Page 71 of A Stranger’s Gamble

Chapter Twenty-Three

Sophie said a quiet thanks when Adam had business that took him away directly after their meeting. Congratulations on their marriage poured in, so by teatime, Sophie hid away in her room until her father commanded her to come down to dinner. The family ate in silence, and afterward, Sophie adjourned to the parlor not wanting to be in her bedchambers when Adam returned.

The clock struck nine, and Sophie still sat in the parlor pretending to read a book when the front door opened. Adam had returned. She remained seated and listened to his footsteps as he strode down the hallway. He had to be headed for the small study where her father had taken up residence.

She wanted very badly to eavesdrop but didn’t know this house like she did her own. Plus, if a maid happened upon her while she was listening in on the men’s conversation, she couldn’t guarantee the maid would remain quiet.

An hour ticked by when the study door opened and bootfalls approached the parlor. Sophie looked up when Adam entered the room. When he closed the doors behind him, her heart began to pound.

He crossed the room and sat on the couch beside her. “You are looking well.”

She closed the book of which she hadn’t read a single line. “There is no need to make small talk, sir.”

“Sir?” He lifted a brow. “What happened to Adam?”

“Adam is the man who accompanied me when I sneaked out to go to the oyster cellars.”

“I am that same man,” he said. “Did you like me at all?”

“I liked you a great deal. I simply had no idea you were lying to me.”

“You were lying to me, as well, Sophie.”

“I lied to protect myself—and I had no idea who you were. If I had known—” She took a deep breath to calm herself.

“If you had known, would you have told me?” he asked gently.

“Indeed, I would have,” she cried. “I meant to avoid you.”

He laughed. “If it helps, that night at the oyster cellars, I didn’t know your identity.”

She didn’t want to admit that the knowledge did help. “But when you found out, you made a fool of me,” she said.

“That was not my intention.”

She pinned him with a stare.

“All right,” he said. “I did want to teach you a lesson. But you must own that I had no way of knowing that you didn’t know who I was. I thought you were trying to trick me.”

She wanted to argue just to be contrary, but he had a valid point.

“You knew I didn’t want to marry you,” she said. “So why marry me?”

He shrugged. “I believed you and I would get along well enough.”

“Well enough,” she repeated. “That is a fine reason to marry.”

“Would you rather marry for love?”

She grunted. “I married for love the first time. There was no need to repeat that mistake.”

“There you have it. We enjoy one another’s company.” He grasped her hand. “I do intend to live up to my vows. I will protect you with my life, if necessary. I will provide for you. If you are agreeable, with children, as well.”

He would expect an heir.

Adam stretched out a hand on the back of the sofa. “Balfour will host a party in our honor tomorrow evening.”

She shook her head. “There is no need. He accomplished his goal. You saved me by pretending to marry me.”