Page 47 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Sixteen

Adam wasn’t surprised to find Beatrice—Miss Shaw—gone when he arrived with champagne. She might have deduced that he knew her true identity and had gone in search of her father in hopes of finding a way out of the web of deceit she’d woven. He recalled their kiss in the garden and his cock began to rise. A mental picture flashed of the beauty beneath him as he plunged so deep into her that he touched her soul. Adam gritted his teeth. He really was no different than his father. He had terrible taste in women. Adam drank both glasses of champagne and considered going home.

Sadly, Miss Shaw was only half the reason he’d come to the party. He needed to at least let Balfour see him here. He had yet to see the man tonight. Lady Seafield’s ball was one of the most important events of the Season. Balfour had to be here.

Adam made one turn around the ballroom in search of Balfour, then was caught by Lady Seafield.

“You are a rogue, sir,” she chided a mock sternness. “I did see you on the dancefloor with Miss Shaw.” The older lady’s eyes twinkled. “She is quite beautiful.”

“Indeed, she is, ma’am,” he said. “I thank you for arranging the dance.”

“You have a second dance with her, you know,” she said.

“I am looking forward to it. Until then—”

“Until then, my lord, you will dance with Miss Hawthorne and then Lady Phoebe.”

Adam blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

She slipped a hand into the crook of his arm and began slowly walking through the crowd. “You did not think that I could allow a handsome man like you to stand on the sidelines like a wallflower?”

He navigated her around a group of men. “I did not plan on stay late, Lady Seafield.”

He patted his arm. “You are young, a few dances will not hurt you.”

He snapped his head in her direction. “A few dances?”

She smiled serenely, eyes straight ahead. “Ah, yes, there is Miss Hawthorne.”

Nearly two hours later, Adam managed to escape the dancefloor. He hadn’t attended a ball in over a year. This would teach him to stay home.

He had seen hide nor hair of Miss Shaw. She had likely gone home. Which is exactly what he planned on doing, once he found Balfour. But where? Then Adam knew.

Five minutes later, Adam found the cardroom where a dozen card tables were set up and games were in progress. He caught sight of an old friend, Sir Henry Waits, at the far table. Of course, Balfour also sat at the same table. Adam headed in that direction. When he neared, Henry’s eyes shifted past the players’ heads and locked his gaze on him. Henry grinned, then threw down his card and rose.

Adam clasped Henry’s outstretched hand and shook. “What the devil are you doing in Edinburgh?” Adam asked. “You never leave the north. Is Dorothea with you?”

Henry laughed. “Dorothea is, indeed, with me. In fact, she’s the reason I am here. She insisted we visit her cousin, who is expecting.”

“And she dragged you here, tonight?”

Henry grimaced. “Aye, the lass can be quite persuasive when she puts her mind to it. Thankfully, she didn’t insist I stay with her in the ballroom all night. Why don’t you join us for a hand?”

“Against you?” Adam snorted. “I think not.”

Henry grinned. “Still have not recovered from the thrashing I gave you last year at Penelope’s?”

“You were damned lucky that night,” Adam replied. “But then, if I recall, you had Dorothea at your side. She always did bring you good luck.”

“She is not here now,” Henry said. “Have a seat.”

“Yes, do have a seat,” Balfour said.

As if only just noticing him, Adam turned slightly toward where Kenrich Balfour sat in the chair to Henry’s left. “Not tonight,” Adam said.

“If you are afraid of Henry, I am sure we can talk him into sitting out a hand,” Balfour said.

Adam gave him a cool smile. “I wouldn’t think of asking Henry to sit out. Especially when he is winning.” Adam looked at his friend. “You are winning, as usual?”