Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (13 page)

With a sigh of apathy, Emiline closed the book she’d finished reading and rested it on her lap. It had been three weeks now since she’d arrived in New Hampshire, and as the days lagged on, she realized just how dull the life of a lady’s companion was.

She attended
Lady Sarah
like a dutiful companion…well, at least close to one. She helped Anna dress every morning since Melba was busy with Miss Hampton. Emmie accompanied Anna downstairs for breakfast, but usually they were the only ones in the room eating since Mr. and Mrs. Hampton had already partaken of the meal, and Rebecca was still dressing. After breakfast, Emmie and Anna took a stroll through Mrs. Hampton’s flower garden, but after that, Rebecca controlled Anna’s time pretty much the rest of the day.

Slouching in the sofa,
Emmie’s
legs parted unladylike underneath the overly large dress as she slid her stocking feet on the polished wooden floor, thinking about what to do next. Did her boredom stem back to her masquerading, or did the useless feeling come from watching Gabe court Anna? Lately, she’d been thinking about asking him about Mr. Hampton’s relative—Captain Hawk. Yet, she wondered if Gabe would be so open with her at all.

For some reason, Mr. Hampton told Emmie she could ride his horses any time she wished. It seemed odd that he would say that, but she wasn’t about to argue. She loved riding, even if it was sidesaddle—although she did prefer astride—but even after weeks of riding, that too became boring.

During these times, she thought of her father and uncle. She prayed they fared well in this turmoil, but in the back of her mind, she wished it would all come to an end. Even before coming to the colonies, she had heard talk through London about how the King had been raising taxes over here. It had bothered her a little when she’d heard this, but once she arrived in Boston, and especially during her journey to New Hampshire, she saw the way these people lived—barely scraping the barrel to feed their families. It upset her to see them this way. If given the chance, she would want to help them in any way she could.

Then again…she’d be called a traitor and it wouldn’t matter if she was the duke’s daughter or Oliver Townshend’s niece. She’d be hanged for treason and nobody would save her.

She didn’t want to be a coward, but she didn’t think she could play these double roles. She also noticed that Gabe also played double roles. Although he acted interested in Anna, he also tried to keep Emiline entertained. Because she had to accompany
Lady Sarah
whenever Gabe took her on a ride or a walk, sometimes it seemed he talked more to Emmie than Anna. During these times, her heart softened and she had become weak in the knees. Remembering the steamy kiss they’d shared not too long ago was permanently in her mind, and it wasn’t healthy to daydream so often.

And the pond
... Sighing, she slipped farther down into the cushions of the couch, lifting the book to cover the cheeks she knew were flaming from the memory. She didn’t know how much of her body he’d seen, but it was so very improper. Yet, why did she receive flutters in her stomach every time she thought about it?

Loud footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the library and she straightened to see who was coming to invade her private time. When Rebecca and Anna walked through the door, Emiline sat up straight and slipped back into her role.

Anna’s brown eyes jumped with excitement, but before she could say anything, Rebecca smiled haughtily.

“Miss Emmie? Might I have a word?”

“Certainly, Miss Hampton.”

“My father and mother are taking Lady Sarah and myself to Manchester tomorrow to do some shopping, and then to see an opera afterward. We will be gone two, perhaps three days. I need you to get trunks packed for the journey.”

Emiline’s heart picked up rhythm. Manchester? How thrilling. She’d heard that was a very large town in New Hampshire and had plenty of things to do for those visiting. She tried not to express her joy, but kept a pleasant smile when she nodded. “Lady Sarah and I will be ready, I assure you.”

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.