The Smuggler's Gambit (Adam Fletcher Adventure Series Book 1) by Sara Whitford

Author:Sara Whitford [Whitford, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seaport Publishing
Published: 2015-03-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

THE RIDE OVER TO LANEY Martin’s estate was a pleasant one in spite of the fact that Adam took the shorter route that cut through the woods to get there rather than riding along the water’s edge. That is, it was pleasant until he got about a mile from her house. Suddenly, he saw a fancy horse cart coming down the little lane in his direction. His heart sank when he realized who it was—Francis Smythe. Don’t tell me he was just at the Martin estate, Adam thought. But who else would he be going to visit so far from town?

Apparently, Smythe must’ve seen him, too, because he gave Adam his typical smarmy grin as his horse trotted past. He couldn’t let that bother him too much right now. He was going to Laney’s house to take care of business, not on a social call. Suddenly, he wondered if Francis Smythe might have been Richard Rasquelle’s spy. He was at Rasquelle’s party, too, after all. His father was also the local customs agent. As Adam began trying to put the puzzle pieces together in his mind, he snapped the reins on the horse to encourage it to go faster.

Once he finally arrived, Adam ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath before he pulled the cord by the door. If the circumstances were different, he’d have been excited about standing there on the big front porch with flowers waiting to see Laney Martin, but right now he was only focused on the task at hand.

He winced as he looked down and noticed the spindly daisies and dainty purple and pink phlox he had picked on the way over had begun to wilt in the grasp of his calloused hand. He realized that if Smythe had seen the pitiful bouquet, he was likely laughing all the way back to town. There was no time to worry about that now, though.

Within seconds Charles appeared at the door. “Mr. Fletcher,” he said. “Good day, sir. How may I help you?”

“Good day,” said Adam. “I’m here to see Miss Laney. Is she here?”

Charles nodded. “Wait here please,” he said, before disappearing into the house.

Laney soon appeared at the door. “Mr. Fletcher, what a surprise,” she said.

She was wearing a simple pale blue calico dress, but to Adam the girl was so beautiful he had nearly forgotten what had brought him there in the first place.

He didn’t speak right away, so Laney said, “What are you doing here?”

“Miss Laney,” he finally sputtered, “I apologize for the intrusion, but we need to talk.”

She gave him a puzzled look. He had hoped she’d invite him inside, but when she didn’t, Adam realized he’d have to be more direct.

“Look, please don’t misunderstand me, but I think we should speak inside.” He thrust out his arm and presented her with the flowers he had been squeezing in his left hand.

She raised a skeptical eyebrow at him but saw he was insistent that she take them, so she did and then motioned for him to come inside.

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