Page 77 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Liam leveled a hard look on the harpy. “As I said, madam, I am otherwise engaged.” He gave a slight bow, then pushed past them.

Adam angled his head at the two women, then started after him. Adam sidestepped two women and caught up to him.

“A hopeful mama?” Liam asked.

“Aye.”

His father-in-law looked at him. “The girl is stunning.”

“And barely out of the schoolroom.”

“No money?” he asked.

“Not as much is you,” Adam replied. “But I do not rob the cradle.”

Liam gave a small nod. “You could have married her and waited.”

He pushed past a group of women who openly watched them. “If you’re asking why I married Sophie, the answer is simple. I like her. The night in the carriage, she left Emerson and me on the street and made off with his carriage.”

“You were there?” Liam asked in surprise.

They halted, and Adam scanned the room before he turned back to Shaw. “Emerson cheated at cards and won the right to escort Sophie home.”

“She was playing cards?”

“That is no concern of yours,” Adam said. “She is my wife.”

“You dealt with the situation by marrying her.”

“Aye. Where the devil is Balfour?” he muttered.

“I still say he is at the card table,” Liam said.

“Probably. The man is a fool. I shall find him on my own. That way, we can be done with his business.”

Liam nodded. “I will find Madeline and keep an eye on her. The women on her side of the family can be troublesome.”

Adam looked at him. “Like Sophie?”

Shaw shrugged. “What is life without a little trouble?”

***

When Sophie’s carriage pulled up in front of Mr. Balfour’s home, music filtered from the large home out onto the drive. Carriages crowded the drive all the way to the road. Her heart thudded. Her father and Adam would be furious with her, but she simply couldn’t let Adam face Mr. Balfour alone. If Adam wanted to appear the heartless criminal he was pretending to be, then Mr. Balfour couldn’t know that Adam was concerned for her safety.

The driver jumped from his seat on the carriage and opened the door. She laid her hand in his as he assisted her to the ground. She paid him and added a generous tip. He dipped his hat in thanks, then leapt back up onto his perch and drove away. Sophie stared at the large home for half a dozen heartbeats, then went to the front door where a footman bowed then opened the door for her. Another footman inside led her up one flight of stairs to a large ballroom overflowing with guests. She winced at the loud music and din of voices. Her vantage point on the top of the balcony gave her a view of the entire room. Sophie didn’t see Adam or her father, but how could she possibly see anyone in this massive crowd?

She caught sight of a woman to her right and recognized her as the woman who had captured Adam’s attention the night he escorted her to the oyster cellars. She was even more beautiful here. Tall, dark, and willowy. Her creamy, flawless skin reminded Sophie of a goddess. The woman caught her staring, and Sophie yanked her gaze away. She glimpsed movement from the corner of her eye and resisted the urge to race down the stairs when the woman approached.

“Lady Monthemer,” the woman said in a throaty voice that made Sophie wonder how many hours she spent practicing just the right tone.

Sophie faced her. “Do we know one another?”

“We have not been properly introduced,” the woman said. “We saw each other at the oyster cellars recently. You were there with Adam, if I recall.”

Sophie arched a brow. “His lordship, you mean? Yes, I do believe we were there together.”

“I am Lady Fleming, my lady.” She dipped into a perfect curtsey, and Sophie was glad, for her mouth dropped open.