Page 37 of A Stranger’s Gamble

A man who got straight to the point. Adam liked that.

“I will admit I did not know you were here, Liam.”

“I understand,” Shaw said. “You thought you might get some information from my sister-in-law.”

“That was the idea.”

Shaw nodded. “One never can be too certain. All the money in the world isn’t worth tying oneself to a shrew.”

Adam angled his head. “Thank you for understanding.”

“I will be direct,” Shaw said. “Sophie is a good girl, but she is a handful.”

Madeline hmphed.

“Have you something to add, Miss Forsyth?” Adam asked.

“Just that when a man is strong and intelligent, he is, well, forceful and someone who knows how to get things done. When a woman is strong and intelligent, she is a ‘handful.’”

Shaw shook his head. “Madeline, you cannot deny that Sophie can be difficult. For God’s sake she— Well, youngsters can be difficult and young girls, in particular, are filled with flights of fancy.”

“I seem to remember you trying to talk my sister into running off with you,” Madeline said in a sweet voice.

He frowned. Adam fought to keep a straight face. When they discovered him at their front door, they had clearly sent Miss Shaw to her room—likely with the threat of death should she try to sneak out again.

“Lord Blair informed me that he told you of my offer,” Liam said.

Adam sipped his brandy. “He did. Very generous.”

Shaw narrowed his eyes. “Do not misunderstand. Sophie is young and impetuous, but she is a fine girl and will make a good wife. I am offering a good contract to ensure she makes a match worthy of her.”

“She will be a marchioness,” Adam said.

“Now, see here—”

Madeline waved a hand. “Oh, please, Liam, you cannot fault the man for seeing the marriage as a business deal when that it how you approached him.”

Shaw’s mouth thinned.

“Marriage involving this much money and a title usually are business,” she said. “I have seen his lordship about town. He has a fine reputation—aside from that dalliance with Lady Fleming.” She laughed. “But no one is perfect. He paid off his father’s debts—which, as you know, Liam, isn’t something the nobility likes to do, even when they’re alive.”

“Lord Blair told me. I agree, that speaks highly of his character,” he said, as if Adam wasn’t present.

Adam leaned back and sipped more of his brandy.

“Your biggest hurdle is convincing Sophie to marry him,” Madeline declared.

“She is against the marriage?” Adam asked.

“She is against marriage, altogether,” Shaw muttered. “Has some ridiculous idea that she can remain free as a bird to do whatever she likes.”

That explained much.

“A woman does have the right to choose her husband,” Adam said.

“The girl doesn’t know what she wants,” Liam replied.

Madeline locked eyes with Adam. “Do you wish to marry her?”