Page 28 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Ten

Murky images floated before Sophie. She discerned broad shoulders and became aware of a warm palm sliding upward on her thigh. A familiar scent surrounded her.

Adam.

Desire tightened her belly. His body came down upon her and crushed her into the mattress in the delicious way that only a man’s weight can. She slid her arms about his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. Oh, it had been so long since she’d been close to a man. His warm breath bathed her neck, and she shivered. In the murky darkness of her room—

Were they in her room? Something felt unfamiliar.

He reached between them and slipped into her wet channel. His thumb brushed her sex—

Sophie cried out and snapped her eyes open. Morning sunlight streamed into her bedroom. She jammed her eyes shut against the sudden intrusion. She’d been dreaming of Adam. She hadn’t dreamt of a man since Matthew, and her dreams of Matthew hadn’t been so vivid or…sensual.

She drew in a deep breath, the juncture between her legs throbbed in rhythm with her pounding heart. Adam was to accompany her to the wharf that evening. Her face heated. How would she face him after that dream?

Her heart slowed, and Sophie opened her eyes. She didn’t have to tell Adam she’d dreamt of him. She was a widow. It wasn’t strange for a woman of the world to dream of a man. Was it? But the dream wasn’t really the problem. The problem was, she found him desirable.

Sophie threw back the covers. So, he was desirable. She wasn’t the schoolgirl she’d been when she met Matthew. She could find a man desirable and still keep him at bay. Adam was the perfect escort and she very much wanted to visit the wharf. In particular, she wanted to visit the wharf with him.

She forced her thoughts to what lay ahead for the day and Sophie grimaced. This afternoon, she had to attend a dull party. It would be her first social engagement, but she had no interest in attending parties. She wanted to see Edinburgh—all of Edinburgh.

A soft knock sounded on the door, then Beatrice entered, a tray with hot chocolate and biscuits in hand. “Good morning, miss.” She set the tray on the bed beside Sophie.

Sophie drew in deep of the sweet scent of chocolate and biscuits.

“How are you feeling this morning, miss?” Beatrice asked.

Sophie pushed to a sitting position. “I feel excellent, Bea. I had a wonderful time last night.” She took a small sip of the hot chocolate. “I half expected you to be here to scold me when I returned.”

Beatrice picked up the pillow to Sophie’s left, then gently eased her forward and placed the pillow behind her. “If I had waited in your room, that might have given away your secret.”

“Ah,” Sophie said with a sage nod. She sipped more of her chocolate.

“Your aunt will be out for the day.”

“Out for the day. That means I need not attend the card party.”

Beatrice shook her head. “Your aunt has instructed her driver to take us to the party. She was very specific this morning before she left.”

“Aunt Maddie spoke with you this morning?”

“She did.”

“Her driver, you say?” Sophie asked.

“Miss, I suggest you do not underestimate your aunt. If you try to get out of going to this party, she will discover the truth.”

Sophie took a bite of the biscuit. “You are right, of course. It isn’t worth the risk that she might prevent me from seeing Mr. MacAlister tonight.”

“Tonight?” Beatrice blurted. “Surely, you are not seeing him again?”

Sophie laughed. “Of course I’m seeing him again. I will see him every night, if possible.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened. “You cannot spend so much time alone with a gentleman. They will have…expectations.”

“He may have all the expectations he likes,” Sophie said with an airy wave of her hand. He did have a few, she suspected. “I have no intention of succumbing to passion.” Despite her dreams. “Though a kiss or two would be nice,” she said.

“That is always how it starts,” Beatrice said. “A woman thinks a kiss or two would be nice. The next thing you know, her father is challenging the man to a dawn appointment.”