Her chin wobbled as she attempted to smile. “Because he is terrible at reading maps. He won’t use the proper measurements between landmarks, nor will he decipher the correct calculations for geographic topography.”
Lucian’s thumb swiped across her lips. “How did he know where to look here, then?”
His touch distracted her from clear thoughts. What had he asked? Oh, yes. “I provided all the calculations.” She swallowed hard. “Although, I should have been here to make certain they were correct.” The thought of Sean and Jonah sneaking away without her still stung. “Now, I will have to start over with the new beginning coordinate.”
“Can Sorrington make those calculations?”
“No.”
“What about the three men he mentioned?”
She tried not to laugh. “Not even close.”
His brows rose as his thumb slid across her lips. “Anyone else, then?”
Emma shrugged a shoulder. “None I am aware of. Why do you ask this?”
When Lucian leaned forward, Emma closed her eyes, waiting, hoping he would kiss her. Her toes curled in her half-boots as anticipation built, making her skin tingle. “Because, minx, I am beginning to see how important you are,” he said, the warmth of his breath teasing her mouth.
She almost grabbed his coat and pulled him to her. A knock at the door had her eyes popping open. Lucian heaved a sigh and leaned back, running a hand through his hair and went for the door. “Who is there?” he asked.
“’Tis Samir, Lord Hartford.”
When Lucian opened the door, Emma rushed forward. “Samir, are you well?” She saw he wore a new turban, but the side of his face was a little swollen.
He clapped his hands together and gave a small bow. “I am well, nuurii. How are you?”
Emma motioned him inside. When Lucian shut the door, she told Samir all that had happened since they parted company the night before.
A storm gathered on Samir’s dark face as he listened. He shook his head when she finished speaking and turned to Lucian. “This is worse than I feared.”
“I had thought to send her to my cousin in London.” Lucian’s eyes cut to her. “But she refuses to go.”
Emma folded her arms. “The only place I am going is to find Sean.”
Samir blew out a breath. “I know well that look, piyaa.” He turned to Lucian. “When she has made up her mind, janaab, I am afraid there is no stopping her.”
With a grimace, Lucian nodded. “I am beginning to see what you mean.” He glanced around. “We had thought to send the coach back to Hartford.”
“Empty,” Emma added.
Samir rubbed his chin in thought a moment. “If she is to go in another direction, she will need a disguise.”
Emma grinned, liking that idea. She clapped her hands. “Yes, indeed.” Then her breath caught. “Remember the Sultan?”
A smile spread across Samir’s mouth, showing his white teeth. “I do.”
She nodded to the door. “Go, see what clothes you can find.”
With a chuckle, Samir left the room.
Lucian placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. “What was that about?”
Emma could not keep from smiling. “About five years ago, Father was asked to locate a cache of lost jewels for the Sultan Mahmud the Second. Sean had broken his ankle and could not go, but they would not allow a girl to assist Father.” She shrugged. “So, I dressed like Sean and helped father locate the jewels.”
Looking her up and down, Lucian shook his head. “I have no idea how you were able to fool them.”
She plopped her hands on her hips. “It was a very good disguise.” Then she had to add, “They thought I was a boy of ten.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t cut your hair, did you?”
“No.” Emma slid her hands down. “I kept it pinned beneath a hat the whole time. Was hot and itchy, I admit.” She walked to the bed and sat. “Luckily, Father found the jewels rather quickly. Three days, was all.”
Lucian sat beside her. “Three days? Where did you find them?”
She chuckled. “Was quite embarrassing for the Sultan. He didn’t lose them, nor were they stolen. Well, not by a human.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rats. They had chewed their way into his vault, taken some of the shiny rocks and hid them in the walls.” She slid Lucian a glance. “The Sultan became fond of cats after that.”
A slow smile spread across Lucian’s lips, making a dimple peek out at the corner of his mouth. “I imagine so.” Then he sobered and brushed her cheek with his fingers. “I am going to kiss you, Emma.”
Her mouth went dry and all she could do was nod.
Lucian leaned forward. Emma closed her eyes and could smell the salty warmth of his skin. She breathed it in as his lips touched hers, generating magical sparks all over her body. When his tongue lapped at the seam of her mouth, she opened for him and her head spun with an exquisite rush of feelings. What was this man doing to her?
She had no sense of time or place. Her body was weightless, lifting up to the stars when Lucian kissed her. And she could not get enough. But Emma was afraid. Terrified of losing herself, body and soul, to a man she didn’t know well. Yet, that didn’t feel right. Somewhere deep down, she did know him well. On some strange plane of existence, she knew him, and she could trust him.
Then Lucian was gone, replaced by cold air, and Emma opened her eyes. She rose to her feet as she heard the knocking and ran a hand down her disheveled dress while Lucian opened the door.
Samir walked in, carrying a bundle of clothes, smiling. “I have found what you need, piyaa. Even boots.” He handed the clothing to her. “I will send the coach back to Hartford now and see who follows after. The son of the livery owner will drive it there. Wait half an hour before you leave. Your horse is ready in the stable. We can meet at the edge of the woods, at the felled tree two miles to the east, in two hours.”
Lucian nodded. “I remember the place. Go. We will meet you there.”
As Samir inclined his head and walked away, Emma turned to Lucian. “If you sent Joe the footman to London with Gabriella, what horse will I use?”
He flashed a smile. “You will ride with me.”
Knowing there was no other option, she pointed to the door. “Wait outside while I change clothes.”
His eyes twinkled as he hefted his valise and left the room.
Blowing out a breath, Emma began her transformation into a stable lad. She had to rent one of her chemise’s into long strips of material to bind her breasts, but it was worth the effort. Samir judged her size well. The clothes fit as though they were made for her, even the boots. She pinned her hair into a tight bun, using extra pins to keep back wayward curls, then donned the black knit cap, readjusting a few pins to keep it in place.
After stuffing her dress and half-boots into her valise, she opened the door. “Well, what do you think?” she asked Lucian.
He looked her up and down, his brows snapping together, then he shook his head. “I do not think this will work.”
Emma lowered her valise to the floor beside Lucian’s bag and glanced down. “What? Why not?” She saw nothing amiss.
Lucian leaned forward and whispered, “Those tight breeches hide nothing. And you’re much too pretty to be a boy.”
A tingling heat crept up her neck and spilled in her cheeks. She tipped her head back. “You think I’m pretty?”
A flame sparked to life in his eyes. As he started to say something, Duffy came up the stairs. “You, boy, what are you doing up here?”
Emma bit back a smile as Lucian answered. “Taking these bags to my horse.” He turned to her and gave her a stern glare. “Hurry, now, boy.”
She gave a quick bow, then hefted the bags from the floor and carried them downstairs. As she cleared the last step, she heard Lucian tell Duffy his wife was unwell and he sent her back to Hartford in the coach. Emma grinned as she turned to the back of the inn. If
anyone were to ask of her, that would be the story.
While Lucian spoke to Duffy near the rear door, Emma headed for the stables. The bright sun jabbed her eyes and she blinked several times, breathing in the briny ocean air. Her arms ached as she carried the bags across the yard and into the long wooden building. Horses greeted her as she entered and the smell of hay tickled her nose.
When Emma’s eyes adjusted to the interior, she found Lucian’s large bay mare, saddled and tied to a post. Her reddish-brown coat glistened from a recent brushing and her black mane and tail were free from tangles. As Emma lowered the bags, she heard two men speaking near the stairs to the hayloft. She would not have paid them the least mind, but for hearing one of them say her name.
Glancing around and seeing no one else about, Emma crept closer to listen.
“…Following the Wickham chit.”
“And when it’s far enough away, the coach will have an unfortunate accident.”
Emma cupped a hand over her mouth. Who were these men? Murdoch and Burke? She would have to peek around the corner of the last stall to see.
The first man chuckled. “Oy likes that.”
Taking a deep breath, Emma leaned forward to glance around the wood.
Chapter 8
Finding Emma hunched low, peeking around a stall, made Lucian stop short. He was about to call out to her, but bit back his words when he heard the voices. Two men, chuckling about some unfortunate coach accident. The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Were they discussing the demise of the Hartford coach?
As Lucian took a step, about to confront the men, one of the stable workers entered the building, leading a horse inside. The man nodded as he walked by and took the horse to one of the stalls.
Blowing out a breath, Lucian hurried to Emma as she rose, her face pale, her eyes wide. “Are you all right?”
She nodded.
Lucian peeked around the corner and found the men gone, the rear door banging against the doorframe. “Did you see them clearly?”
Some of the color returned to her cheeks. “Yes.”
He lowered his voice. “Were they Murdoch and Burke?”
Emma surprised him by shaking her head. “I never saw them before.” She crossed her arms. “But I would know them if I saw them again.”
“Come. Let us leave.” He turned to Juliet, his horse, and lifted the bags from the ground. After securing them to the saddle, he untied the leather straps and led Juliet outside. “I will have to lift you up,” he said.
When Emma nodded, he placed his hands on her waist and set her on the saddle, surprised to find her so easy to lift. Then he bounced up behind her and settled into place, wrapping his arms around her middle to hold the reins.
After a quick scan of the area and finding no one around, Lucian set out down the road. For half a mile, they trotted along, then he leaned forward and spoke into her ear. “I will leave the road and enter the forest. We will be harder to follow among the trees.”
She turned. “You think we are being followed?”
“I haven’t seen anyone, but it is possible.”
Her gaze sharpened on his. “The two men from the stables?”
“If it’s anyone, it would be them.”
“Or Murdoch and Burke.”
He nodded. “Or those two.”
“Or all of them,” she said, facing forward.
Lucian agreed and, after another glance around, made a sudden turn to the left. They entered the woods between two ash trees and weaved around oaks and bushes, stopping often to listen. With dead leaves and dry twigs cluttering the ground, hearing someone follow would not be difficult. When nothing sounded but the wind blowing among the branches, Lucian continued onward.
After another hour, he leaned down and spoke in a soft voice. “We are nearing the felled tree.”
Emma nodded she had heard but said nothing.
Turning Juliet to the right, Lucian stopped the horse at the bulging trunk lying on the ground. He glanced around.
“Have we arrived early?”
Lucian pulled his watch out and checked the time. “No. Quarter of an hour late, actually.”
“Do you think Samir is in trouble?” She turned and Lucian saw her worried frown. “What if he came upon the men planning to harm the coach?”
“No. I think Samir is simply delayed. We will wait for him.” His arms tightened around Emma and he scooted her close to his chest. Lucian almost groaned at the exquisite feel of her rounded bottom nestled against his groin. He cleared his throat, trying to get his mind off certain naughty images of naked bodies wrapped together.
Blowing out a breath, Emma leaned back, further torturing him. Lucian gritted his teeth, knowing any moment she would feel the growing part of his anatomy that refused to heed his commands. He wished like hell Samir would hurry, and they would be on their way.
“Lucian, what if he doesn’t come?”
“Hush, now. He will come.”
“Perhaps, we should go look for him.”
“We have no way of knowing where Samir is, Emma. To keep from being followed, he might have gone in any direction, or used a confusing path to get here. This is probably why he is late.” Lucian watched a fat, gray squirrel slip down the oak to their right and dash to the neighboring tree. “Besides, what would Samir think if he arrives and we are not here?”
“How long should we wait?”
A chuckle rumbled up Lucian’s throat. “Are you always this impatient, minx?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“How, then, did you ever refrain from searching for Sean so long?”
She stiffened in his arms and Lucian wished he could recall his words. “I had a funeral to arrange,” she said.
He held his breath a moment, then blew it out. “I am sorry I did not arrive sooner to help you.”
Emma glanced over her shoulder. “That was not your fault, Lucian. When the messenger could not locate you at Ravenwood, I should have given instructions to find you instead of returning to Hartford.” She paused, drawing her brows. “When I sent the messenger back again, where did he find you?”
He tapped her on the tip of her nose. “I own the house next to my cousin’s in Mayfair. The messenger found me there.”
She swiveled around and wiggled, sending torturous tingles below his waist. “I would like to get down and walk around.” She wiggled again.
“Yes, good idea,” he said at once and slid to the ground, then held his hands out to help her from the saddle.
Emma slid down his body. When her boots touched the ground, Lucian held her for a moment, savoring the feel of her soft warmth against him. He could not help himself. He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers.
She coiled her arms around his neck and drew even closer. Her mouth opened for him and they kissed long and deep. What was this minx doing to him? His hands slid up and down her back, wishing he could shed her clothes and see the beauty he knew existed beneath. He wished he could do a hell of a lot more.
But taking her on the ground, behind a tree like some penny whore did not sit well with him. Nor would he risk getting her with child. Lucian eased back and pressed his forehead against hers, allowing their breaths to mingle. He was about to speak when he heard hooves clopping on the road.
When Emma would have dashed out to the road, Lucian grabbed her by the hand. “Wait,” he whispered and crouched them down behind the felled trunk. He touched a finger to his lips.
She nodded, her eyes round as saucers, but she stayed quiet. Lucian would take no chances on this journey. People wanted the treasure. They had even killed Jonah, an earl, for it. So, what would they do to Emma? He clenched his fists. Deep down, he had hoped Sean’s message had been an exaggeration. That, maybe, Jonah had died of a horrible accident. But with the fire set in the livery, their room searched, and the two men Emma overheard in the stables, left little doubt. Someone wanted the treasure and would kill for it.
The surrounding trees blanketed the
area in shadow, and Lucian hoped it would be enough to keep his dark head concealed. He rose up enough to glance at the horse and rider, then came back down.
Emma’s brows rose.
Lucian shook his head and pressed a finger to his lips. Not Samir. He did not recognize the man. Medium build, but stout, like a pugilist, dark hair with silver at his temples and sky-blue eyes that scanned both sides of the road. No doubt, looking for them.
He held his breath as the horse neared the felled tree and slowed. Lucian willed the man to move on. The rider stopped instead. Closing his eyes, Lucian knew he would have to do something if he and Emma were found. Tear the man apart with his bare hands if he had to. If it meant protecting Emma from harm, he would do it.
Lucian tensed, ready to spring up and surprise the man. In the few seconds of confusion, he could gain the upper hand. Perhaps, even if the man were armed, wrestle the weapon away. As he started to move, a galloping horse sounded. Lucian stilled. That changed things. With one armed man, he stood a chance. Not two.
Emma’s hand reached for his and held him tight. He threaded his fingers through hers and gave her a comforting squeeze. Then, movement in the forest caught his attention. His horse, still tied to a limb, lifted her head from the ground. Lucian prayed Juliet would be still and silent. Although hidden well in the shadows, if she moved about too much or neighed, she could alert the men looking for them.
The second rider approached the first. “Find ‘em?”
“No’ yet.”
Emma tensed. Lucian slid his gaze to hers, and she nodded. The two men from the stables.
“How could ‘e disappear loiks that?”
“I dunno, Binks. Maybe left the road.”
Binks heaved a sigh. “Wot do we do now, Dempsey?”
“Keep looking, is wot we do. You know wot will happen if we fail.”
“Awwrite, awwrite. Jeez, Dempsey, ye don’t have to tell me. Oi’ll go back ter the inn and start again.”
“You do that, Binks.”
When Lucian heard Binks dash away, he relaxed against the thick bark. Back down to one. After a moment, he heard the other horse move away at a slower pace. He inched up and watched Dempsey. The man continued to scan the area, his dark head moving from side to side.
Lord Hunter (Secrets & Scandals Book 6) Page 7