Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (10 page)

“As do I.”

“In case I need to contact you, where are you staying?”

“Joseph and Mildred Langston. They live just down the lane from the mill.”

Gabe nodded. “I’m sure my uncle will be able to direct me in their path if I cannot locate them.”

“I’m sure he can.”

After the men shook hands, Rufus quit the ballroom and the house. Gabe scrubbed his hands over his face. Exhaustion set in and he could not wait to rest. Making his way to his room, he realized he might not sleep tonight anyway. Not with his mind occupied with the kiss he’d shared with Emmie.

Chapter Five

Gabe rose early in the morning and quickly dressed in his riding clothes, preparing to spend a leisurely afternoon doing nothing but enjoy his solitude in the countryside. It’d been two weeks since he’d come to visit his uncle, and restlessness and boredom began to consume Gabe’s mind. He’d led a busy life of spying these past few years and finding time for leisure was rarely heard of.

Flying down the stairs, he hurried across the wooden floor as he made his way to the front door. When he neared his uncle’s study, Gabe slowed and treaded softly, hoping Henry wouldn’t see him. This was one time he did
not
want to be bothered. Unfortunately, Gabe’s wish was not granted because his uncle sat behind his desk smoking a pipe and lifted his gaze as Gabe passed by.

“Gabriel?” Henry called. “I would like a word, please.”

Gabe stopped and turned. Sighing in defeat, he walked into his Henry’s study and closed the door. “Yes, Uncle?”

“We need to have a serious discussion,” Henry began.

Giving his uncle a nod, Gabe sat in the wooden chair near his uncle’s desk. He breathed in Henry’s pipe scent drifting through the air—the same brand Gabe’s father used to smoke. It brought back a pang of homesickness and sadness, but he quickly dismissed it as he met his uncle’s gaze.

Henry held up a piece of paper. “I received this missive earlier from your father’s half-cousin, and I fear you will not like the news.” He paused, staring into Gabe’s eyes as his frown deepened. “You have grown up carefree and not expected to become a responsible adult. Yet, whether you know this or not, you have inherited your father’s brother’s title—Earl of Wilshire.”

Confusion filled Gabe’s head and he leaned forward, grasping his knees. “My father rarely spoke of his older brother. From the stories I heard, Father was disowned by his father years ago, before he’d married my mother.”

“That, he was. Unfortunately, circumstances change throughout the years. Your grandfather is dead, as well as his son and your uncle’s son.”

“So why did they send you a missive and not one to me?”

“Apparently, your family in England doesn’t know your whereabouts so they sent this to me hoping I would.” He sat up straighter in his chair. “You, my nephew, are now the only living male heir. The title is now yours.”

Not really knowing how he should act, he went with his first instinct…and laughed. Actually, snorting was more of what came out of his mouth and nose. His reaction made his uncle jump back and his eyes widened.

“Uncle Henry, forgive me, but…” Gabe laughed harder as he stood, now towering over his uncle. “Moving to London and becoming an Earl is just not what I want to do with my life.”

Within seconds, a deep scowl appeared on Henry’s face, emphasizing his many wrinkles. “But you must.”

A sharp pound started in his forehead and he rubbed the irritation. “Is there not a distant cousin that the title can go to?”

“No, there’s not.”

Gabe didn’t want to explain the reasons why he didn’t want to live his life in London—as a pompous Earl, no less. “Uncle Henry, I really need to think this over before making a decision.”

His uncle gasped. “What is there to think over, boy? The title is yours whether you want it or not. It comes with a large estate and lands. Many men dream of having such a thing handed to them. You are a very fortunate man, Gabriel.”

Shaking his head he walked to the window and looked out into the yard, gazing upon the predawn sky scattered with billowy clouds. “I’m aware of that, but I have made my own life here in the colonies. I cannot just throw my hands up in the air and forget everything I have done and leave for London without a second thought.” He heaved a sigh. “Will you give me time to think this over?”

“Yes, but do not take too long.”

“But Uncle, I cannot make a rash decision.” He looked back at the older man. “This is my future. If I step into an earl’s life, I would surely be expected to take a wife and have heirs myself.”

Henry nodded. “Just as it’s supposed to be.”

“But I’m not ready for such a responsibility.”

Henry slapped his hands on the desk and stood. His eyebrows creased with irritation. “Then it’s time you took on that challenge. You are not a lad, living the carefree life any longer. You need to bring respect back to your father’s name, and this is the only way you can accomplish such a feat.”

“But I enjoy being who I am. I want to be my own man. I want a normal life.”

The corner of Henry’s mouth lifted in a smirk. “Gabriel, I believe you have never had a normal life, especially now.”

Curiosity got the best of Gabe and he wondered exactly what his uncle knew. But he couldn’t ask. He didn’t want to admit he was a traitor to the crown when he knew his uncle was a devoted loyalist.

“So Gabriel, what do you plan to do?”

Closing his eyes, Gabe rested his head against the window. “I don’t know, Uncle. Please don’t rush me. Allow me to stay here a few more weeks to clear my head and think rationally.” With another heavy sigh, he pulled away from the window and stepped to the door, resting his hand on the brass door handle.

“Gabriel, I want you to think of your future. You cannot live a carefree life forever, you know. And for heaven’s sake, get rid of that awful brown color in your hair and return to the vibrant auburn that reminds me of your mother, my dearly departed sister.”

Chuckling, Gabe opened the door and left, not bothering to give his uncle an answer. He certainly couldn’t tell him he wore this hair color to hide from the King’s Naval Officers.

Gabe’s long strides carried him to the stables, and within moments, he was atop one of his uncle’s stallions and riding away from the estate. It irritated him to think his uncle would reprimand him, yet he could see how much Henry worried about his welfare. As his uncle pointed out, it wasn’t every day a title was handed over to a commoner—especially one who was a traitor to the crown.

He growled in frustration and pushed the horse faster. Ideas of what he could do with a title such as this floated through his mind, but he didn’t want to be in London amongst the enemy. True, he could collect information and send it to the Patriots here, but living that kind of life in London was dangerous. His home was here in the colonies. The
Sons of Liberty
and his crew members were his brothers, and Gabe didn’t want to give up a family like that.

Gabe slowed his horse to a trot as he wandered aimlessly along the path ahead, canopied by the trees. A gentle breeze blew across his face, bringing with it the heady scent of wildflowers nearby.

His thoughts drifted back over the years to the great men he’d worked with. William Braxton, a strong dedicated family man who only wanted freedom for his children as they grew. Marcus Thorne—also known as Captain Hawk—was a great businessman who cared for his fellow Patriots, even if it meant giving his own life.

Because Gabe had such wonderful examples, he wanted to be like his friends. He didn’t want to cower under a pompous title or yield to the way the aristocrats wanted him to live just because he was the only male heir next in line.

But now… Now, no matter what he decided, he must stay here a few more weeks. He must keep his identity—and hair color—hidden.

Stopping the horse on the top of a knoll, Gabe looked out over the countryside, breathing the fresh air. He relaxed slightly. Soon he’d be able to decide his future, but right now, this break refreshed him.

Out of nowhere, something Miss Emmie had said to him came to mind, making him chuckle. She accused him of trying to make Lady Sarah fall in love with him because he was a penniless man. The lady’s companion would probably faint dead away if she knew exactly how much money he had—and that he was just given a title. But to her he was a normal man. He grinned wider. At least he knew he was playing his part well.

Miss Emmie was a strange little woman. Over the past two days, he had been with Lady Sarah quite a bit. He’d taken her on a few carriage rides and even on picnics. Emmie made it obvious through her glares that she didn’t approve. Sometimes he wondered if he courted the duke’s daughter just to get a reaction from her companion.

It was rather funny, now that he thought about it, because Emmie hadn’t met his gaze since he’d kissed her. However, she still watched Lady Sarah closely, and had an even closer eye on him.

He’d also made it a pastime of late to watch the lady’s companion. He couldn’t understand why he thought Lady Sarah looked out of place, and especially why she didn’t act as bold as her companion. Yet bold as Miss Emmie was, she still displayed a face of innocence. Her crimson blushes gave it away.

Swiping his hand across his moist brow, he kicked the horse into a gallop and rode in a different direction. Since the weather was warmer than it had been in a few days, he decided to take another swim in his uncle’s pond. Just thinking about the cool water cascading down his heated body made him urge the animal faster.

He neared the secluded spot and stopped the horse. As he tied the reins to a tree branch, the sound of splashing permeated the air. Since tall trees surrounded the pond, he couldn’t exactly see who had invaded his bathing place, so he hurried toward the water.

The first thing he saw was an ugly gray dress lying on a rock. Gabe shook his head and held in a chuckle.
Miss Emmie.
He really should leave so that she could have some privacy. He was, after all, a gentleman of sorts, but he was in the mood to tease a little. Actually, this time he would tease a lot. How could he not since it had been his first instinct since meeting her?

Gabe waited until she emerged before doing or saying anything. The water slapped against her shoulders, but didn’t show him anything below that. Stringy wet brown hair fell around her face and down her back, making her look more like a woman…and that much more alluring. Something must have gotten in her eye because she vigorously rubbed that spot with her dainty fingers. After a minute, she swiped the hair out of her face, shaking her head in the process.

This was absolutely the most enticing thing he’d ever witnessed, and what made it more appealing was that she didn’t know she had an audience. The woman was naturally sensual, and this knowledge brought a tightening to his chest as his heart hammered out an uneven rhythm.

Once she opened her eyes and saw him, she gasped. Her arms crossed over her chest to hide what he couldn’t see, anyway, and she squatted in the water until the liquid bobbed up around her chin.