Page 27 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Nine

Fury rammed through Adam. He hadn’t seen Lena since the night after his father shot himself. The anger that had surfaced when he’d seen her tonight had caught him off guard. He’d been angrier seeing her at the oyster cellars than he had the night she told him his father had lost his fortune in her gambling hall. He needed to get as far away from Lady Lena Fleming as possible. He would never be able to forget her betrayal, but he would be able to busy himself, so he didn’t think of her as often as he did.

Adam stepped from the alley out onto the walkway. He strode to the corner, stepped aside for a man and woman, then hurried across the street. It had been a mistake to take Beatrice to the oyster cellar. He blew out a frustrated breath. She would have gone with or without him. He wouldn’t see her again. Oddly, the thought bothered him. Perhaps—

He cut off the thought. He was a fool. Even a lady’s companion deserved more than he had to give. She would be hurt. He could see that in her eyes—but she would be far more hurt if she learned of his ruse.

He silently cursed. If he married Miss Shaw, Beatrice would learn of his true identity. Adam turned left at the intersection and leapt up on the curb just in time to miss the carriage that turned the corner. One more reason not to marry Miss Shaw.

The tension in his shoulders eased slightly. Other than running into Lena, he had enjoyed himself. Beatrice was a delightful companion. She was more than that, if he was honest. She was a breath of fresh air. The fact she was beautiful didn’t hurt.

Mrs. Latimer’s boarding house came into view up ahead. A man stood in front of the gate. Adam slowed. Was that Nicholas? By thunder it was. There could be only one reason the earl would need to speak with him at this late hour. Adam considered turning and walking back the way he’d come, but Nick waved. Adam sighed and continued forward.

“Adam,” Nick said, when Adam reached him.

“I am in no mood to talk marriage,” Adam said.

“You will be when you hear this. Mr. Shaw’s solicitor has sent the marriage contract.”

Adam shot him a narrow-eyed glance and opened the gate leading to the house. Nick hurried to catch up as Adam strode up the walkway. The front door burst open, and two men hurried out. They brushed past Adam and Nick. Adam reached the door and, of course, Nicholas followed Adam up the stairs to his room.

Once inside, Nick said, “Once the contract is signed—”

“I do not care if the man is offering to buy me a stable full of horses. I have no wish to marry that dour woman.”

Nick frowned. “What the devil are you talking about?” Adam started to reply, but Nick waved him off. “You will receive twenty thousand pounds upon signing the contract.”

Adam blinked “You cannot be serious?”

The earl nodded. “That isn’t all. On your wedding day, you receive another twenty thousand pounds.”

Adam dropped onto the chair beside the table. “My God, that is equivalent to five years income on the property outside of Edinburgh that my father lost.”

“There is more,” Nicholas said. “Upon the birth of your heir, you will receive another twenty thousand pounds, and ten thousand pounds for every other child girl or boy.”

Adam stared. “Bloody hell, the man has more money than most of the peerage. How is that possible?”

Nick laughed. “It is not all that difficult when you consider that he is a very astute businessman, and he doesn’t squander his money like most in the peerage. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he has no wife to spend his money.”

Adam couldn’t believe it. Forty thousand pounds. If he was frugal, he could run the estate for ten years and buy more horses. With every child born, he would receive even more. He’d always wanted children. Lena had said she would consider children, but he always knew that if she became pregnant, there was a good chance he would never know. When his father lost his wealth and killed himself, Adam’s dream for family died with him. Now—

His mind screeched to a halt. He would have to sell his soul to obtain his dream. Was Miss Shaw really that bad? After all, he’d planned to marry Lena, a woman who traded him for his father’s fortune. Miss Shaw certainly couldn’t be any worse. Beatrice and said Miss Shaw was not in favor of the marriage. It seemed she had no more wish to be sold into marriage than did he. Could he spend his life with the woman who didn’t want him? Perhaps he could get more information from Beatrice. Nae, he couldn’t use her that way. It was a damn shamed Beatrice wasn’t Miss Shaw.

“I can see the logic of the situation is finally becoming clear.”

Nick’s voice intruded on his thoughts.

Adam shook his head. “That is an obscene amount of money.”

“You almost sound offended. Oh, I see,” Nick said before Adam could reply. “You’re angry that you are considering the proposition.” His friend pinned Adam with a hard look. “I hate to be blunt, but few women could be worse than Lady Fleming.”

“Perhaps. But there are plenty of women just as bad.”

Nick laughed. “Not Miss Shaw. Come now, Adam, do you believe I would urge you into a union with anyone but a woman of the finest character?”

“I saw her.”

Nick frowned. “What?”

“The day she arrived. I happened to be walking on Lacy Street as she descended her carriage. The frown on her face was clear as day and could have made even the angels run.”

“I didn’t know Miss Shaw was capable of frowning. She is a delightful young woman. A bit of a hoyden, but nothing you cannot handle. She is young, only twenty. But—”

“A hoyden? I believe you have mistaken Miss Shaw for her lady’s companion, Miss Frasier.”

“I grant you, I have only seen Miss Shaw and Miss Frasier once—no, twice—at parties. They look a great deal alike, but—” Nick raised his brows. “How do you know Beatrice?”

Adam snorted. “The little baggage was wearing breeches and riding a fine Friesian mare.”

“Beatrice wearing breeches?” Nicholas shook his head. “She would never do such a thing. Sophie’s father once commented that Beatrice acts more the lady than does his daughter. No, my friend, you have the two confused.”

“Nick, I have spoken with the woman. I promise you, I am not mistaken. I—” Adam broke off and stared at his friend.

“What is it?” Nick demanded.

“Bloody hell,” Adam muttered.

He did have the two women confused. He felt certain, however, Miss Sophie Shaw knew exactly who he was.