Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (11 page)

“
Mr.
Lawrence?” Her voice squeaked high in panic. “What—what—are you doing here?”

Her gaze combed slowly over him. Desire flowed through him from her adorable expression. May the devil take him, but he liked seeing her all flustered. Her red cheeks made her brown eyes darker.

Wetting his dry lips, he exhaled through his nose, trying to remove the indescribable feelings pumping through his blood. What was wrong with him?

He shook himself out of the trance she’d put him under. “Good day, Miss Emmie. I was just passing by when I heard someone in the pond. I took it upon myself as the nephew of this estate to see if there was perhaps an intruder on my uncle’s lands.”

“Well, now that you see I’m not an intruder, will you be so kind as to leave me to my privacy? It is
not
proper for you to be watching me bathe.”

“And when you watched me bathe the other day, was that any different?” He shook his head. “I think not, my dear.”

“That’s neither here nor there.” Her cheeks reddened even more, if that was at all possible. “Please, Mr. Lawrence, leave me to my privacy.”

He grinned, deciding this was the perfect moment to start teasing. “Actually,” he began as his fingers moved up and started loosening his neck cloth. “I thought I might join you. The weather has been warm today, and I was in the mood for a swim.” He stepped toward the water.

“No!” She moved back further. “Please,
Mr.
Lawrence, do as I say and leave.”

He’d removed his neck cloth quickly and his shirt hung open at his throat before he stepped near the edge of the pond. As much as the idea of sharing the pool with her sounded most entertaining right now, he was really only teasing. Now if his heart would quit hammering from the pleasure he received from just watching her, he’d be able to think rationally.

“Are you certain you would not enjoy some company?” he asked.

She shook her head, and once again, her gaze moved over his chest, resting momentarily on his exposed throat. “Yes, I’m most certain.”

He sighed heavily and shrugged. It pleased him to see that her innocent gaze couldn’t stay off him.

“Can I help you out?” He looked around the area where her clothes were located. “I think you will need a towel, but I don’t see one.”

“I—I—I will be fine,
Mr.
Lawrence. I assure you.”

He looked back at her and grinned. “I gather you have never shared a bath with a man.”

A deeper blush covered her face, verifying his curiosity. Her reaction was everything he thought it would be, and he wouldn’t have traded it for all the money in the world—or the bloody title of an Earl. The look on her face was priceless. He loved the fact that he could make her respond in such a way.

“
Mr.
Lawrence, I don’t believe it’s any of your business, but no, I have
never
shared a bath with a man.”

“I don’t suppose you would want to start your first experience now?”

“I would not,” she said pertly.

“Is there any way I can convince you? I assure you, I will show you a most enjoyable time.”

“My answer is still no.”

“Then alas, my work here is of no avail. I suppose I shall have to leave now. Have a pleasant bath, Miss Emmie.” He smiled, gave her a small wink before turning and leaving the woods.

Slowly he made his way to his horse, thinking the whole time that maybe he should go back and spy on her. No, that wasn’t like him. After all, he was a gentleman, even though sometimes he didn’t act like one around Miss Emmie. Why did he allow her to bring out his wild, rebellious side?

As he mounted his horse and rode off for the house, he realized that today’s run-in with Miss Emmie, brief as it was, certainly brightened his day.

* * * *

“Gabriel? Would you come here for a moment?” Henry called as Gabe stepped outside through the side doors, preparing to head toward the stables.

He swore under his breath.
Not again!
It had been a few days since he’d talked to his uncle in the study. Gabe didn’t want to have to rehash the same words.

Hesitantly, he turned away from the stables and made his way to the green patch of lawn where his aunt, uncle, and cousin stood with Lady Sarah playing Trundling Hoop and Roll. Henry looked dashing in his red coat covering a golden shirt, and matching red breeches. Indeed, he looked as if he was headed to a political meeting instead of playing outdoor games with his family.

Aunt Martha always dressed proper in her silver and white gown with white neck lace kerchief covering her neck and shoulders. Rebecca was dressed similar to her mother, just without the neck lace kerchief, and her sleeves were not as long. To be sure, Rebecca appeared most wanton in her attire, and Gabe pitied the man who married his cousin.

By far, Lady Sarah’s gown was of a more expensive cut, and almost fit her too tight. She wore the neck lace kerchief, yet he could tell it didn’t do her justice because it didn’t hide how her bosom almost spilled over the top of her bodice.

He walked toward his uncle who came his way. “What can I do for you, Uncle?”

“I thought you would like to play a game with us. Lady Sarah mentioned she had learned a new game that expands on Trundling Hoop and Roll, but she doesn’t quite remember how to play.” Henry ran his fingers through his salt and pepper colored hair and gave Gabe a crooked smile. “With you traveling so much, I was hoping you had learned this game as well.”

Gabe moved to the little group, stopping beside the duke’s daughter. “Good day, Lady Sarah,” he greeted with a smile and a bow.

“And a good day to you,
Mr.
Lawrence.” She curtsied.

“My uncle tells me you are having a problem remembering the game.”

She laughed lightly. “I must admit, I cannot recall exactly how to play, but it was very enjoyable.”

“Do you remember who you have played this game with?”

She nodded. “Actually, yes. I was with Emiline…
er
, I mean Miss Emmie and she taught me…um…”

She stopped abruptly as if she had said something wrong. Gabe was happy to learn the companion’s full name—although Emmie suited her much better for some reason. All eyes turned toward Lady Sarah, waiting for her to finish her story.

Gabe’s cousin, Rebecca, snorted a rude laugh. “Your companion taught you how to play? Are you saying this game is a
servant’s
game?”

“Uh, well...yes, she did teach me, however I do not think it’s a servant’s game. It was a couple of years ago, but she tried to teach me how to play. It was so much fun.” She frowned. “It is most unfortunate she’s not here right now. Perhaps she would do a better job of teaching it to us.”

Gabe slapped his hands together and laughed. “I think that’s a splendid idea.” Everyone swung their head toward him, and their eyes widened as well. “Lady Sarah? Where is Miss Emmie? I shall fetch her at once and bring her into the game.” Suddenly, the idea of having to play this insipid game didn’t seem as boring.

Henry held up his hand. “Oh, but Gabriel, I don’t think—”

“But Uncle, it’s a perfect suggestion. As it stands right now, I’m the odd man. If we bring Lady Sarah’s companion into the game, it will make our game even with players.”

As he stepped away to search for Emiline, he heard his cousin huff. “Father, I don’t think this game needs teams.”

Henry grumbled irritably. “It doesn’t.”

Gabe chuckled, but hurried before someone tried to stop him. He only had to ask two of his uncle’s servants before finding Miss
Emmie’s
whereabouts. It surprised him to think she was spending time in the library. But then, he was certain that most ladies’ companions were bored easily.

When he stepped into the library, he spotted her immediately. Today she wore an ugly brown dress—so very drab and did not suit her at all. And, as before, it practically hung on petite frame. Apparently, she hadn’t made it into town to visit a dressmaker.

She sat curled on the couch with her legs tucked underneath her, shoes gone from her feet and laying haphazardly on the floor. Miss Emmie looked deeply engrossed in a book, and guilt overrode his emotions. He couldn’t believe he was going to interrupt her private time just so
his
day could be more enjoyable. She made such a lovely picture all cozy on the couch, wearing a serious, but pleasant expression. He liked the soft color in her eyes, and the way her lips parted slightly.

He stepped closer and cleared his throat. “Good day, Miss Emmie.”

Her head snapped up and she rested the book against her bosom. He was suddenly jealous of the object so close to her heart.

“Good day,
Mr.
Lawrence.” She scrambled to her feet, the book now resting where her bottom had been only moments before. “Forgive me for reading, but I was caught up with my duties, and I…um, well, I—”

“Miss Emmie,” he interrupted her. “It’s all right.

“Is there something Lady Sarah needs right now?”

“I’m not sure about Lady Sarah, but I need you.” Had his voice really deepened just now? Heavens, why had he said it
that
way? Her cheeks reddened and her eyes widened. Although he loved teasing her, he decided he’d better tell her why he sought her out. “My family requests the pleasure of your company in a game they are playing out on the back lawn.”

Her eyes blinked slowly. “They do? Why?”

“Lady Sarah inadvertently let it slip that you taught her how to play a more entertaining game of Trundling Hoop and Roll. Can this be true?”

Emmie stared at him for the longest time, her chest rising and falling in a fast beat. “It is true.”

“Then you know the game well?”

“Yes.”

“So, you wouldn’t mind playing with me...um, I mean, us?”

“Are you certain your family requested my presence?”

“They will be delighted to have your company.”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded and slipped on her shoes. Gabe remained standing where he was until she finished, then he held out his elbow for her to take. “May I escort you outside, then?”

She looked him directly in the eyes before her gaze slipped to his mouth. A blush stole across her and she quickly looked away. “
Mr.
Lawrence, you don’t need to escort me as if I were a lady of nobility. In case you have forgotten, I’m her companion—just one of Lady Sarah’s poor relatives who needed employment.”

Actually, he had forgotten, although right now, he didn’t know why. Nonetheless, he wanted her touch on his arm. He wanted her so close he could inhale her sweet fragrance of roses—the same fragrance he had smelled that night they kissed.