Page 54 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Eighteen

Adam sipped deep of his brandy, then balanced the glass on his abdomen and dropped his head back onto the bed pillow. The liquor reached his belly, and warmth began to spread through him. He was glad he had decided to accept Mrs. Eldridge’s offer of staying at her home for the weekend house party. He was growing tired of the boarding house.

A short rest would refresh his mind, for this evening he faced Sophie Shaw, his future wife. He almost felt sorry for her. Almost. Her ridiculous plotting had gotten her into this mess—and had made him realize she had some grit. She hadn’t tried to play him against Emerson last, but had called Adam rude and Emerson ridiculous, then left them standing on the street. With that swift kick to Adam’s arse, she had gained his respect. Many a marriage had been built on far less.

He finished his brandy, then rose and crossed to the tray where sat the decanter. Adam refilled his glass and by the time he’d returned to his bed, he’d drank half. Miss Shaw also hadn’t allowed him to take too much advantage of her in Lady Seafield's garden. He grimaced. He’d half expected her to cut off his bollocks. Damn, but the kiss had been worth the risk.

Adam finished the remainder of his brandy and considered getting up for another. He glanced at the clock on the mantle. Five forty-five. He didn’t have to be down to dinner for another hour. One more brandy wouldn’t hurt. He closed his eyes and contemplated getting up.

A knock sounded on the door. Adam jarred and realized he’d dozed off. The knock became more insistent.

“Sir,” came the voice of Kirk, the footman who manned the front door.

Something was wrong.

Adam leapt to his feet and called, “Enter.”

The door opened, and Kirk stepped inside. “Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but a Mr. Daily asked to see you. He says it’s important.”

Tate Daily, Balfour’s man of affairs? What was he doing here?

“Where is he?” Adam asked.

“In the front parlor, sir,” Kirk replied. “If you will follow me, I can show you.”

Adam nodded and gabbed his coat from the chair as he followed the lad from the room.

They reached a small drawing room on the second floor and Tate Daily stood from the couch where he sat as Adam entered.

“What is it?” Adam demanded as he stopped in front of the man.

Daily glanced at the footman.

“Kirk, leave us,” Adam ordered.

The young man bowed and hurried away.

When he disappeared from sight, Daily said, “Mr. Balfour sent me to tell you that he has acquired a shipment of gold.”

Adam started. “The shipment has not yet arrived. How is that possible?

“This is not that shipment, sir.”

Adam blinked, uncertain he’d heard correctly. “What the bloody hell does that mean?”

“Mr. Balfour asks that you come immediately,” Daily said.

Adam silently cursed, but nodded agreement and wished mightily that he had a pistol.

***

After a day of shopping with her aunt, Sophie arrived at Mrs. Eldridge’s home with her father, Beatrice, and Aunt Maddie at seven that night. Sophie had no idea what the chances were that Adam would be present, but she prayed he would be there. If he wasn’t, how would she find him? He had given her no direction as to where he lived, and the most she’d learned from her father was that Lord Monthemer had an estate in Inverness. Her father didn’t know where he lived in Edinburgh. If Adam wasn’t present tonight, she would have to contact the attorneys who drafted the marriage contract. Once she found Lord Monthemer, she would find Adam.

Sophie pushed up the strap of her reticule from where it had slid to her wrist as a footman showed them into a large drawing room on the third floor. Sophie’s pulse picked up speed as she scanned the guests in the room. Adam was nowhere in sight, but she did notice a tall handsome man who stood in conversation with another man. Was he Lord Monthemer?

“Elsie.” Sophie’s aunt addressed a short stout woman about her age who hurried toward them.

The two women kissed one another on the cheek, then her aunt said, “This is my sister’s husband Liam Shaw.”