Page 11 of A Stranger’s Gamble

“Indeed? I suppose I should say congratulations. Few men would be so honorable. You do still need money to run your estate. I am willing to double my price.”

Adam looked up in surprise. “Five thousand pounds?”

Balfour smiled in obvious satisfaction. “Five thousand pounds. I can have the money in your account today.”

Adam gave a low laugh. “You must feel confident he will produce a winner.”

“Just as you do.”

Adam ran his hand along the horse’s back. “I told you, he’s not for sale.”

“You cannot make a single shilling on him for two more years,” Balfour said. “Even then, studding him out will not make you enough money to run your estate. You will not survive long enough to race him—or any of his progeny.”

“How long I survive is none of your concern,” Adam replied with more calm than he felt. People like Kenrich Balfour were predators who attacked with a ruthless accuracy that usually brought down their prey—which made Adam want to drive his fist into the man’s nose. Merlyn tossed his head, as if in agreement.

If not for the bargain he’d made with Lord Wilmingly, Adam very well might plant a facer on Balfour’s jaw. But the five thousand pounds he would receive upon learning where Balfour had hidden the gold he’d stolen from the Crown while in the navy, would sustain Adam’s estate for two years, though he wouldn’t be able to purchase anymore horses. Should the gold turn out to be worth more than a fifty thousand pounds—and Adam knew that was likely the case—he would receive ten percent of the find.

“I suggest you go home, Balfour,” he said. “I tire of your company.”

As expected, the man’s expression tensed, then he relaxed. “I would not wait too long.”

Adam understood a threat when he heard one. Balfour wanted Merlyn. He wasn’t the first man to become obsessed with a fine piece of horseflesh, and Merlyn was one of the finest. But a man’s desire to own a horse wasn’t enough of a reason to account for the fury Adam felt certain lurked beneath Kenrich Balfour’s relaxed façade. What Adam believed accounted for Balfour’s attitude were the rumors that Balfour was connected to a smuggling operation owned and run by his uncle. A fine extension to his piracy. Adam wasn’t one to engage in gossip, but this was one bit of on dit he counted on having more truth than lies.

“I will keep that in mind.” Adam returned his attention to the horse.

Balfour turned and Adam cursed. He’d overplayed his hand. He racked his brain for a way to bring the man’s interest back to him but came up empty. Anything too direct would put Balfour on notice.

The man halted and faced him. “Are you willing to make a wager?”

Adam kept his expression neutral. “I’m not a gambling man.”

“Even when the gain is great?”

Adam gave a mirthless laugh. “What would you know of great gain?”

“Enough to know that you could finance your love of horses for the rest of your life.”

Adam paused his hand for the barest of moments, then continued brushing Merlyn. The animal’s swished his tail.

“I find it interesting that a man of your…reputation paid his father’s debts,” Balfour said.

This was the one snag in his plan. How did a man who paid his dead father’s debts prove he was a pirate?

“I’m in no mood to indulge your curiosity,” Adam said.

“But I ask that you do.” Balfour stepped up to Merlyn and ran a flattened palm down the animal’s back. The horse nickered in satisfaction. “Why not tell the creditors to go to the devil? You would have had enough money to survive for at least five years.”

Adam hesitated. “Because I knew it would anger him, even beyond the grave.”

Balfour’s brows shot up. Then he smiled. “Fathers can be…difficult. My father was difficult”—a distant look entered his eyes—“until I reached sixteen.” His expression cleared and he smiled. “But that is a story for another time. I propose a bargain…a wager. I need a man like you.”

“Aman like me?” Adam repeated.

“Indeed. A man with experience making money.”

“Stealing money, you mean,” Adam said.

Balfour slowly nodded. “That, too. However, we now need to make our money appear legitimate.”