Page 82 of A Stranger’s Gamble

“I’m not supposed to be here,” Imogen replied.

Sophie frowned. “What do you mean?”

Imogen glanced around, then motioned for Sophie to follow her. They hugged the wall until they reached a hallway. Imogen picked up the pace, and Sophie hurried to keep up with her. They reached a room, and Imogen went inside, then closed the door after Sophie entered.

Imogen spun to face her. “I had no idea you were in town until the day after you were here.”

“You knew I was here?” Sophie asked in surprise. “Why did you not visit me?”

“I only heard from the servants the next morning. By then, you were gone.”

“But it’s so wonderful to see you,” Sophie said. “I’m supposed to leave for Inverness.” She assumed Adam—and her father—would insist she leave tomorrow. “But now that I know you are here, I will insist on staying a few more days.”

Imogen shook her head. “That is what I am here to tell you. You must leave as soon as possible. You are in danger.”

“From your brother?”

“Step-brother,” Imogen shot back. “He is no brother of mine. But, yes, from him. I believe he intends to kill you.”

Sophie gasped. “Kill me?”

Her mind catapulted back to the night Mr. Balfour insisted she and Adam marry. He had forced her marriage to Adam in order to ensure she would be under Adam’s control and wouldn’t be able to report Adam to the authorities for his criminal activities, and by extension, protect Mr. Balfour.

“He has no reason to want to kill me,” she said.

“He knows your husband is trying to trap him into revealing where he hid the gold he stole from the king,” Imogen said.

How could Mr. Balfour possibly know Adam was working for the Crown?

“If he knows, why didn’t he kill Adam and me when he found us in the garden?” she asked.

“He learned the truth only fifteen minutes ago.”

Sophie pinned Imogen with a stare. Though she had fond memories of Imogen, Sophie had to admit that she didn’t really know her anymore.

“How do you know all this?” Sophie asked.

Imogen’s expression clouded. “I learned long ago to pay attention to Kenrich’s business. When I discovered that you had been here and he had forced you to marry Lord Monthemer, I paid close attention to Kenrich. He is a very suspicious man.” She gave a dark laugh. “He believes everyone is dishonest because he is dishonest. He has many connections. I do not know which of his connections told him about Lord Monthemer, but I do know someone did.”

“Good God.” Sophie remembered Mr. Balfour telling Adam to meet him at the groundskeeper’s cottage. Sophie took two steps to Imogen and grasped her hands. “Where is the groundskeeper’s cottage?”

Imogen frowned. “What? Why?”

“Your stepbrother instructed Adam to meet him there.”

Sophie’s mind raced. Mr. Balfour and his companion had been on the way to the groundskeeper’s cottage when they had come upon her and Adam. He had said the cottage was on the path.

“I must go.” Sophie pulled the door open and hurried from the room.

Imogen caught up with her. “Where are you going?”

“The groundkeeper’s cottage.”

“But why? Oh, Sophie, you must leave. This is too dangerous.”

“No more dangerous than it is for you,” she replied.

Imogen shook her head. “I am perfectly safe—at least until my twenty-fifth birthday. That is when I am to receive my trust. Then Kenrich will not need me anymore.”