Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) Read online

  Anna stepped to her and clasped her hands. “Oh, Emmie, this will be so fun. I can hardly wait. We will have the grandest time—”

  “We?” Rebecca cut in.

  Anna glanced at the other woman. “Yes. My companion and I—”

  “Heavens no, my lady. Miss Emmie will remain here.”

  Emmie’s heart dropped to her stomach, and although she wanted to ask why Rebecca didn’t want her to go, Emmie already knew. That woman was so mean and selfish, Emmie would probably spend most of the trip teaching her manners, she was sure. She glanced at Anna and frowned.

  Anna shook her head. “Miss Hampton, Emmie has to come.”

  Rebecca’s false smile pricked Emiline’s temper, making her want to physically lash out at the obtuse woman.

  “Miss Emmie won’t be needed since you with be with me and my parents.” Rebecca threw a glare toward Emiline. She quickly diverted her attention to Anna. “Melba will be traveling with us, and she’ll help you however you need. Besides, my maid is used to hard labor and will do an exceptional job.”

  Anna’s happy expression disappeared when a frown claimed her face. Emiline pursed her lips tight. Apparently, Miss Hampton didn’t think Emmie worked very hard.

  She nodded to Rebecca then looked at Anna. “I will have your things ready, Lady Sarah.” Then, before she was tempted to put Rebecca in her place, she quickly spun around and left the room.

  Storming into Anna’s room, Emiline yanked open the closet doors and pulled out the trunks. “I’m not used to hard labor?” she mumbled to herself as she stuffed a dress into the trunk. “Who does Miss Hampton think she is to judge me so harshly?”

  The bedroom door opened and Anna flew in. She ran to Emiline and grabbed her hands. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know—”

  “Anna,” she stopped her. “I realize what Miss Hampton thinks of me. Most of the Hampton’s servants think I am slothful, too, so it’s only natural for Miss Hampton to think her maid can do more.”

  “But what shall I say to change her mind?”

  Emiline shook her head. “There’s nothing you can say. Leave it alone. I will be fine right here at the estate. You go and have fun for the both of us.”

  “But it’s not right.”

  “I know that, but we must let the matter rest. There is nothing neither of us can do or say since we are both guests here.”

  Frowning, Anna nodded as she moved to one of the armoires and pulled a gown out. Emmie didn’t stop her, only because she lacked the strength to say anything as discouragement sat heavily on her heart. They both packed the trunk in silence. Once in a while Emmie glanced at Anna, but when she noticed her friend’s watery eyes, Emmie quickly looked away before she started crying, too.

  Soon, the swishing of petticoats against the skirt of a dress was heard in the hall. Seconds later, Rebecca stood in the doorway holding two teacups. Her expression wavered between happy and being upset. Emmie wished she knew she could read the other woman better.

  “There has been a change of plans,” she snipped. “Apparently, my father thought it best that we invite Miss Emmie to go with us to Manchester.”

  Emmie’s heart lifted. What a wonderful man! If he were standing here right now she’d probably hug him.

  “How exciting!” Anna cheered as the tears disappeared from her eyes. “Now we must get your trunk packed.”

  “Yes, um…that’s what I thought too,” Rebecca said in a rush. “So I brought up some tea for both of you.” She handed Emmie’s cup to her first, then Anna.

  Emmie eyed the other woman carefully. Rebecca was certainly acting out of character…being nice, that is. “Thank you, Miss Hampton.” She took the teacup from her.

  Anna took hers and sipped. As Emmie drank her tea, she watched Rebecca over the rim of the cup. Something definitely was not right. By the way the other woman’s sinister eyes watched Emmie, the hairs on the back of her neck stood. Did she want to travel to Manchester with such a calculating woman?

  Sighing heavily, Rebecca offered a faux smile, turned and hurried out of the room. Emmie was even more leery of the woman’s actions now.

  Once they were finished packing, Anna returned downstairs, but Emmie’s stomach wasn’t feeling well. By the time dinner was served, her stomach was rolling, and she stayed upstairs in her bedroom. The tang of the tea still lingered in her mouth and tasted very different from what she’d drank before. For some reason, her stomach didn’t like whatever it was Rebecca had given her. Yet Anna seemed just fine.

  The night passed too slowly. Emmie couldn’t sleep because she was running to the chamber pot too often, upheaving whatever it was in her stomach. By the next morning, she was too tired, and too weak to even get out of bed. When Anna and Rebecca came to Emmie’s room, she didn’t have the strength to even smile.

  “Oh, dear.” Anna touched her hand to Emmie’s cold face. “Miss Hampton, I don’t think we should go to Manchester with Emmie this sick.”

  “How sad,” Rebecca said with entirely too much bounce in her voice. “Well, everything is already in place for us to travel.” She pouted…although Emmie knew it was all for show.

  “Go on without me,” Emmie whispered brokenly.

  Rebecca tapped Anna’s arm. “I’ll let our servants know to take special care of Miss Emmie while we are gone.”

  Confusion caused Anna’s eyes to narrow as her forehead creased. “I don’t know. Maybe I should stay—”

  “Absolutely not,” Rebecca said quickly. “Miss Emmie will be just fine—” she looked at Emmie, “—won’t you?”

  If this was any other day, Emmie would have loved to argue with her. But she just didn’t have it in her now. “Yes, I shall be just fine. I’m actually feeling slightly better than I did last night,” she lied.

  Frowning, Anna folded her arms. “Well, all right, if you insist.”

  “I do,” Emmie whispered.

  When the two women left, Emmie groaned and turned in her bed, pulling the blanket up higher. She needed rest badly.

  By mid-afternoon, she was back to feeling normal. It was strange that the stomach ailment would affect her in such a way. But thankfully, she seemed much better now. And…her mind was working because she knew Rebecca had put something in Emmie’s tea to make her so sick. That was the reason the insufferable woman had acted the way she had.

  On the second day, she decided she wasn’t going to sit around and be bored, but she would do something instead. She changed into her riding habit—not Anna’s, but hers—and left the house. This particular riding habit wasn’t as new as her others, but because it had been her favorite for over a year, it was well worn, so she didn’t think any of the Hampton’s servants would question why she was wearing one of Lady Sarah’s outfits.

  Emmie ran right to the stables. As she entered, the stable boy stood talking to another person, and because of where they stood, she couldn’t see who it was...until she moved closer and noticed Gabe. His gaze met hers, holding her prisoner. It was too late to leave now.

  Staring at him nearly caused her to have heart palpitations. Every time she’d seen him before, he was dressed in fancier clothes. Now he looked more like a farmer, yet…he was absolutely breathtaking in his fawn colored shirt and black breeches, and black knee-high riding boots. His good looks had fascinated her so much her feet wouldn’t move to take her away from here.

  He stopped the conversation with the stable boy who then turned to fetch a horse. Gabe smiled at her, so she returned the gesture. She still felt uncomfortable under his close scrutiny, but tried to be polite, nonetheless.

  “Good day, Miss Emmie. What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “I have come to ride one of Mr. Hampton’s horses.”

  He lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. “Indeed? Have you done this before?”

  “Yes. Surprisingly, Mr. Hampton gave me permission not long after our game on the lawn with your family.”

  “That does surprise me.” Slowly his smile widened. “But it is
also good news. Now we can ride together.”

  Her heart pounded with uncertainty, yet the idea did sound exciting. It was either that or be very bored. “Why didn’t you travel to Manchester with your aunt and uncle yesterday?”

  Tapping the whip against his thigh in a steady rhythm, he moved closer. “I can do without big cities, and most especially the people there. They are just a bunch of gossipmongers if you ask me.” He paused, tilting his head as he studied her. “Why didn’t you go? I heard my aunt and uncle are taking Lady Sarah to the opera. Won’t you need to assist her?”

  She shrugged. “According to your cousin, her maid will suffice just nicely for both of them. Miss Hampton was determined that I shouldn’t go with Lady Sarah.”

  He stood beside her now. His gaze roamed slowly over her face, making butterflies dance in her stomach. Taking a deep breath of courage, she inhaled his intoxicating scent. A mixture of leather and spice.

  “I must apologize for my cousin. She can be very manipulative sometimes.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “Sometimes?”

  He chuckled. “You are correct. She is manipulative all the time.”

  “Indeed, she is.”

  “You look disappointed that you were not able to go,” he said.

  She nodded. “I too, have never seen Manchester. I would have found the excursion there most pleasing. It would have been nice to partake of the scenery and pleasures.”

  “Maybe someday you will.”

  She shrugged. “Perhaps.”

  There was silence between them for the next few moments. Gabe glanced at her a few times, but mostly watched inside the stable. When his attention wandered her way, a different expression touched his face. It was as if a light flickered to life in Gabe’s head. His eyes widened as he turned them to her.

  “I have a message for Lady Sarah. I received this yesterday, but she was out. Do you mind if I tell you instead and you can relay it to her?”

  “Of course.”

  “Remember your carriage accident on your way to my uncle’s estate?”

  “How could I forget? It rattled both Lady Sarah and myself so much.”

  “Well, apparently the authorities found your driver.”

  She gasped and stepped closer. “They did? Was he terribly hurt?”

  “Just the opposite, in fact.” Gabe shook his head. “He was drunk and spouting the truth. Apparently, he knew Lady Sarah’s uncle was Oliver Townshend, and the driver wanted to harm her as a way to get back at her uncle’s most recent tax laws.”

  She slapped a hand over her mouth. Indeed, her father had been correct to assume his daughter might be in trouble. Breathing slower, she lowered her hand. “But we had switched carriages before we even set foot in New Hampshire. How did the driver know?”

  “I’m assuming the first driver you had, told him.”

  “That could have happened.”

  “Apparently, the second driver released the horses before jumping off the vehicle just as it traveled down the slope. That’s why the coach turned over the way it did.”

  She nodded, blinking back tears. Were they safe anywhere? Still, if these citizens knew that she really did side with them and not her uncle, perhaps they would not want to harm her. “I thank you for letting me know. I shall inform Lady Sarah as soon as she returns.”

  At that moment, the stable boy brought around amazing black stallion, temporarily taking her mind of her troubles. Emiline knew a purebred when she saw one, and this horse was a winner; top of the line. Her father owned several, which she rode back home.

  Gabe looked at her again with a gleam in his eyes. “Emmie, would you like to join me for a friendly and relaxing jaunt around the countryside?”

  She still didn’t know if she dared to be alone with him. Her body had betrayed her once before, not only with the kiss, but when she was in the pond. Good thing he couldn’t read her mind at that time since improper thoughts had swam in her head.

  But now... She wanted to be with someone. Anyone. Loneliness didn’t make a good companion. If they become better friends and he started to trust her, then she might ask him about his relative, Captain Hawk.

  “All over the countryside? Not just inside the estate, but outside of it, also?”

  His smile was full now, showing off his straight, pearly white teeth. “You have seen enough of the estate, so why not see more of New Hampshire’s beautiful country?”

  Returning a smile, she quickly made her decision. “I would love to join you, Mr. Lawrence.”

  “Splendid.” He turned to the stable boy. “Put a sidesaddle on Princess so that Miss Emmie can ride her.”

  “Actually,” she quickly cut in, “I prefer a regular saddle.”

  Gabe glanced over her riding habit. “Are you sure?”

  “Oh, yes. I’ll be able to ride just fine in this.” She picked at her skirt.

  Not much time later, the stable boy brought out a white thoroughbred mare, the most amazing horse she had ever seen. “Oh, my,” she gasped, walking to the horse and patting its nose. “You are going to let me ride her?”

  The young lad looked at Gabe who gave him a small nod, then back to her. “Yes, Miss. You can ride Princess.”

  The boy moved to give Emiline assistance, but she flipped her hand to move him away. “Thank you, but I can mount by myself.”

  The stable boy shrugged and turned to help Gabe, but he mounted without any assistance. The boy threw up his hands and walked away.

  Without thinking, Emmie pulled her dress up almost to her knees, helping her to mount better. Once she was sitting astride and had her dress in place, she looked at Gabe. His eyes were wide and still directed to her legs. Inwardly, she groaned. If her father knew she’d just given a man a glimpse of her stocking legs, her hide would be raw by nightfall.

  Clearing his throat, Gabe shook his head and switched his focus to look straight ahead. He pulled the reins and turned his horse, Emiline followed him until they trotted side by side. He rode with ease and skill. So refined. So much like a noblemen. She was certain he’d have made a fine man of peerage. It was too bad his circumstances left him untitled.

  After a few awkward minutes, she finally breathed a sigh of relief that Gabe hadn’t commented on her improper display not too long ago, and she finally let the excitement of their horse ride consume her. Although being alone with Gabe made her nervous, she couldn’t stop giddiness from surrounding her as he began his tour of New Hampshire’s countryside. Not only was her heart beating witlessly, her mind jumped everywhere at once.

  “You know,” she began to speak her thoughts as they came, “I used to ride a horse just like yours back home when—” She quickly stopped then mentally scolded herself. She shouldn’t have told him that. After all, most poor people didn’t own many horses, especially thoroughbreds.

  Gabe raised his eyebrows in question. “You rode a stallion? Just like this one?” he repeated. “Was it your horse or Lady Sarah’s?”

  “It was Lady Sarah’s...well, actually, it was her father’s horse, but Lady Sarah allowed me to ride it and she rode the mare.” His gaze narrowed on her, so she quickly finished with, “Because of my upbringing, she knew I could handle the stallion better.” Once again, she silently chided herself for not thinking before speaking. My upbringing? How was a poor relative going to handle a thoroughbred better than a mare?

  “Pray, Miss Emmie, why don’t you tell me about your most curious upbringing.”

  Think, Emiline! “Perhaps I will when the time is right.” She lifted her chin and pushed her horse a little faster. He kept her pace with his animal.

  “So, how good are you at riding?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Her heartbeat picked up rhythm. “I’m actually not as good at riding as I am at...racing!” She dug her brown calf-high boots in the sides of the mare, taking off ahead of him, laughing over her shoulder as she passed.

  He shouted with laughter before the thundering of the horse’s hooves caug
ht up to her. Knowing him, he would try his hardest to show her that a woman didn’t know the first thing about racing. After a few moments of him still being the one in the rear, she hoped he would change his attitude about her.

  Glancing back, his hard expression let her know he was serious in his pursuit as he leaned forward in his saddle, pushing the animal faster. She finally allowed him to catch up. His expression changed. Now he looked hurt...and surprised.

  She stopped her horse, and he did the same. “I apologize, Mr. Lawrence. Please forgive me for laughing, but if you could see the look on your face right now.” She couldn’t hold it back any longer and laughed harder.