Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) (22 page)

“But what else can I believe?” She rested her palm on his arm. “Gabe, will you tell me what you know about this pirate?”

His breath caught in his throat and his blood froze. “You think I should know something?”

“Well, I did hear a rumor not long after Lady Sarah and I arrived here, that Mr. Hampton was related to the pirate, Captain Hawk.” She licked her lips. “And if he is related, than surely
you
must know him as well.”

Gabe didn’t know what bothered him more, the rumors or that someone had known Gabe’s true identity or that there might be a spy in the family. Although he didn’t want to lie to Emmie, neither could he confess the truth. Not yet. “If I’m related to this pirate, this is the first I have heard about it.”

A heavy sigh escaped her and she brought her hand back to her lap. “Then perhaps the rumor was false.”

“Perhaps. You know how rumors can get out of hand. The fact that a pirate attacked a passenger ship tells me this rumor is indeed, false since this particular pirate wasn’t known to do such things.”

“I’m sure you are correct.” She sighed again and smiled at him. “I’m most appreciative of your knowledge.”

Glancing back at her, he winked. “Anytime, Princess.”

She chuckled and shook her head. Once again, his focus turned to the lovely vision beside him. He skimmed her enchanting face, resting on her mouth. His own mouth watered, remembering the way her lips had tasted when he had kissed her. Shaking himself out of the wicked thoughts, he quickly diverted his eyes to the road. In order to keep her in a pleasant mood—and her thoughts away from Captain Hawk—Gabe must change their conversation.

“You know, Emmie, I get the impression that you are actually enjoying looking so lovely today. Am I correct?”

She laughed lightly, removing her hand from off his arm. “What I enjoy is the way you look at me. You look at me as if I was a real princess, and that makes me giddy.”

He chuckled. “I suppose it is fun to be treated differently, is it not?”

“Indeed, it is. Would you like me to treat you differently, also?”

“Pray tell, how would you treat me?”

She leaned toward him and touched his arm again. “I would treat you like a king.”

“A king?” He laughed out loud. “Not if I’m treating you like a princess. That would mean you would be my daughter.” He scrunched his face, making her laugh. “Why not treat me like I’m a duke or even an earl?

She shrugged. “Either one will work, I suppose. You are truly a gentleman.”

“Such kind words, Princess.”

“You know, I have changed my mind. You are more like a King…and you can treat me like a Queen instead of a Princess.”

“If I do that, then instead of you being a daughter, you would be...” Laughter quickly disappeared when he realized where his thoughts were leading. He swallowed hard and stared deeply into her eyes. “My wife,” he ended softly.

She too, became serious. Her body remained so close to his, and the heat between them grew more powerful by the second. Why did he like the idea of her becoming his wife? Although she was a mere lady’s companion, Emiline came from a fine family—apparent by the wonderful kind grandmother they had met. Besides that, Emmie could pass for a real lady, as she did today.

He continued to stare, not caring that the horses had stopped. He couldn’t look away. Her eyes were so soft and filled with desire. His heartbeat pounded a quick rhythm, and he loved the way happiness flowed through his blood.

He shouldn’t have made that bet with her yesterday. If she had remained in those ugly, plain dresses, perhaps he wouldn’t feel so dumbfounded right now. Then again... She actually took his breath away no matter what she wore.

He dropped his gaze to her mouth. She ran her tongue across her sultry, wine-colored lips, and he wanted nothing more than to taste the sweetness he had found this morning.

“Gabe?” she whispered.

“What?”

“We have stopped.”

It took all of his effort, but he snapped out of his dreamlike state of confusion. “I suppose we have.” Pulling away from her, he sat up straighter, and then flicked the reins to urge the horses to move forward, again.

Heaviness settled in his chest as he stared straight ahead. He wanted to kiss her so much it hurt. Why did his feelings confuse him so?

They didn’t talk much during their ride back, and if they did, nothing personal was brought up. Gabe talked a little about his life, without mentioning his true identity. She talked about growing up with a sickly mother and a father who was always busy doing other things than to spend much time with his daughter.

They stayed on neutral ground.

Dusk sprinkled across the sky when they arrived at his uncle’s house. Instead of taking the buggy around to the stables as he would have done with the
old
Emiline, he stopped in front of the house. He jumped down first, then turned and helped her out. He wanted to pull her against him, wrap his arms around her and never let her go. Once she walked in through that doorway, his fantasy would end.

She stepped away and broke the contact. “Gabe, I had a wonderful two days with you. The best two days of my life, in fact. I thank you so much.”

He smiled into her angelic face. “I had a splendid time, as well. I’m glad you were able to find your grandmother.”

“Thanks to you.” She touched his hand, and he quickly grasped her fingers. “Will you still help me find my mother?”

“Yes. I told you I would, and I always keep my promises.”

“I thank you again.” She stepped closer, then up on her toes to press a kiss on his cheek.

Gabe turned his face so her lips would meet with his as he slid his arms around her waist, holding her tight to his body. Heat ignited in his chest, and he didn’t want to pull away. Apparently, she had other thoughts because she broke the kiss and stepped out of his embrace. Her face darkened a deep blush.

“Good night, Gabe.”

“Good night, my princess.”

She smiled. “You know, I don’t expect you to carry out the wager for the whole week. It has been enough that you treated me like a princess for a whole day, but you need not continue it. I’m quite certain it was difficult enough for you, and because of that, I will not hold you to our wager.”

He caressed cheek with his knuckles as he gazed into her twinkling eyes. “What if I want to continue?”

“Just know you don’t have to.”

“Are you trying to tell me you do not want to wear pretty dresses any longer?”

“No. I just don’t have that many gowns to wear as Lady Sarah’s companion. I have not made it to see a dressmaker yet. But rest assured, it has been rather fun feeling pretty today.”

He shook his head. “Emiline, you are not just pretty, you are resplendent. And it was not hard for me to treat you as such, especially since you look so very lovely in the gown your grandmother gave you.” He raked his gaze over her dress once again, wishing it didn’t make her womanly figure so flattering. “You were definitely made to wear gowns like this. Not plain dresses only fit for old lady’s companions.”

The sultry look in her eyes had him spellbound. Her eyes had always made him this way. He liked the way she looked upon him as if he were the most gallant man in the world.

At that moment, the front door swung open and his uncle and aunt stood on the other side. The passionate mood quickly disappeared.

“You are back!” Henry cheered as he stepped outside and gave Emiline a hug. “Oh child, we thought something horrid had happened to you.”

Gabe narrowed his gaze on his uncle. Why was he acting this way toward Miss Emmie? From over his uncle’s shoulder, Emiline looked at him with confusion in her eyes. Aunt Martha stood in back of Henry clasping her hands against her middle, her eyes moist and appearing as if she was ready to cry.

Very strange behavior from both of them.

“Uncle? Is something amiss?” Gabe asked.

Henry quickly stepped back. “Uh, well...when we returned home earlier, our servants said five men came looking for something we had that they wanted.” He shook his head. “It was not until Levi heard one of the men say Lady Sarah’s name when he realized what they wanted, and when we returned home and saw you were gone…” He paused, looking at Emiline as he laid a hand over his heart. “I thought those men might have taken you.”

“Uncle, did the stable boy not tell you she was with me?” Gabe wondered. “He was the only one to see us together.”

Henry rolled his eyes. “Levi did not know who was with you, Gabriel.”

Emiline hung her head, wringing her hands against her middle. “Forgive me, Mr. Hampton. I didn’t mean to upset you. We had gone riding and lost track of time, and –”

“Emiline?” Gabe interrupted her, and she looked up at him. “I shall explain things to my uncle. You hurry upstairs and let Lady Sarah know that you are all right. She’s probably worried sick.”

Henry nodded. “Oh, yes. She’s very worried.”

“Excuse me then. Good night, gentlemen.” She curtsied then entered the house.

Gabe couldn’t take his eyes of her as she gracefully floated into the main hall and up the stairs. He took a deep breath, calming himself from the passionate moment they had shared not too long ago. He expected tonight would be miserable until he could see her again. Yet, his conscience dictated he couldn’t act this way around her. His life was too complicated as it was, and bringing a woman into his world would only bring heartache.

Henry shook his head and chuckled. “The girl certainly looks different wearing that fancy gown. It’s almost as if she was supposed to wear that instead of the servant’s attire.”

Gabe nodded, relieved they shared the same opinion. “I agree, Uncle.”

Henry turned to him. “Now, Gabe, would you kindly inform me what is going on? Where were you the past two days, and why did you take...that
er
…that particular woman with you?”

“Come inside, Uncle. Let’s adjourn to your study where we can discuss this matter in private.” Walking into the house, Gabe headed straight to the study, then to the liquor tray and poured himself some brandy.

Henry and Martha followed and shut the door behind them. His uncle folded his arms across his chest and glared. “We are here, so please explain what’s going on between the two of you?”

Luckily Henry hadn’t asked Gabe to explain his feelings for the young woman, because he still had mixed emotions about her. Confusion had been his constant companion for two days, along with pure enjoyment. All he knew was that Emiline entranced him, and the longer they were together, the more his attraction grew.

“Yesterday morning I was about to take a refreshing ride around the countryside when I happened across Emiline doing the same. I suggested we ride together, only because it would keep us both entertained.” He paused, sipping his drink. “She had been extremely disappointed because
dear Rebecca
made it clear that she didn’t want Miss Emmie traveling to Manchester with Lady Sarah. Seeing how Emiline was a guest at your house just as Lady Sarah, I can imagine her disappointment.” He directed that harsh comment to his aunt.