Page 68 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sophie calmly confessed everything to her father and aunt.

“You are damned lucky he didn’t kill you,” her father muttered.

He was angry, but Sophie read the fear in his eyes. “I am sorry,” she said.

He gave her a curt nod and instructed Adam to follow him into the study. Sophie and her aunt were to wait here for them. Sophie resisted the urge to argue.

Beatrice entered the parlor five minutes later. Sophie glimpsed the moisture in her eyes and jumped to her feet and raced to her.

They threw their arms around each other, and Beatrice said, “I was terribly worried, miss.”

“I know.” Sophie drew back. “I was beastly to run off like that.”

“And now you are married,” Beatrice said.

Sophie sighed. “For the moment.”

She grasped Beatrice’s hand and pulled her to the sofa. They sat, and Sophie poured Beatrice some tea from the pot sitting on the coffee table. Beatrice drank and they sat in silence for half an hour before Sophie told her aunt, “I have no intention of remaining married to the marquess.”

Maddie regarded her for a long moment. “You were perfectly willing to marry him when you didn’t know he was the marquess. We both know that man is not a criminal, Sophie.”

“You would not say that if you would’ve heard him speaking with Mr. Balfour.”

Her aunt nodded. “There are, indeed, rumors about Mr. Balfour. But the marquess explained that he is working for the Crown.”

“How can we possibly believe such an outlandish story? Matthew had many outlandish stories. I will never again be foolish enough to believe such a ridiculous tale.”

Aunt Maddie’s expression softened. “Does Lord Monthemer seem anything like your dead husband?”

Sophie gave a mirthless laugh. “Nae, but that does not mean he isn’t just as bad. Think, Aunt Maddie, how many men truly work for the Crown?”

“Not many, I am sure. You needn’t worry, though. Your father will get to the bottom of this.” A sparkle lit her eyes. “And I am not without my own connections.”

“I am certain your father will make sure Lord Monthemer is honest,” Beatrice said.

Sophie started to reply, then didn’t when bootfalls approached down the hallway. The men had finished their business and were now on their way to inform the women—her in particular—of their decisions. Sophie jumped up and hurried to the bookshelves. She pulled a book from the shelf, then raced back to the sofa and dropped onto the cushion. She yanked the book open two seconds before they entered. Then she looked up with what she hoped was the most placid expression in existence.

Adam’s eyes caught on Beatrice and narrowed. Sophie remembered when she’d heard his voice in Lady Ella’s garden maze. Oh Lord, he had met Beatrice when she had been pretending to be Sophie. Lord Blair had been there, as well. Her father had done some business with Lord Blair. Hadn’t she been introduced to him at some party? Why hadn’t he said something when Beatrice introduced herself as Sophie? Oh! The odious men. Lord Blair hadn’t said anything because they already knew Sophie wasn’t Beatrice. He and Adam had both known!

When she and Adam had danced at Lady Seafield’s party, and when she’d been in the carriage with Lord Emerson, Adam had known who she was. That explained why Lord Monthemer had signed the marriage agreement in the wee hours of the morning.

Sophie locked gazes with Adam and tensed in readiness for him to tell her father that she had pretended to be Beatrice—and that Beatrice had pretended to be her. Perhaps Adam had already told her father. Fear welled up in her. Her father would immediately dismiss Beatrice. Determination shot through Sophie. She would take Beatrice with her to Adam’s household. But she didn’t plan on staying married to him. If her father dismissed Beatrice, Sophie would leave with her.

Adam crossed the room and seated himself on the couch to Sophie’s left while her father remained paced. Sophie’s heart pounded, but she kept her attention on her father.

“I have sent notices to the papers with the announcement of your marriage to Lord Monthemer,” he said.

Sophie gasped.

He halted and looked at her. “Did you expect otherwise?

“I was very clear that I intend to annul the marriage,” she replied stiffly.

“Sophie, you left Mrs. Eldridge’s party unescorted and followed a man to another man’s home at night. There was never any question that your marriage to Lord Monthemer would remain intact.”

“I am no virgin, Father. I am a widow and am allowed my dalliances.”