Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (4 page)

“Nonsense. I’m very adept. I think you should allow me to assist.” Emmie lifted her chin, challenging the man.

Shrugging, he walked to the coach. “Suit yourself. My uncle taught me never to argue with a woman.”

“Wise man.” She chuckled.

Emmie hurried to the handsome stranger, admiring the way he looked in that beige shirt once he’d removed his neck cloth. His throat muscles captured her attention first, then the way the material hung on his wide shoulders and tapered down his broad chest to tuck into his breeches. Although it was most improper to admire the way he looked so masculine in his clothes, it was hard to stop.

She wanted to wave her hand in front of her face to cool herself from such wicked thoughts, but then he looked over his shoulder at her and smiled, which nearly melted her legs right from underneath her.

“If this is too much for you Miss Emmie, please don’t push yourself. I would hate for you to get injured.”

She wanted to chuckle at his remark. Little did people know, Emmie did things a duke’s daughter should not do—and her father had scolded her several times in the past year because of her stubbornness. She rather liked being her own woman. “I assure you, I know my limits.”

He nodded, turned and grabbed a section of the vehicle. Together the three of them lifted, pushed, and set the coach aright. Immediately, Emmie studied the space where the overturned vehicle had lain. Thankfully, her driver had not been trapped underneath. Yet the thought still remained…where had he gone?

The nice man placed his hands on each wheel, pulling to assure they still were in working order. His driver had found where the horses had wandered off, brought them back and hitched them up. Then the two men lugged their trunks up the hill and lashed them back to the vehicle.

“It appears everything is in working condition, except for the broken door.”

“We shall drive without a door, then.” Emmie smiled.

The handsome stranger stepped to Anna and offered his hand. “My lady, let me help you back into your coach. I shall have my driver take you to Mr. and Mrs. Hampton’s estate.”

“What about you?” Emiline asked. After all, he was a gentleman of means, she was certain, so didn’t he need a driver?

He glanced her way for a second before leading Anna to the coach. “I shall have no problems driving my own vehicle, thank you.”

“Oh, Sir…what about our driver?” Emiline shook her head. “I did not see him anywhere. He could not possibly have been thrown so far from the coach, could he?”

He glanced at her over his shoulder. “If you wait here, I shall go up the road a bit and try to locate him.”

“Would you like me to help?” Emmie offered.

The man shook his head. “I fear if he’s lying broken or bleeding, that’s not the sight a young lady needs to see. Wait right here.”

As the man hustled up the road, Anna clutched
Emmie’s
hands. Both of them had been through so much within the past little while, and Emmie prayed the Good Samaritan would find their driver. During their wait, the man’s driver tried to fix the broken door to their carriage, but there wasn’t much he could do. Nevertheless, they could travel without a door, just as long as they didn’t have much further to go. The driver also brought the trunks back to the coach and fastened them on.

Soon the helpful stranger returned. A frown marred his handsome face and he shook his head. “I could not see him. When I return to town, I shall summon the authorities and have this investigated posthaste.”

Sighing, Emmie nodded. “You are extremely kind, Sir. I thank you for taking the time to look, anyway.”

He helped Anna inside the coach and she offered a shy smile to the man. “I thank you, Sir.”

Emiline bit her lip to keep from grinning. Her maid was certainly acting out of character. Usually her servant flirted outrageously with handsome men. Perhaps Anna was thinking about her new role and remembering a duke’s daughter wouldn’t be so bold...even though sometimes Emmie was.

She walked to the door, waiting for him to step aside so she could climb in. “Pardon me, but what is your name? How do you know Mr. and Mrs. Hampton?”

“Most everyone around these parts knows of Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. They own a large piece of land and live in a beautiful manor.”

“You did not tell me your name.”

“I’m Gabriel Lawrence.”

She smiled. “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lawrence. We certainly appreciate your assistance.”

He took her hand and helped her inside. After the man walked back to his vehicle, Emmie looked at her maid and sighed with relief. So far it had worked. She wouldn’t believe it any other way.

Anna shook her head. “Lady Sarah, I really don’t know what your father was thinking to have us switch roles.” She spoke low. “I feel as if I have to think about every word before I say it.”

Emmie arched an eyebrow. “But Anna, you told my father you could play this role without any instruction.”

A blush stole across the maid’s cheeks. “Well, perhaps I didn’t know what I was saying. Thinking and
doing
are entirely two different things.”

Emmie chuckled. “Indeed they are. But you are doing fine.” She nudged her maid’s arm. “Besides, you look more like a duke’s daughter than I ever did.”

“No, I don’t.” Anna shook her head. “I bet you are glad you made me wear this fancy traveling dress. Otherwise, Mr. Lawrence may have been suspicious.”

“Indeed, I’m very grateful. I knew we would reach Mr. and Mrs. Hampton’s house today, and now we won’t have to worry about first appearances.” She patted Anna’s clasped hands. “No need to fret. Nobody will know the difference.”

“As long as you believe in me, I think I can do this.”

“I do believe in you.”

The clip-clop from the horse’s hooves and the swaying of the vehicle lulled Emmie, causing her eyes to droop. Yet her mind wouldn’t sleep. Many ideas swam in her head, and excitement danced in her body, keeping her awake.

Originally, she had abhorred her father’s plan. But now…

She wanted to accomplish so much without the restrictions of being a duke’s daughter hanging over her. She would finally get to ride through the countryside without one of her father’s servants escorting her. She could talk the way she wanted, and pretty much do whatever she wanted without seeing her father’s scowl or hearing his raised voice when he scolded her for being hard-headed and having her own mind.

How would it be if a man could look at her as a woman and not as a wealthy lady? Plenty of men vowed their loyalty and love to her, but none she believed. How could she when she knew it was her dowry they were after?

Closing her eyes, she leaned back on the seat. A man’s face appeared in her mind, and she smiled.
Mr. Lawrence.
Would she ever meet him again? Although he rode in the coach of someone who had money—and a title—he certainly didn’t act like he was used to being waited on. When he volunteered to help turn over their vehicle, then said he’d drive the coach himself, Emiline was certain he didn’t hold a title.

When the coach slowed and surprised voices rang out, Emiline snapped her eyes open and peeked out of the broken door. The old trees lining the drive appeared as if they had been tended with care throughout the years, as had the acreage of manicured lawns rolling out as far as she could see. She gasped in awe of its beauty. When a house came into view, she gazed upon the two-story artwork that looked to be a cross between Gothic and Tudor styles. This, she was informed, was where the Hampton family liked to spend their off season.

As the vehicle came to a stop, the front door to the house opened and an older gentleman, tall, stocky with thinning brown hair hustled out. Not far behind him came a woman about the same age, tall and thin, wearing a lovely blue gown. She adjusted her bonnet as she aimed her gaze at the coach.

Emmie smiled. This must be her father’s friends, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton.

Anna stirred on the seat, stretched and yawned. “Have we arrived?”

“Indeed we have, Lady Sarah.”

Anna rubbed her eyes then blinked as she looked at Emiline. “Do you know how hard it is going to be for me to answer to that name?”

“You shall do fine. Just remember to call me Miss Emmie.”

As the driver hopped down, Emiline prepared herself for a new adventure. Freedom from London society’s rules were in her grasp. At least for a little while, and she planned on taking advantage of a perfect opportunity.

* * * *

Gabe submerged his body fully into the pond. Holding his breath, he hoped the water would not take away his new hair color. The old widow, Mrs. Baker, changed the color of his hair to brown and even gave him a cut. Gratefully, he had walked out of her house looking a new man. Now if he could just keep away from large crowds, all would be well in his world. At least for a few months. He prayed things would get back to normal soon after that.

During his much-needed break, he didn’t want to think about the problems in his life. He didn’t want to have to constantly look over his shoulder and wonder who is a spy—and especially who might know that he was a member of
The Sons of Liberty.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t relax now. Not since he knew the niece of Oliver Townshend was visiting the Hamptons.

Before the air ran out of his lungs, he rose up out of the water and breathed deeply. He swiped his fingers through his hair, pushing the strands back on his head out of his eyes. Wiping the excess water from his face, he blinked and focused on his surroundings. His uncle’s country estate was the perfect place for his sanctuary, and during the next few weeks, he’d take advantage of what the property had to offer...which at the moment was peace and solitude.

Sometime while he was here, he’d also get to know Lady Sarah a little better as well. He couldn’t really blame her for what her foolish uncle had done, but he would definitely become close to her to see if her uncle had any more ridiculous laws he wanted the King to approve.

Taking the brick of soap, he scrubbed it over his face. Within seconds, his eyes began to sting. He cursed, tossed the soap on the grass then splashed water on his face, but his eyes still stung and blurred.

The rustle of bushes and snaps of twigs pulled his thoughts away and he swung around to face the intruder. Ready to give them a sound thrashing, he scowled when his vision didn’t quite cooperate. Through his impaired vision, it looked like someone was peeking through the bushes.

The burning sensation in his eyes only intensified. “Please, I need your help. If you will, I need you to bring me that towel over there.”

When the person didn’t move but continued to stare, irritation flowed through Gabe. “Are you going to stand and ogle my body or can you hand me that towel?” He pointed to the rock where he’d left the towel.

Finally, the person moved from out from the bushes, heading for the rock. Gabe splashed his eyes with water again and rubbed them harder.