Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) Read online

  “Tell me about yourself, Lady Sarah. I’m certain you grow weary of hearing about my dreary life.”

  She smiled. “Oh, no. I could never get bored hearing about you. Besides—” She paused to look at her clasped hands, “—there really is not much to tell you about my life.”

  “You must be mistaken. After all, you are a duke’s daughter and the niece of a prominent man in Boston. What could be more exciting than that? I’m quite certain you have many stories to tell.”

  “I assure you, I do not lead the adventurous life you do. My life is quite boring. My father and uncle may be prominent figures in the community, but they keep me sheltered. I’m surprised my father allowed me to visit Mr. and Mrs. Hampton without him accompanying me. After all, this is my first visit to the colonies.”

  “Indeed? How fascinating. I assume your father has been here before, though?”

  “Yes. He met my mother in New York on one of his visits.”

  Her tale grew more interesting by the second. “Tell me,” he said cocking his head, “why did your mother not come with you this time?”

  “She died fifteen years ago.”

  Sorrow filled him and he frowned. He understood the ache of losing a parent, because he had lost both of his. “Forgive me. I didn’t know.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. How could you know when you do not know my family?”

  “No truer words were spoken.” Gabe offered a slight smile as he traveled his gaze over her black hair wound artfully in a bun, then to her pretty round face. Big brown eyes stared back at him, long, thick lashes surrounding them. Her nose was small and somewhat pudgy, but not overly so. Her lips appeared thin, but they in no way tempted him to kiss them. Her skin looked smooth, but once again, he was not tempted to stroke her cheek just to feel if it was a soft as it looked.

  Another face came to mind. Miss Emmie—the one with the smoldering big, brown eyes. Right away he questioned his train of thought. Why would he think of the lady’s companion at a time like this? Quickly, he shook her out of his mind.

  “Well, Lady Sarah, I appreciate your kindness in telling me about your family. I do feel as if I’m getting to know you better.”

  “As do I.”

  From the corner of his eyes, the shadow in the bushes moved. Once again, awareness pricked his skin. They were definitely being watched. Without studying the shadow and drawing attention to himself, he tried to sneak peeks that way while conversing with the duke’s daughter.

  “So, Lady Sarah, now that you have been here a few days, what do you think of New Hampshire?”

  “It is certainly warmer than where I’m from, and the scenery is so much greener. My father…um, we live closer to London. Before my father became a duke, we had a small cottage out in the country, but I haven’t been there for many years.”

  He nodded. “I wish I could say I have been to London, but that is a place I’ve yet to visit.”

  Silence lagged between them, which gave Gabe a moment to take a peek at the bushes again. Slowly, the clouds moved away from the moon long enough for him to see the figure of a woman. Unless his eyes played tricks on him, the figure resembled Miss Emmie quite a bit. Without studying the shadows any deeper, he knew it was the lady’s companion. Although he didn’t know much about her, what he did know led him to believe she’d do something this daring. He held back a grin. That little minx!

  He debated on whether to say something and bring her out of hiding. Then again, he couldn’t embarrass her. Instead, he would take advantage of the situation and play it up, just to see how Emmie would react.

  Gabe stepped closer to Lady Sarah and took her hands. “My lady?” he asked softly. “Is there a man back home to whom you are promised?”

  She looked up at him with wide eyes then dropped her gaze. “No.”

  “Indeed?” Strange, but he thought she’d be betrothed to someone by now. “I cannot believe such a lovely woman doesn’t have a beau.”

  She giggled. “There are men who try to court me, but none have impressed me or my father.” She lifted her attention back at him. “My father promised I could choose my own husband. So far I have found none I could fall in love with.”

  He caressed her cheek. “You are still very young, and you have awhile before you need to settle down.”

  She nodded.

  He moved closer and swept his fingers along her chin. “Do you think your father brought you to the colonies to find the right man?”

  Her gaze softened, and he tried not to grin. He should be ashamed for leading the poor girl on, but it had been a while since he flirted this way. Thankfully, he still had that certain touch which made a woman’s knees weak.

  “I don’t know,” she replied. “Perhaps.”

  He scanned her face again and rested his attention on her lips, which were now parted. Although she was lovely, he didn’t feel any attraction for her. Besides, he only acted this way to make Miss Emmie upset.

  “Lady Sarah, I cannot believe how lovely you are.” He came closer until her dress rubbed against his breeches and overcoat. “Will you consider letting me kiss you?”

  She swallowed hard. She was nervous, he could tell, but he really wasn’t trying to seduce her. He waited for a reaction from the hidden peeping companion. From the bushes heavy breathing overrode Lady Sarah’s ragged breaths. Keeping a solemn expression, Gabe tried not to smile.

  Lady Sarah cleared her throat. “Mr. Lawrence, I think it is improper to kiss you at this time. We have only just met.” Her voice squeaked.

  Gabe hovered his lips above hers, hesitating, making the moment linger. The scent of wine was on her warm breath as it blew against his face. She licked her lips. Staring deeply into her eyes, he watched the fear laced with eagerness in her expression. Her breathing quickened, and he knew he’d better stop this before she passed out.

  Slowly, he pulled away. He admired her courage, but more so of that of Miss Emmie. So far, the little minx hadn’t blown her cover.

  “Very well, Lady Sarah. I shall have to bide my time until the moment is right, and until you approve. Please forgive me for my forwardness.”

  She shied away again. “There is no need for apologies.”

  “Come.” He held out his elbow. “Allow me to take you back to the party. My uncle is probably worried sick about the guest of honor right now, and I’m quite certain Miss Emmie is beside herself.” Literally.

  As he turned, he took a quick peek at the woman still hiding in the bushes. He grinned, continuing on his way. Miss Emmie surprised him at every turn. Remarkably, he wondered what she would do next...and realized he couldn’t wait to find out.

  Chapter Four

  Once Gabe and Anna had walked away, Emiline released the breath she was holding and it came out in a gush. Thankfully, neither of them had seen her. Relief also poured through her to know that Anna had not let Gabe kiss her. Her maid played a role, and Lady Sarah would have not allowed a man to take the liberties in stealing a kiss…no matter how handsome he was.

  Then again, she had really never known any man as handsome as Gabe. And blast it all, it didn’t help that she kept seeing him in the water! Perhaps if she had been in Gabe’s arms, she would have been sorely tempted to let him place his lips on hers.

  Breathing slower, she relaxed against a tree. Finally her heart beat a normal rhythm. Vicariously, she’d experienced Anna’s thrill of excitement and couldn’t help but wish she was the woman in Gabe’s arms instead of her friend.

  Groaning, she rubbed the throb starting in her forehead. She wished she knew why she felt this way. It was so unlike her. Had living as a lady’s companion become so boring that she suddenly dreamed of improper things? What happened to the freedom she thought she’d had pretending to be a companion? For some reason, it wasn’t all she had wanted it to be.

  She pulled away from the tree and took slow steps away from her hiding area, taking great care to see if anyone was watching her. Once again, she was grateful that nobody ha
d cared about the lady’s companion. She hurried back into the house as fast as she could.

  Just as she entered, the announcement came of the last dance for the evening. Disappointed, she watched as Gabe danced with Anna. His joyous smile while he stared into Anna’s eyes nearly broke Emmie’s heart.

  After the dance ended, Anna left Gabe’s side and made her excuses to Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. Emmie followed Anna up the stairs toward their rooms. She really didn’t want to talk to her friend since jealousy continued to eat at her gut.

  “Oh, Emmie.” Anna sighed dreamily. “Can you believe there’s a man like Mr. Lawrence? He’s so handsome...and he wanted to be with me. I cannot fathom why he was flirting with me this evening. I tried my best to act shy, but he still continued his pursuit.”

  Emiline tried to be gentle as she helped Anna remove the gown to ready her for bed, but ended up yanking the material over her friend’s head, instead, pulling her hair in the process. Irritably, Emmie rolled her eyes and replied, ”Of course he flirted with you. He’s a man with no title, and you are supposed to be the duke’s daughter. Why wouldn’t he vie for your attention?”

  She refused to believe he was enamored with Anna because she was pretty. Men only wanted to court Emiline because of who her father was, so it had to be the same with Anna. It just had to be.

  “Do you think that’s why he gave me so much attention?” Anna asked sheepishly.

  Emmie fisted her hands as she stormed to the drawer to retrieve a nightdress for Anna. “It is. That’s why everyone acted the way they did tonight. Out here in this country town, they have probably never met a duke’s daughter before.”

  “Oh.” Anna’s excitement sobered drastically.

  Inwardly, Emiline cringed. Obviously, she’d hurt her friend with the way she snapped at Anna. But something needed to be said to deflate her friend’s enthusiasm. “After I get you ready for bed, I am going to go outside and take a walk, all right?”

  Anna shrugged. “Why are you asking me? You are the duke’s daughter, after all.”

  Irritation flowed through Emiline and she sighed. “I was just letting you know my plans for the evening.”

  “Fine,” Anna snapped as she sat on the chair in front of the vanity and pulled out the pins in her hair. “I do not care if you go for a walk in the dark this late at night without a proper chaperone.”

  “You forget,” Emmie countered, picking up a brush, “everyone thinks of me as a lady’s companion. They are not going to wonder why I’m by myself.”

  As she finished brushing Anna’s hair, silence grew in the room and became insufferable. Emiline realized she shouldn’t be so upset, but it was hard not to feel like this. She didn’t want her maid to think it was her fault because Emmie was angry. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to smile.

  “Anna, I forgot to tell you that I think you performed well this evening. Nobody could tell you were not the real Lady Sarah.”

  Hesitantly, Anna’s gaze lifted in the mirror and met Emiline’s. “Indeed? You really think so?”

  “I do. I’m certain my father would have complimented you as well.” She chuckled. “You do look more like my family than you think.”

  Suddenly, Anna’s eyes widened. “Oh, I just remembered something I overheard tonight.” She grasped Emiline’s hands. “I heard rumors that Mr. Hampton is related to Captain Hawk.”

  Confusion filled Emmie’s head and she couldn’t quite wrap her mind around what Anna was saying. “Captain Hawk?”

  “Yes, the captain of The Avenger—the pirate ship that attacked the very ship your mother sailed on and was killed.”

  The shock of the news gushed out of Emiline’s lips as she lost her breath. The brush fell from her hand, thudding to the floor as an icy chill ran through her blood. “That cannot be right,” she whispered in disbelief. “Mr. Hampton is friends with my father. Would my father not know this?”

  “I’m thinking he does not, Emmie.”

  “But why…why would Mr. Hampton agree to have me stay here knowing it was his relative who killed his best friend’s wife?”

  “I don’t’ know—unless Mr. Hampton is not on speaking terms with his relative now, and he must have thought you would not ever know.”

  Emiline’s heartbeat gradually returned to normal as she tossed the idea back and forth in her mind. “What you said makes sense, Anna. After all, I believe the pirate is fighting for the Patriots, and Mr. Hampton obviously sides with our Mother England.”

  “Yes.”

  Emmie sighed and nodded. “That must be what happened. I shall not blame Mr. Hampton for something his relative did.”

  “You have a forgiving heart.”

  After Anna climbed into bed for the night, Emmie quickly left the room and made her way down the stairs. Her maid had said she had a forgiving heart, but Emmie didn’t feel like she did at this moment. She wanted to know the truth. Who was this so-called relative of Mr. Hampton’s? And why was her mother killed so violently? The mystery to her mother’s death was never fully explained.

  Outside, the cool air stroked Emmie’s face, relaxing her slightly. Breathing in deeply, she hoped it would cool her temper as well. This whole night had been an emotional ride for her. First with watching Mr. Lawrence woo Anna…and now hearing the news about the relative. Hopefully, she would be able to collect herself and continue as she’d had thus far.

  If they had only stayed in England instead of coming to the Colonies, none of this would have happened. Her father wouldn’t have had the insane notion of Emmie playing the role of lady’s companion, and she wouldn’t have had to discover Anna’s talent for acting. Moreover, they wouldn’t have met the very handsome Mr. Lawrence, and she wouldn’t be having these strange feelings of jealousy. Emiline always envied her friend for being pretty, but had never let it get this far out of control.

  She wished now they could return home and everything would be the way it was. She missed her father and her other friends. This was really the first time she had been so far away from home. However, time away would be good for her, she just needed to have patience…which was something she never had.

  In her wandering, she found herself on the back terrace. Most of the guests from the party had left, and only a few servants milled about cleaning up. Luckily, a few lamps were still lit on the lawn, giving her the lighting she needed for her walk. Pausing, she leaned against the railing and looked up at the moon. It appeared so big tonight, much larger than she had ever seen, and she had looked at the moon quite a bit in her lonely life.

  “Now, why am I not surprised to find you out here this late after dark, and all alone?”

  The man’s deep voice from behind made her jump. She whirled around to face the intruder. When Gabe walked closer, her heart pounded faster. Automatically, her hand flew to her bosom as if to stop the wild beating beneath her chest. Being alone with him out here was certainly not proper. Yet, leaving was not an option!

  “Mr. Lawrence, you frightened the wits out of me.”

  He chuckled. “Forgive me, but I thought you would have heard me coming. I made enough noise to wake the household.”

  She grinned. “I suppose I was lost in thought and didn’t hear.”

  He moved closer until he stood next to her, leaning his hip against the railing. “What, may I ask, were you thinking of? It must have been enthralling to keep you from hearing my loud entrance.”

  “No. It was not that intriguing. I was just thinking of home.”

  “Are you homesick?”

  She nodded. “I have never been this far away.”

  “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you keep your mind off home?”

  A teasing glimmer sparked his eyes, letting her know he wasn’t serious in trying to give comfort. This look was definitely different from the way he looked at Anna tonight. “I thank you for your thoughtfulness, but there is nothing you can do.”

  He grinned then glanced over her. She shifted, uncomfortable under his
close scrutiny, yet a heated chill ran over her, warming her considerably.

  “I have to admit,” he said, “you do look different somehow.”

  She arched her eyebrows in question. “Is that good or bad?”

  He laughed deeply. “If you don’t mind my candidness, I think your dress looks slightly outdated, and it’s a little large on your small frame. This particular style of dress does not fit you, either. It doesn’t match your bold personality.”

  She couldn’t hold back from laughing. Wouldn’t he love to know why… “Well, I’m sorry you don’t approve. Maybe Lady Sarah and I can travel into town tomorrow to find a dressmaker. Would that make you happy?”