Page 21 of A Stranger’s Gamble

“Not just me. I know plenty of women who are hearty and quite sensible.”

He laughed. “Indeed? I should like to meet these ladies.”

The idea of him wanting to meet other women pricked her pride. “Enough of me and Miss Shaw.” And other ladies, she mentally added. “What of your master? Does he give you as much freedom as you wish?”

“Ah, the marquess.” They stepped from the alley onto the sidewalk. “His lordship will soon bow out from gentle society and employ no one in the forthcoming weeks. I have all the freedom in the world.”

Sophie halted. “Bow out of society? But why?”

“Have you not heard? The marquess’s father lost all his money in a card game.”

“And he expects to buy himself a wife?” Sophie couldn’t disguise her shock.

“A title is a commodity, my dear.”

“I do not think it is a fair trade, at all.”

“Is that so?” he asked in a silky voice.

She looked up and met his gaze square. “I suppose you believe a woman should hand her money over to a stranger?”

“It is her father’s money, if I understand correctly,” he said.

She tried to pull her hand from his arm, but he held firm. She wanted to punch him.

“Her dowry,” she said.

“A dowry her father is paying for.”

She blew out a frustrated breath. “Oh, but you are rude.”

He regarded her. “I have angered you.”

The words were clearly meant to convey surprise, but she didn’t believe he was surprised one little bit.

“You meant to anger me.”

He turned his attention forward and released a breath. “You are right. I am rude. Forgive me.”

Sophie hesitated. He didn’t sound sincere, not exactly, at any rate. He sounded…sad. Had she done something to upset him? He’d said that once his master retired to the county that Adam would no longer be employed. That had to be the source of his upset.

“What will you do? Have you found employment?” she asked.

He steered her around another couple on the sidewalk. “I have yet to decide.”

The melancholic undertone in his voice tugged at her heart. “Perhaps you can convince his lordship to keep you on. What will the marquess do when he withdraws from society?”

His attention remained forward. “Spend his wife’s money, of course.”

“Spend his wife’s money?” Her heart began to pound. She’d been right. The marquess was nothing more than a fortune hunter sanctioned by society. “So, he does intend to marry? Miss Shaw will not marry him.”

“You are so certain?”

“You said the marquess was not in favor of the match.”

He gave a mirthless laugh. “That does not mean he will not marry her.”

“If he plans to marry—anyone—why retire to the country? Does he expect his wife to languish in the country?” she asked.