Page 75 of A Stranger’s Gamble

“You fought in the Peninsular War, if I recall.”

“That’s right,” he replied, and Sophie detected a note of pride in her father’s voice. “As Sophie will not be there tonight, Balfour will expect her aunt and me.”

“Madeline?” Adam said.

“You needn’t worry about her. I will watch after her. We will make an appearance, then I will take Madeline home.”

“Just an appearance?” Adam said.

“It would be too suspicious if we didn’t come at all,” her father replied.

Seconds of silence passed, then Adam said, “Agreed. I had better see Sophie off.”

Sophie jerked away from the door, then spun and raced down the hallway. She hurried up the stairs and reached her room to find Beatrice directing two footmen to carry out the last of their trunks. Beatrice frowned in question as Sophie hurried across the room and flopped down on the chair in front of the window. Sophie shook her head in warning, and Beatrice remained silent.

Two minutes later, bootfalls approached. Beatrice swung her gaze to Sophie. Sophie gave a slight nod, jumped to her feet, then hurried to the table where a teapot and cups sat on a tray. She poured tea into two cups and looked up when Adam and her father entered the room.

“Are you ready?” her father asked.

“The footmen have taken down the last of the trunks,” Sophie said. “We were just having a final cup of tea.”

Her father crossed to her. She set down the teapot and turned.

He grasped her shoulders. “This is best, lass.”

She nodded, and he surprised her by pulling her into a hug. She leaned into the embrace and hugged him back.

He drew back and looked down at her. “Be good.”

Sophie sighed. “Of course.”

He faced Beatrice. “You stay safe, Beatrice.”

She angled her head. “Thank you, sir.”

“Why don’t you come with me to the kitchen?” he said to her. “I will have Cook make you something to take with you and Sophie. That will give Sophie and her husband a moment to talk.”

Beatrice looked at Sophie. Sophie gave a tiny shake of her head that Beatrice should stay, but Beatrice said, “Of course, sir.”

They left, and Sophie’s father pulled the door closed behind them. Adam locked his gaze onto her, and her stomach did a somersault. Was that gentleness she read in his eyes?

“I intended to ask you to marry me in a more gentlemanly manner than what happened at Balfour’s home,” he said.

She arched a brow. “You did not intend to ask me at all. You signed the marriage contract in the wee hours of the morning.”

His mouth twitched in amusement. “You are right, of course. But be honest, Sophie. You deserved the lesson.”

She stiffened. “I deserved to be sold like a prized horse?”

His expression sobered. “Nae. You do not.” Adam crossed the room, and she stood frozen when he halted in front of her. “I believe you will like Brewhold,” he said. “The land has been in my family for nine generations. You asked if my home was an estate. Will a castle do?”

“A castle? I can make do with a castle.”

He laughed. “Good. I will do my best not to dally here in Edinburgh.”

He stared down at her, and she was piqued when her knees weakened.

“I will ask you to behave yourself.” He winked. “At least until I arrive at Brewhold.”

Sophie turned away, for his stare discomfiture her too much. Far too much. The man truly was a rogue.

“I suppose I have gotten into all the trouble I can possibly get into for now,” she said.

“Somehow, I doubt that.”

She easily detected the amusement in his voice and was glad he couldn’t see the smile that touched her mouth.

Sophie,” he said in a serious voice.

She faced him.

“Guards will meet you two hours outside of Edinburgh,” he said. “They will ensure that you reach home safely. Someone will return with word that you’ve arrived, but I will likely already be on my way by then.”

But she wouldn’t be there.