Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (28 page)

“What do you want with me,” Gabe asked with a growl.

“
Nothin
’, Sir. I don’t even know
ye
.” He struggled to get away.

“If you do not know me, then why are you following me?”

The man gulped noisily. “I’m…uh, I’m not, Sir.”

The man continued pulling at Gabe’s arms, trying to free himself. “Then what reason do you have coming up this alley?” Gave tightened his fingers around the man’s arms.

“I, uh…well, Sir, you see…”

“Gabriel? Where are you?”

Hearing his uncle’s call, startled Gabe enough to loosen his grip. The man took the opportunity to kick Gabe’s shin. When he let go, the man took off back down the alley toward the street, bumping into to Henry. Gabe shot off after the stranger, but the pain in his shin kept him from running fast. When he reached his surprised uncle, Gabe stopped.

“What in the blazes was that all about?”

“I wish I knew.” Gabe bent and rubbed the bruise on his shin. “That man was following me, which is why I went up the alley. Before I could get anything out of him, you called.”

Henry frowned. “Why was he following you?”

“Once again, Uncle, that’s something I wish I knew.” Grumbling under his breath, he stood and met his uncle’s worried gaze. “What is it that you want?”

“Well, you left in such a rush, I could not understand what was wrong.”

“Forgive me, Uncle. I felt as if someone was watching us. I left to see if that person would follow,” he said, not quite telling the whole truth. He limped back toward the inn as his uncle walked beside him.

“Did he look familiar to you?”

“No. Did he look familiar to you?”

“Not at all.” Henry shook his head.

“Well, hopefully it was just some man waiting to rob me.”

Henry gasped as he slowed his steps. “
Hopefully
? Do you mean you wanted it to be worse?”

“No, Uncle. I’m hoping it was not someone who had anything to do with Lady Sarah or Miss Emmie.”

“Oh, I understand now.” He lifted his chin and walked faster. “Well, I had not planned on taking Lady Sarah to any social gatherings.”

“Good.”

“However, Mr. Phillips has invited me and my family to his dinner party tonight.”

It was Gabe’s turn to stop. “What did you tell him?” He glared, hoping he didn’t have to argue with his uncle out here in front of everyone.

“I told him we would be delighted.”

Gabe’s mind quickly started planning. He would not go with his uncle to this dinner. However…this was the very excuse Gabe needed to help Emmie find her mother. He would act as his uncle’s driver, and hopefully nobody would notice that Emmie came along as the footman. This opportunity would give her the chance to look for her mother. If this party didn’t give them what they’d hoped for, Gabe would attend the next party his uncle was invited to if only to ask questions about
Emmie’s
mother’s location.

 
“Well,” Gabe answered, “
we
will not be delighted to attend Mr. Phillips’ dinner. You, Aunt Martha, and Rebecca can go, but I cannot.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have other plans.”

“Like what?”

Gabe folded his arms. “Do you recall when I mentioned I was going to have my crew meet me here?”

“I do.”

“That’s what I’m doing this evening. However, to keep my disguise and not draw undo attention to myself, I need to act as your driver when you attend this gathering with Mr. Phillips.”

“Are you jesting?” Henry’s eyes widened.

“Not at all. People will not care about a servant meeting in secret with other men.”

Henry shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“Well, this is what I need to do. Will you help me without saying anything to Aunt Martha or Rebecca?”

“Indeed, I shall help you, my boy.”

“I thank you, Uncle. Your silence will assist me immensely.”

Excitement built in Gabe’s chest, making him impatient to get back to the inn to tell Emmie. He clasped his hands behind him and rocked back and forth on his heels. So perhaps he was a little impatient and couldn’t exactly hide it. Then again, this was the very thing needed to be alone with her. The anticipation was almost too much to bear.

* * * *

Emmie pulled her hat lower on her forehead, for fear one of Gabe’s family would recognize her sitting on top of the carriage. She waited while he helped his uncle, aunt, and cousin in the vehicle before he climbed on top and sitting next to her.

He smiled at her and winked. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am,” she said softly, not knowing if his family would be able to hear their conversation inside the carriage. “But I’m more nervous than anything.”

“Well, if it makes a difference, you look perfect for the part of footman.” He tapped her leg.

She chuckled and shook her head. “I cannot believe you would admit that.”

“Me, either.”

“Thank you for finding me these clothes.”

“You are most welcome.”

He flicked the horse’s reins and their small journey began.

She folded her hands and rested them in her lap, but the jerky movements of the carriage had her bumping into Gabe much too often, and sometimes she didn’t know if she would fall off or not. Finally, he glanced down at her. “Hold on to my arm.”

Nodding, she did as he asked—then wished she hadn’t. How could she have forgotten his strong muscles? He was built so perfectly, she feared she would not want to release him once they arrived at the party. Still, it was rather nice to sit so close and hold him in such a way. It reminded her of when they came back from her grandmother’s house.

“Gabe?”

He glanced down at her. “Yes, my lady.”

She giggled and shook her head. “You don’t need to call me that anymore.”

“Why? Our wager was for a whole week.”

“I know, but because I cannot dress the way you had asked for our wage, I don’t think we should continue it.”

“But it was so enjoyable, I don’t want to stop playing.”

“You are incorrigible.” She smiled.

“Thank you for that compliment.”

She nearly spit out a laugh. “But what I wanted to ask was…well, do you think I will see my mother tonight?”

“My dear Emmie, I wish your dreams will come true tonight, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. I don’t know Mr. Phillips, so I cannot tell you what kind of people he will have at his dinner party. However, since your mother is a companion of Mrs. Estelle Winterbourne, we first need to know if the old widow was invited. If not, we need to ask who knows this lady. Once we find this woman, we will find your mother.”

She frowned and sighed. “I don’t think it will be easy, but it’s so hard not to hope.”

“I understand.” He placed his hand over her fingers still clinging to his arm and squeezed tenderly. “If I could make this night special for you, I would.”

“You already have.” She smiled again.

When they came upon the house, she pulled away from Gabe, preparing herself for the role of footman. Once Gabe stopped the carriage, she jumped down and opened the door. Mr. Hampton was the first to exit the carriage. His gaze met hers briefly as he stepped to the ground, but within seconds, his head whipped around so fast she thought it might fall off. When he met her stare, his eyes widened in shock. Inwardly, she groaned.
He recognizes me!

Thankfully, he didn’t say anything, but he helped his wife and then his daughter out of the carriage. Emmie closed the door, then proceeded to climb back up. Gabe’s strong hand was there to assist. She grabbed on to it as he finished pulling her up. He then led the team of horses to the side of the house. After securing the brake, he jumped down then helped Emmie down.

“Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?”

“We are going to sneak around back and find a place to hide where we can watch the party, yet keep out of sight.”

Nodding, her smile stretched. She wanted to badly to take his hand, but other drivers were watching, so she didn’t want to go with her first instincts.

Once they rounded the house and were away from curious eyes, Gabe made the first move to hold her hand. Her heart hammered with excitement and she couldn’t stop herself from cuddling close to him as they sneaked around to find a place to hide. The tall hedges would provide the perfect spot. From their spot, they could still see inside the large windows at the gathering guests.

She studied each woman carefully, hoping to see a resemblance of what she remembered her mother had looked like, but so far nobody even met those qualifications. As each minute passed, her hopes dropped lower.

A warm hand rested on her back and drew small circles. She looked up into Gabe’s caring eyes.

“Don’t rush things. It will happen, just maybe not today.”

She nodded as tears stung her eyes. He turned her and pulled her into his embrace. She pressed her face against his chest, slowly breathing in his masculine scent of spice. Although she tried to fight the tears, they wanted to come anyway.

“Gabe, I know. I just never expected to see my mother again. And now that I’m so close—” Her voice choked up.

“
Shhh
… No need to explain. I understand.”

She lifted her head and gazed into the shadow of his eyes. “I’m so happy you are here with me.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Not as happy as I am to be with you right now.”

When his gaze dropped to her lips, her heart raced with anticipation. But after a few seconds and he didn’t kiss her, she rose on tip-toes and pressed her mouth to his. His arms tightened around her as he kissed her back with great urgency, slanting his mouth over hers to deepen the kiss.

Heavens, but she couldn’t help but love him at this moment in her life. He was such a kind, caring, and tender man. Right now, she never wanted this to end. She wanted to kiss him for the rest of her life.