Page 74 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Twenty-Four

Adam had adjourned to the study with Liam and gave Sophie an hour’s head start before finally climbing the stairs to their room. The third door on the right where he now stood before the closed door. Adam knocked. No one replied. He eased the door open and stepped inside. A low fired burned in the hearth on the wall directly ahead, illuminating the form buried beneath the covers of a four-poster bed that sat to the right. That must be his bride. He closed the door, then crossed to the fireplace. He removed his coat and waistcoat, then laid them over the bench at the foot of the bed. He sat in the large leather chair in front of the fireplace and removed his boots.

He’d had two large glasses of brandy and should have no trouble sleeping even in a chair. He stretched his legs out in front of him and contemplated the fire. Balfour had stolen gold owned by an Englishman, the Duke of Bransbury. The theft wasn’t massive like the one Balfour intended to steal from the king, but it would add nicely to Balfour’s coffers. What he needed from Adam was a way to cut and sell the diamond necklace that had been in the chest with the gold. The necklace had been a nice addition to the theft, and the diamonds would bring an extra ten thousand pounds.

By now, Adam figured the duke had already taken the case of his being robbed before the king. The loss of gold and the necklace was likely a hard blow. The Crown could now convict Balfour of theft and threatening a nobleman with a gun. The fool had waylaid the coach like a common highwayman. The threat alone was enough to send Balfour to the gallows. But Adam suspected the Crown cared nothing for an English duke’s losses and wanted only the gold that Balfour had filched while in His Majesty’s employ in the navy. Adam hoped to get a clue to the whereabouts of the hidden gold tomorrow night at the party Balfour was hosting.

Sophie would be safely away by then, and he could deal with Balfour as he deserved. Sophie sighed in her sleep, and Adam twisted and looked past the chair at her. He’d wondered if she truly were asleep, but she seemed to be, at least now. What would she do if he climbed into bed with her? His cock began to rise in anticipation. He grimaced and faced the fire. His wife had a long day of travel ahead of her tomorrow.

His wife.

After Lena, he hadn’t anticipated having a wife. His chest tightened. He liked the way the words sounded. Would Sophie be willing to work alongside him while he built a life for them? He chuckled. That question would begin to be answered to tomorrow. Sophie’s father had agreed to allow them the use of his carriage for her trip to Brewhold. Adam didn’t envy her that ride.

Adam recalled that first day when she’d been wearing men’s breeches and had ridden her mare like the wind. He frowned. He would have to have a talk with her about that. There would be no more wearing breeches and riding without an escort. She was sure to balk, but he would make sure someone was always at her disposal to ride with her. He would go himself, sometimes. Perhaps he might be able to talk her into allowing her mare to breed with Merlyn. They would produce magnificent offspring. Just as he and Sophie would produce beautiful children.

He recalled how she had left him and Emerson standing on the road while she made off with Emerson’s carriage. That was when he realized he wanted her to be the mother of his children. Money or no.

***

Sophie awoke the following morning and tentatively scanned the room. She was alone. A sliver of disappointment dampened her spirits. She had half expected Adam to demand his husbandly rights. Maybe all men were like Matthew. They gave doled out passionate kisses to entice a woman, then ignored her once they had her.

She relaxed back against her pillow. Today, she and Beatrice were being sent to Inverness. Maybe that was for the best. She had no idea how long Adam might remain in Edinburgh. Perhaps she would return to Invergarry, instead. She might be happier spending time at home before being forced to take up residence in Inverness.

Sophie rose and had washed her face when Beatrice arrived with coffee and pastries. She wondered if she would see Adam before she left. She and Beatrice spent the morning packing then had an early lunch with her aunt. Maddie informed Sophie that Adam was in the study with her father, but the men likely wouldn’t join them for lunch. Sophie simply couldn’t stand not knowing what they were talking about. She excused herself from the table with the pretext that she wanted to take a last look at the packed trunks but went, instead, to the study. To her relief, the hallway was empty. She pressed her ear to the door and distinguished her father’s voice.

“I don’t like it one bit,” he said. “I suggest you forget the matter.”

“I cannot do that,” Adam replied.

“You do not need the money the king is offering,” her father said. “You have ample funds from Sophie’s dowry. Plenty more will follow when you have children.”

Sophie started. Adam would receive more money when she gave him children? How much more? Her heart twisted. She really was nothing but one big fat chest of money to her new husband.

“If you need more, I can always extend you a loan,” her father said.

A heartbeat of silence passed, and Sophie envisioned Adam calculating how much money he could bilk her father for.

“It may interest you to know, Liam, that I did not marry your daughter for your money,” Adam said.

Sophie’s mind froze. Had she heard correctly?

“That is good to hear,” replied her father. “She is a fine girl and deserves to be valued.”

“You may rest assured she is,” Adam said.

“That being the case, perhaps it really is best you forget Balfour,” her father said. “Let someone else risk their life.”

Risk their life?

“I can handle Balfour,” Adam said, and Sophie recalled that she had called him a coward.

Guilt washed over her. She had tried to egg him into fighting Mr. Balfour.

“I will be there tonight,” her father said. “It is not unusual for me to carry a pistol.”

Adam laughed. “That will not be necessary, Liam. I would prefer to know that everyone is safe. That way, I can deal with Balfour as I need to without worry.”

“I am a navy man myself, you know,” her father said. “I know how to take care of myself.”