, Sophie. You deserved the lesson.”

  She stiffened. “I deserved to be sold like a prized horse?”

  His expression sobered. “Nae. You do not.” Adam crossed the room, and she stood frozen when he halted in front of her. “I believe you will like Brewhold,” he said. “The land has been in my family for nine generations. You asked if my home was an estate. Will a castle do?”

  “A castle? I can make do with a castle.”

  He laughed. “Good. I will do my best not to dally here in Edinburgh.”

  He stared down at her, and she was piqued when her knees weakened.

  “I will ask you to behave yourself.” He winked. “At least until I arrive at Brewhold.”

  Sophie turned away, for his stare discomfiture her too much. Far too much. The man truly was a rogue.

  “I suppose I have gotten into all the trouble I can possibly get into for now,” she said.

  “Somehow, I doubt that.”

  She easily detected the amusement in his voice and was glad he couldn’t see the smile that touched her mouth.

  Sophie,” he said in a serious voice.

  She faced him.

  “Guards will meet you two hours outside of Edinburgh,” he said. “They will ensure that you reach home safely. Someone will return with word that you’ve arrived, but I will likely already be on my way by then.”

  But she wouldn’t be there.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Adam arrived with Shaw and Madeline fashionably late to find Balfour’s party in full swing. A large orchestra had set up near the right wall, and the dancefloor overflowed. Guests even milled about the balcony that ran the length of the room and overlooked the ballroom. Rumors circulated that Balfour operated outside the law, yet everyone wanted to be at this party. Society loved drama.

  “Monthemer.”

  Adam turned to face Mr. Hancock as he entered the ballroom behind them. The man extended a hand, which Adam accepted.

  “Congratulations.” Hancock pumped Adam’s hand. “Where’s the lucky lady,” he spoke loudly to be heard over the din.

  “Henry,” Madeline said. “I haven’t seen you in an age.”

  “Maddie.” Hancock beamed, and Adam had the distinct impression they had a romantic history.

  “I hope you will save me a dance,” Hancock said to her.

  “Of course. First, shall we have some champagne?”

  He grinned and leaned close. “If I recall, you like champagne very much.”

  Madeline gave a throaty laugh. “You remember correctly.” She slipped a hand into the crook of his arm, then winked at Adam as they descended the stairs.

  “The woman always did enjoy male company,” Liam said.

  “Why not? She’s a beautiful woman,” Adam replied. Liam lifted his brows, and Adam grinned. “Simply an observation.” He began to scan the room. “I wonder where Balfour is.”

  “Probably playing cards,” his father-in-law said. “The man cannot seem to resist a game.”

  Adam looked at Liam. “Speaking of cards, where did Sophie learn to play?”

  “From her cousins. They taught her to play from a young age. She is a tolerable player, though I forbade her from playing with anyone save family.” He narrowed his eyes. “Did she play with you?”

  Adam laughed. “Nae.”

  Liam regarded him but didn’t pursue the subject. They descended the stairs, then meandered through the crowd and were stopped every few minutes by well-wishers.

  “Lord Monthemer,” a woman called.

  Adam recognized that voice and grimaced. Mrs. Walker. She stepped in front of him, her young daughter at her side.

  “Congratulations on your marriage,” Mrs. Walker said.

  Adam bowed. “Thank you.”

  “I do hope you will be as happy with the widow as you would have been with our innocent Lucy,” she said in a loud voice.

  “Mrs. Walker, may I introduce my father-in-law, Liam Shaw,” Adam said.

  The woman paled. “Um, so nice to meet you, sir. This is my daughter Lucy.”

  Lucy smiled shyly. “Very nice to meet you, sir.”

  A gleam appeared in Mrs. Walker’s eyes, and she pinned Liam with a stare. “Lucy’s dance card has room for one more gentleman, sir. She is a superb dancer.”

  “Very kind of you, ma’am,” he replied. “But I am otherwise engaged.” Lia looked at the girl. “I’m sure Miss Walker will enjoy herself by dancing with the young men who are sure to fight for the honor of a dance with her.”

  Lucy dropped her gaze to the floor.

  “Nonsense,” Mrs. Walker said. “Older gentlemen are far more skilled and know how to treat a lady. She would be honored to dance with you.”

  Liam leveled a hard look on the harpy. “As I said, madam, I am otherwise engaged.” He gave a slight bow, then pushed past them.

  Adam angled his head at the two women, then started after him. Adam sidestepped two women and caught up to him.

  “A hopeful mama?” Liam asked.

  “Aye.”

  His father-in-law looked at him. “The girl is stunning.”

  “And barely out of the schoolroom.”

  “No money?” he asked.

  “Not as much is you,” Adam replied. “But I do not rob the cradle.”

  Liam gave a small nod. “You could have married her and waited.”

  He pushed past a group of women who openly watched them. “If you’re asking why I married Sophie, the answer is simple. I like her. The night in the carriage, she left Emerson and me on the street and made off with his carriage.”

  “You were there?” Liam asked in surprise.

  They halted, and Adam scanned the room before he turned back to Shaw. “Emerson cheated at cards and won the right to escort Sophie home.”

  “She was playing cards?”

  “That is no concern of yours,” Adam said. “She is my wife.”

  “You dealt with the situation by marrying her.”

  “Aye. Where the devil is Balfour?” he muttered.

  “I still say he is at the card table,” Liam said.

  “Probably. The man is a fool. I shall find him on my own. That way, we can be done with his business.”

  Liam nodded. “I will find Madeline and keep an eye on her. The women on her side of the family can be troublesome.”

  Adam looked at him. “Like Sophie?”

  Shaw shrugged. “What is life without a little trouble?”

  ***

  When Sophie’s carriage pulled up in front of Mr. Balfour’s home, music filtered from the large home out onto the drive. Carriages crowded the drive all the way to the road. Her heart thudded. Her father and Adam would be fu
rious with her, but she simply couldn’t let Adam face Mr. Balfour alone. If Adam wanted to appear the heartless criminal he was pretending to be, then Mr. Balfour couldn’t know that Adam was concerned for her safety.

  The driver jumped from his seat on the carriage and opened the door. She laid her hand in his as he assisted her to the ground. She paid him and added a generous tip. He dipped his hat in thanks, then leapt back up onto his perch and drove away. Sophie stared at the large home for half a dozen heartbeats, then went to the front door where a footman bowed then opened the door for her. Another footman inside led her up one flight of stairs to a large ballroom overflowing with guests. She winced at the loud music and din of voices. Her vantage point on the top of the balcony gave her a view of the entire room. Sophie didn’t see Adam or her father, but how could she possibly see anyone in this massive crowd?

  She caught sight of a woman to her right and recognized her as the woman who had captured Adam’s attention the night he escorted her to the oyster cellars. She was even more beautiful here. Tall, dark, and willowy. Her creamy, flawless skin reminded Sophie of a goddess. The woman caught her staring, and Sophie yanked her gaze away. She glimpsed movement from the corner of her eye and resisted the urge to race down the stairs when the woman approached.

  “Lady Monthemer,” the woman said in a throaty voice that made Sophie wonder how many hours she spent practicing just the right tone.

  Sophie faced her. “Do we know one another?”

  “We have not been properly introduced,” the woman said. “We saw each other at the oyster cellars recently. You were there with Adam, if I recall.”

  Sophie arched a brow. “His lordship, you mean? Yes, I do believe we were there together.”

  “I am Lady Fleming, my lady.” She dipped into a perfect curtsey, and Sophie was glad, for her mouth dropped open.

  Lady Fleming? The woman who had stolen Adam’s fortune and contributed to his father’s suicide? The woman Adam had intended to marry? The woman he had loved? No wonder Adam had been so discomfited after seeing her that night.

  Lady Fleming straightened and frowned. “Is something wrong, my lady?”

  Sophie lifted her chin. “Nothing that cannot be remedied by you leaving.”

  She blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

  “This party is a wedding celebration for Lord Monthemer and me. The woman who betrayed him by stealing his father’s fortune is not welcome.”

  Surprise flickered across her face, then she narrowed her eyes. “I was invited by Mr. Balfour.”

  Sophie motioned to the footman standing near the doorway. He hurried over.

  “Please escort this woman from the party,” Sophie ordered.

  The footman’s eyes widened, and he glanced from Lady Fleming back to her. “I beg your pardon, my lady?”

  “You heard me,” Sophie said. “See her out.” She shifted her gaze onto Lady Fleming. “And feel free to use any means necessary to ensure she leaves.”

  Lady Fleming’s eyes flashed.

  The footman stepped up to her and said, “If you will, my lady.”

  She didn’t move, and he grasped her arm. She yanked free.

  “I would advise against making a scene,” Sophie said. “I will not be the one everyone is talking about tomorrow, if you do.”

  Lady Fleming shot her a dagger-filled look, then spun and walked at a leisurely pace from the room.

  Three women suddenly surrounded Sophie.

  “Well done, Sophie,” cried Lady Ella.

  Sophie jerked her gaze to the right as Lady Ella clutched her arm.

  “I wanted forever to tell that woman off,” Ella said with a laugh.

  Sophie realized her heart pounded, and she suddenly wished she could sit down.

  Ella grasped Sophie’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Why didn’t you tell us you were to marry Adam?” she demanded.

  “What?” Sophie’s mind still spun, then she recognized Ella’s question. “Oh, it was all rather sudden.”

  Lady Ella’s eyes sparkled. “So we heard.”

  “Have you seen Adam?” Sophie asked. At Ella’s sharpened gaze, Sophie waved her hand. “We lost one another in the crush. I came up here for a better view of the ballroom.”

  Ella nodded. “I haven’t seen him. But I’m sure we can find him. Oh, where are my manners? Sophie—Lady Monthemer—may I introduce Lady Ann and Mrs. Perkins?” Ella indicated the two women with her.

  The women curtsied.

  Sophie grimaced. “That is not necessary.”

  “But it is necessary,” Lady Ella said. “Remember, Lady Monthemer, this is not a private house party.” She lifted her brows.

  Sophie nodded, then shifted her gaze to the two women. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

  They beamed.

  Sophie returned her attention to Lady Ella. “It is wonderful to see you again, Lady Ella, but you must excuse me. I would like to find Adam.”

  “I’m sure we can help,” she said.

  Sophie shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I am sure I shall find him.”

  She feared he was off in some room alone with Mr. Balfour and had already told Mr. Balfour that she hadn’t accompanied Adam to the party. On the far side of the room, French doors stood open to a balcony. Sophie glimpsed a man slightly taller than those around him as he went out the door.

  Adam. She was sure of it.

  She looked at Lady Ella and the ladies. “Please excuse me. I believe I just saw Adam.” She smiled, then hurried away before they could reply.

  She feared she would be stopped by well-wishers, but she reached the balcony doors without anyone speaking to her. Of course not. No one really knew her. She hurried outside onto the balcony where at least two dozen people milled about. She scanned the balcony but found no sign of Adam. Had he gone onto the lawn? She brushed past a small group and reached the stairs, where she scanned the lawn. Small lamps had been placed on benches and around a large fountain. Sophie glimpsed a tall figure walking near the fountain and hurried after him. He headed toward a small grove of trees to the left. Sophie yanked up her skirts and hurried as fast as she dared in the scant light.

  “Adam,” she called.

  He kept going.

  Was he not Adam?

  “Adam,” she called more loudly.

  He halted and turned, then started toward her. In half a dozen paces, he met her and gripped her arm. “Sophie, what the bloody hell are you doing here? You should be forty miles away from Edinburgh by now.”

  “I am sorry, Adam, but I simply couldn’t allow you to face Mr. Balfour alone. He believes you to be a mercenary fortune hunter, does he not?”

  “What the devil are you talking about?” he demanded.

  “Mr. Balfour believes you to be a mercenary fortune hunter who married me for my money.”

  “How would you know what Balfour thinks?” Adam demanded.

  “A simple deduction. A man who marries a woman only for her money would not protect her from a man like Mr. Balfour. He would bring his wife to prove he was the heartless criminal he appeared to be. You have not already told Mr. Balfour that I was on my way to Inverness, have you?”

  “By all that is holy, Sophie, I swear, I shall take you over my knee the moment we return home tonight. You are to return to your aunt’s house—immediately.”

  She shook her head. “Nae. I will stay, but I will return to the party. Tell Mr. Balfour that I am here.” She tried to pull free of his arm, but he held tight.

  “I am taking you home, and this time, I shall tie you to the bed.” He pulled her alongside him for took two steps, then the murmur of men’s voices reached them. He halted. “Bloody hell.” He backed her against the nearest tree and pressed his body against hers. He mussed her hair.

  “Adam? What are you doing?”

  “Hush,” he ordered.

  He pulled one sleeve of her dress down her shoulder. The voices drew closer.

  “Remember, you followed me—
yet again,” he whispered before he plundered her mouth with his.

  Sophie threw her arms around him and pressed closer. He groaned and thrust his tongue inside her mouth as he rotated his hips against her abdomen. His hard length dug into her belly, and she suddenly wanted his skin against hers. She lifted one leg over his hip, and he thrust again. This time his cock slid along her mons.

  Sophie broke the kiss and dropped her head onto his shoulder. He dragged a wet kiss down her neck to the front of her dress and to her nipple, then closed his warm mouth over her stiff bud through the material of her dress and sucked. Desire surged through her. In just moments, he had made her want him more than she ever wanted any other man. Sophie thrust her hips against him. Adam abruptly drew back. She grabbed his shoulders and tried to pull him to her again, but he swung around, so his back faced her.

  “Forgive the intrusion.”

  Sophie recognized Mr. Balfour’s voice and remained hidden behind Adam. Someone laughed. Another man, she realized.

  “It seems my wife and I should have stayed home tonight,” Adam said.

  Mr. Balfour laughed. “It is hard to resist a beautiful woman. We will leave you to your privacy. When you are finished, perhaps we can talk?”

  Adam shifted in the darkness. “My wife and I will have plenty of time to conduct our…business. I came here to finish my business with you, Balfour. Perhaps we should get to it.”

  “As you wish,” Mr. Balfour said. “Charles and I were on the way to the groundskeeper’s cottage. It’s just a little farther down this path. Why don’t you join us once you escort your wife back to the party?”

  “I will only be a few moments,” Adam said.

  The two men continued walking down the path. Adam faced Sophie, grasped her arm, and began walking back toward the house.

  “That certainly made an impression,” Sophie said. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Can I trust you to do a single thing I ask?” he demanded.

  Sophie yanked free of his grasp and halted. “Not when I know your life is at risk.” She didn’t wait for an answer but continued toward the mansion.

  When they entered the crowded ballroom, Sophie faced Adam. “Be gone with you, sir. I can find my father and aunt.”