Page 29 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Sophie took another bite of her biscuit and rolled her eyes. “There will be no dawn appointment. That is far too dramatic for my liking. I want to see Edinburgh, and Mr. MacAlister is the perfect guide.”

“Surely, the marquess would love to be your guide?”

Sophie grimaced. “I have no desire to fend off the attention of a man who would like nothing better than to force me into marriage by getting me with child.”

“Good heavens, what makes you think he would do that? I thought Mr. MacAlister said he doesn’t want to marry.”

Sophie snorted. “The marquess is desperate for money. Such men cannot be trusted.”

“You don’t want children?” Beatrice asked.

Sophie wrinkled her nose. “Aunt Maddie never married and had children. Look at the gay life she lives.” Beatrice opened her mouth to reply, and Sophie cut her off. “Never mind. I will attend the card party. Then, this evening, I will slip out and meet Mr. MacAlister.”

***

That afternoon at precisely twelve o’clock, their carriage halted in front of a large three-story townhouse.

Sophie peered out the window and sighed. “I would rather be with Mr. MacAlister.”

Heaven help her. Was she actually developing a tendre for him? That could be dangerous.

“Perhaps the party will be amusing,” Beatrice said.

The carriage swayed slightly as the driver leapt from his seat to the ground. An instant later, he opened the door and helped first Sophie, then Beatrice from the carriage.

“Thank you, Mr. Jones,” Sophie said. “I believe we will be no more than two hours.”

Beatrice shook her head. “Two hours? That will be just after lunch. Your aunt said Lady Ella planned games until teatime. Then we will have tea.”

“I have no intention of wasting an afternoon playing games,” Sophie said. “Two o’clock please, Mr. Jones.”

He bowed. “As you wish, miss.”

Sophie turned with Beatrice and started up the walkway toward the house. As they ascended the three steps to the door, the door opened, and a tall woman dressed in a gray dress greeted them.

“Miss Shaw, I presume?” the woman said.

Sophie nodded. “Aye, and this is my companion, Miss Frasier.”

The woman angled her head in acknowledgement. “Lady Ella and her guests are in the Gold drawing room. Please follow me.”

Sophie followed with Beatrice at her side. They entered the house and Sophie’s attention caught on the ornate mahogany table to the left of the door, where sat two lamps and an ornate silver candelabra, polished to blinding brightness. They followed the woman down the hallway. Sophie glimpsed a room she guessed to be a study, with a large oak desk and shelves of books. Portraits hung on the walls, and she recognized Lady Ella’s grandfather, the late earl. He had once attended a party Sophie’s father hosted when her mother still lived.

They ascended one flight of stairs and continued down a long hallway then turned a corner. Doors to a room at the far end of the hallway stood open. The pianoforte Sophie glimpsed was enough to confirm that Lady Ella’s family was quite wealthy. Maybe even wealthier than her father. Perhaps Lady Ella would be a good candidate for marriage to the marquess. Aunt Maddie had said the girl was an only child. Surely, she would like to be a marchioness?

They reached the drawing room where a dozen men and women milled about the room. An unusually tall, pretty blonde surrounded by four other women looked their way and her face lit. She said something to the women, who also looked in their direction, then she glided across the room toward them.

When she reached them, she said to Sophie, “You must be Miss Shaw.”

Sophie gave a small curtsey. Beatrice followed suit.

The young woman laughed. “We’ll have none of that. I am Ella.” She extended a hand and Sophie grasped her hand, surprised when Lady Ella gave a firm handshake.

Sophie released her and angled her head toward Beatrice. “This is my friend Miss Frasier.”

To Sophie’s surprise, Lady Ella extended her hand toward Beatrice.

Beatrice accepted and they shook hands. “My lady.”