Page 44 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Fifteen

Adam’s hackney turned onto the street where Lady Seafield’s townhouse was located. Carriages lined the well-lit street. The hackney stopped in front of a carriage parked in front of the townhouse, and Adam opened the door and jumped onto the street. He tossed the driver his fare then rounded the carriage to the sidewalk. Light shone from every visible window of the four-story home and music seeped through the walls into the night. Lady Seafield’s ball was always a crush. This year was clearly no exception. He strode up the walkway, then up the three stairs to the front door. The footman standing at the door bowed slightly, then opened the door for him. Adam murmured thanks, then followed another youth up a flight of stairs.

The music grew louder as they ascended, and they reached the next floor to wide open doors that revealed a large ballroom nearly bursting at the seams. The footman bowed, then left Adam in the doorway. Adam surveyed the room. Attaching himself to a woman who lied wasn’t worth the money. He would find a way to survive without her father’s money. If he could finance another stallion and begin racing this year—and win—that would give him some much-needed funds. His banker John Bateman knew personally that he was debt free. John had handled most of the transfer of funds to Adam’s father’s larger debtors. Surely, John would extend him a loan?

Was forcing Sophie Shaw to face him and admit she had known all along who he was worth spending even a moment in this hot, stuffy room?

Someone clapped him on the back, and Nicholas and Alistair stepped up alongside him with their wives.

“Adam.” Nick grinned.

Adam ignored him and looked at the woman. “Ladies.” He bowed.

They both smiled.

“How nice to see you, Adam,” Charlotte said.

“And you, ma’am,” he said.

“I hope you are saving a dance for each of us,” Olivia said.

Adam angled his head. “Of course. A dance with each of you ladies will be the highlight of the evening.”

“I should hope not,” Nick said.

Adam continued to ignore him.

“Shall we go in?” Olivia said.

“After you.” Adam stepped aside.

Nick entered first with Olivia, then Alistair said as he passed with his wife, “I had nothing to do with this.”

That, Adam could believe, and he couldn’t help a laugh.

After one turn around the ballroom, and many greetings, Adam finally caught sight of Beatrice. Or, more accurately, Sophie Shaw. Her back faced him and she seemed in deep conversation with two women. Adam worked his way through the crowd as quickly as possible, and she turned toward him as he reached her. Her head snapped up and her eyes widened when they met his.

***

Sophie’s heart thudded and all she could think of was Adam’s warm hand covering her throbbing sex in her dream.

“Good evening,” Adam said.

“What are you doing here?” she blurted.

He lifted a brow.

“I mean, I—that is, I hadn’t expected to see you here.” If her father talked with Adam and learned she had pretended to be Beatrice—

“Come, let’s dance.” He grasped her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm.

“I have a dance card, and this dance is promised to”—she didn’t know who the dance was promised to—“to someone else.”

“I feel certain he will not mind.”

They reached the dancefloor, and Adam pulled her too close and stepped into what she realized was a waltz. Her father would throttle her. She had no intention of capitulating to her father’s demand that she marry, but to purposefully anger him would not help her cause.

“You look quite lovely tonight,” Adam said.