Page 26 of A Stranger’s Gamble

For a moment, Adam stared at her, then he arched his brows. “Shall I carry you across?”

Her pulsed leaped. She hadn’t expected that response. Before she could reply, he swept her into his arms. Sophie gasped and threw her arms around his neck. Adam stepped from the sidewalk onto the street, then dodged a passing hackney. Sophie buried her head in his neck when he stumbled and seemed he would fall. The musky scent of masculine soap assailed her, and she had the strange desire to press her lips against the saltiness of his skin. What would he do if she kissed him?

“Fear not, my lady,” he said. “I shall fight the monstrous current and set you safely down on the other side.”

Sophie turned her head slightly with the intention of sneaking a peek at him, but he halted as he reached the far sidewalk and looked down at her. He stared, his features in shadow, and she tensed with anticipation when he lowered his head toward hers, but then he released her legs, and Sophie found herself standing on her own two feet. When Adam stepped away, she could have sworn a chill air whipped past.

“Are you well?” he asked.

She jumped at the sound of his voice. “Yes, very well, thank you.”

Sophie faced home and began walking. Adam fell into step alongside her. The townhouse came into view up ahead, dark and silent. They continued past the front gate, around the street to the alley behind the house. This time, he escorted her through the back garden and all the way to the kitchen door.

Sophie fished the key from her reticule. She unlocked the door, then dropped the key back into her reticule and faced Adam. “Thank you for escorting me.”

To her relief, he smiled. “It was my pleasure.” He executed a small bow that reminded her too much of the gentlemen her father threw into her path. “Good evening, Miss Beatrice Frasier. I shall look forward to our next meeting.” He backed up a step.

“When will that be?”

He halted, and her cheeks warmed. Had she been too forward?

“We shall see, I suppose,” he replied.

“I have always wanted to see the wharfs.”

“Beatrice…” His voice held warning.

“I know. It is not safe for a woman alone. I will be ready at seven tomorrow evening.”

Before he could reply, she slipped inside and closed the door. She waited a long moment, heart pounding in anticipation of his knock on the door, but none came.

Sophie released a slow breath and headed up the servants’ stairs to her room.