Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (16 page)

She nodded. “Exactly.”

He knelt beside her, touching the weed to the tip of her nose again. “I suppose that’s what makes you so special.”

“Riding a horse astride makes me special?”

“No, being raised the way you were.”

She gazed back into his eyes, and for some reason, she couldn’t look away. A few minutes ago, his jabbing remarks about Lady Sarah’s feelings really irritated Emiline, and yes, jealousy crept into her mind. Now his kind words were like sweet honey, and suddenly, there was a magnetic pull to him.

She didn’t reply to his comment. She couldn’t. Trapped in his mesmerizing gaze, her heart hammered faster, shooting vibrations through her insides until they threatened to melt. Something needed to stop or she’d soon find herself swooning into his arms.

He slowly slid the tip of the weed down the bridge of her nose to drop on her lips, his eyes following the path. Automatically, she parted her lips and the tip of the weed rested on her lower lip. The urge to kiss him became strong and she wanted to bring back the heated excitement flowing through her when he had kissed her before.

This wasn’t right, her mind argued. But the tingling in her body countered, reminding her how incredible his arms had felt around her. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get involved with a man like him. Her father wouldn’t approve of an untitled man for her to marry.

She forced herself to stand and move away from him, clearing her throat. “So, is this the only part of the countryside you are going to show me?”

For a minute, she thought he looked disappointed, but instantly the expression was gone. Could he have wanted to kiss her, too?
Probably not
. Those fantasies were only in her mind.

“You want to see more?”

She nodded.

“Come. I will show you more. I will show my Lady Princess anything her lovely heart desires.” He grinned and bowed slightly.

She chuckled, as giddiness consumed her once again. “It would be unscrupulous to start our wager now since I am not adorned in a dress.”

He scratched his head, his gaze roaming over her length. The familiar chills danced over her skin, bringing back her erratic heartbeat. She tried pushing the feelings aside, but the way his mouth lifted in a grin made her heart sing.

“If you wish, we could always go back to the estate and let you change.”

“No. Let us just continue on our way. We shall start the wager tomorrow.”

“That’s a grand idea.” He nodded and held out his hand for her to take. “Then let us be on our way.”

He helped her to her horse and set her atop of the mare, even though she repeatedly told him she didn’t need his help. She realized just how much she missed being treated like a lady. This time, she made certain she didn’t show him so much of her legs when she adjusted on the saddle.

They rode everywhere, at least it seemed like everywhere for her. She had never seen so much land without farms or houses occupying the space. Everything was so green. Red, violet, yellow, and pink flowers sprinkled the fields like a rainbow. She adored every second she was out here with Gabe.

Once in a while, he stopped and pointed to something and told her a little history behind the object. It amazed her how educated he was, and it pleased her more than it should.

They came upon acres of wild flowers and stopped to eat a bite of what the cook had packed for him. She was grateful the cook prepared for a big appetite, because there was enough food for both of them. After eating, she walked around the field looking at the different types of flowers, some she had never seen before. She thought it rather funny that he knew the names of every flower. Were men in this country required to know such things or was Gabe just extraordinary?

Soon, they rode away from the field and through a few villages. The people waved and greeted them, some even asked if she and Gabe would like to come into their homes for a cup of tea, but he refused for the both of them.

She conversed easily with Gabe, and she liked how being in his presence comforted her. Not once did their topic turn intimate, and she was grateful that her body didn’t react with heated tingles anymore.

It wasn’t until the sun began to disappear behind the horizon when she realized the lateness in the day. “Oh, heavens.” She pulled her horse to a stop. “Do you realize what time it is?”

“Not until now,” he replied.

“How far away are we from your uncle’s estate?”

Gabe chuckled. “Far enough away for me to know we will not be able to get home before dark.”

The mere idea of them alone together in the moonlight made her panic. After all, she was a lady and had been taught the importance of decorum. “Whatever shall we do?”

He remained silent as she surveyed their surroundings. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe there’s another village just west of here that will have an inn for us to lodge.”

“And what if you are mistaken?”

He chuckled and met her stare. “Then we will sleep underneath the stars.”

Just thinking about being with him alone out here in their night-filled wonderland had her smiling. Tilting her head back, she gazed up at the sky to see if that was a possibility...praying that it was. When she didn’t see any stars, she frowned. “What stars? All I see are clouds.”

He too looked up, and he grumbled. “Drat! I did not think it would rain on us or I would not have taken us this far away from home.” His gaze met hers. “See what being with you does to me? I can’t think.” He laughed.

Her heart flipped, but knowing Gabe, he was probably just being humorous. “Will we be able to make it to the next village before it starts to rain?”

He watched the clouds for a moment. She glanced up at the sky again. Within seconds, the gray clouds thickened, the sky became darker. Even the air cooled quickly.

“I suppose we will, but just barely, and only if we hurry.”

“Then let’s be off. We have no time to waste.” She kicked her heels into the mare and took off in the direction he had pointed to, praying they would not get caught in the storm. What would they do then?
 
She dared not think of how he’d help her to stay warm.

* * * *

Emiline huddled closer to the horse for warmth as the sheeting rain fell in buckets around her, soaking her clothes. The rain came earlier than expected, and as she and Gabe searched through the small village for a place to stay, the town seemed too busy closing their shops for the night to help the two weary—and drenched—strangers.

As they passed through the muddy streets, the chance of finding a place to stay seemed bleak. Desperation fell over Emiline, and she would take anything, even a stable, just to get out of the rain. Glancing at Gabe, his droopy expression let her know he felt the same hopelessness.

The next man they came across, Gabe urged his horse in the stranger’s direction. “Hold up there, if you will.” When the man stopped and turned, Gabe stopped the animal. “I’m looking for a place of lodging. Is there one close by?”

The man bundled his coat around his body and shook his head. “Nay, Sir. Our town is too small.”

Tears pricked Emiline’s eyes…or was it the rain doing that? Nevertheless, she wanted to get out of the cold and find shelter soon, or she would indeed start crying—or freeze to death.

“However,” the stranger continued, “an older widow woman just up the lane is very generous and has a large house. I’m certain she will let you stay there for the night.”

“I thank you for your assistance,” Gabe said before tossing the man a coin.

The man’s eyes widened before he smiled up at Gabe. “God bless you.”

Hope grew in Emiline’s chest as she followed behind Gabe. Just as the man suggested, at the end of the lane, a large house sat up on a hill. She urged her mount faster until both she and Gabe reached the place. A few windows glowed with welcoming light. After Gabe dismounted and helped her down, he quickly put the horses in the barn. He grabbed Emiline’s hand and they ran toward the house.

He knocked and within minutes, a short heavyset old woman with a white cap covering most of her gray hair answered the door. She held up her lamp to see them better in the dark.

“Please forgive us for bothering you this evening, Mistress,” Gabe began, “we were just passing through town and were caught in the storm. We were informed you might have an extra room for us to stay the night. I would be willing to pay.”

The old woman’s eyes scanned both Emiline and Gabe before her expression softened and she smiled. “Oh yes, young’uns. Do come in and warm yourself by the fire.” She motioned them toward the fireplace.

Still holding Emiline’s hand, he led them inside and to the fireplace. Her body shook as she rubbed her hands together, praying to feel the warmth quickly.

Leaving their side for a moment, the older woman moved to a cupboard and pulled out two woolen blankets. “People around these parts call me Georgia,” she said, handing each one blanket.

“I thank you, Georgia. My name is Gabriel Lawrence and this is Emiline.”

All Emiline could do was nod at the woman in appreciation as she wrapped the dry blanket around her wet body. Unfortunately, shivers took over her, making her unable to speak due to her chattering teeth. She couldn’t ever remember being this cold in her life.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. What, may I ask, were you two doing out in the rain?”

Gabe chuckled lightly. “We had been out riding and didn’t notice the day slipping by. We also did not realize the rain clouds were moving in. I thought this village had an inn where we could stay the night.”

Georgia shook her head. “You poor souls. Let me leave you two for a moment and prepare a room. You are probably freezing in those wet clothes and you will need to change before catching your deaths.” She turned and hurried up the stairs.

Emmie moved even closer to the fire, staring down into the orange flames. Gradually, the feeling returned in her limbs, but it wasn’t quick enough to suit her. Gabe stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. She turned to face him as he gathered her against his body, his hands sliding up and down her arms and over her back, trying to get her warm. Although he was wet, too, she had no desire to move away or tell him how improper this was. His body’s heat blended into her limbs quickly.

“I apologize for this. I had not planned on the weather turning bad.”

Tilting her head, she looked at him. “I under...stand. You...did not... know.” Her teeth continued to chatter.

“I feel guilty because I know you are not used to the weather over here.”

She managed a small smile. “At least...you got us...out of the...rain.”

As his hands continued to move up and down her arms, coziness settled over her and she wanted to close her eyes and enjoy.