Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series)

by Higgins, Marie

  “As you wish. I trust we shall see each other later.”

  She nodded. “I’m certain you will.”

  “Good day, Miss Emmie.”

  “And good day to you, Mr. Lawrence.”

  As she walked away, he grinned. Although he hated to admit it, he quite enjoyed their little interlude, even if he was half naked. Now he wondered if she even realized it at all. Yet her blush from time to time proved that she did indeed know.

  Shaking his head, he retrieved his clothes. Miss Emmie was certainly different, and he looked forward to visiting with her again.

  What was he thinking! It should be Lady Sarah he needed to get to know—not her companion. Then again...that particular lady’s companion showed promise of fun-filled days ahead.

  Chapter Three

  Emiline stood behind Anna as she sat on a stool facing her vanity table. The Hampton’s maid had already assisted in getting Anna ready for the ball, but Emiline was more particular in how she thought Anna’s hair should look. After the maid left, Emmie fixed Anna’s hair the right way.

  Anna wrung her hands against her middle as worry etched lines in her face. “Mr. and Mrs. Hampton are going to introduce me to their family and friends. Are you certain your father didn’t know anybody besides Mr. and Mrs. Hampton?”

  Emiline weaved a pink ribbon through Anna’s dark hair. Artfully, Emiline had pulled back the sides with pearl studded combs to complete then ensemble. “I wish I could tell you, Anna. My father doesn’t speak of everyone he knows from when he was in the colonies. He met my mother on a visit to New York, and I think her death hurt him so much he doesn’t want to talk about that time in his life.”

  “Oh, Lady Sarah! I didn’t even think of that.”

  “Shh… I’m Emmie now, remember that,” she reminded.

  “My apologies, Lady—eh, I mean Emmie.” Anna sighed heavily. “What am I going to do if someone realizes I don’t look like your father?”

  Emiline snorted a laugh as she met her friend’s gaze through the reflection on the vanity mirror. Sometimes her maid could be so obtuse. “Anna, I don’t even resemble my father. I take more after my mother, but you look enough like me that you fit the part.”

  Anna relaxed. “Forgive me for being so jumpy. I suppose I’m a little nervous about tonight. I do not want to muck things up.”

  Emiline added the finishing touches to Anna’s hair by pulling the ringlets down evenly. “You will do fine. You have given a splendid performance thus far. Mr. and Mrs. Hampton don’t know any different, and Mr. Hampton was very close to my father before marrying my mother.”

  Anna nodded. “You’re right as always, my lady.”

  “Anna?” Emiline reminded in a whisper. “You must not call me that. Nobody must know of our charade. I don’t even want the servants to overhear. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” Anna answered softly.

  After finishing Anna’s hair, Emiline helped her friend brush the gown to free it from the few wrinkles it had gathered since they’d started redoing Anna’s hair. This pink ball dress Emmie had always been one of her favorites. The silk sensation had a deep v-cut in the bodice, which she thought made her chest look fuller. Of course, the slim waist and the billowy sleeves of white lace had always made her look elegant. But now as it was being worn by a different woman, it disappointed Emmie a little because the dress actually looked better on her friend. She hated to admit that the dress accented Anna’s bounteous bosom perfectly, which made her waist appear smaller. This gown had never looked so feminine on Emmie’s body.

  She tried not to think about all the parties and functions Anna had been invited to, because in a way she envied her. Now that they had different roles, Emmie would have to stand back and watch her friend be swept away by men on the dance floor. Then again…this could be a good thing. This way, Emmie wouldn’t have to hear their lies when they promised her the moon and stars on a silver platter. She wouldn’t have people bowing and curtsying every time she walked by, and they wouldn’t treat her as if she was precious glass just because her father was a duke. Her disguise as a lady’s companion couldn’t be more perfect.

  Anna picked out one of the fancier dresses for Emiline to wear tonight. The shimmering gray material was pretty, but just as the dress she’d wore earlier, this one practically hung on her. The modest high neck collar with white lace, and long sleeves did not enhance any body part on her. The color even made her face look pale and her eyes bug out. Then again, the way she’d wound her hair so tight that could be the reason her eyes looked funny.

  Emmie and Anna left the bedroom together. When they reached the ballroom, Emmie stopped and tapped Anna on the arm. “You shall do fine. Just remember…you are me,” she whispered.

  Holding her head high, Anna entered the ballroom as Emiline followed. She tried her best not to let anyone really look at her, and thankfully, their eyes were on Anna—who soaked up the attention well. Many people filled the ballroom and greeted Lady Sarah with bows and curtsies. Emiline smiled, knowing Anna turned out a great performance.

  It had been quite a long time since Emmie attended a party, and being at this one tonight, brought back nostalgic memories. She remembered in her younger years that she loved dressing up in fancy ball gowns. She’d danced with the boys even though most of them stepped on her toes too many times to count. As she now watched Anna dance with Mr. Hampton, Emiline was now grateful she’d decided to teach her maid how to dance when they were younger. To be sure, Anna was rusty, which was quite obvious to everyone present.

  Not too long later, boredom set in and Emiline wanted to scream. If her father knew how she felt now would he be laughing? At times she wondered if he did this to teach her a lesson, instead of keeping her safe. For months he’d been threatening to do something in order to cure her stubbornness. Now she felt his threat was becoming a reality. It made her wonder why the Hampton’s friends were not more sociable. But perhaps this was a good thing. She didn’t want to have to answer questions.

  A few couples strolled passed her, not evening give her a submissive glance. Strange how people treated her like she was a ghost. Once in a while, Emmie received judgmental glares and upturned noses, especially from the ladies, but it didn’t happen until after they’d looked at her gown. Inwardly, she groaned. Maybe she should spend some of her father’s money to purchase newer gowns. After all, Anna only had gowns for servants, not for Emmie’s new role.

  Subtly, she glided over to a potted plant near the corner of the room, and pretended to pick out the dead leaves. Five men stood together, each holding a champagne glass. Their voices were lowered, but she could still hear them. When she heard one say high taxes, she quickly paid closer attention.

  She really couldn’t tell what exactly made them discuss this topic, but all five men were angered by the rise of taxes. They gave examples of this year compared to last year. Emmie nearly gasped aloud to hear of the jump. Good heavens! What was the King thinking to approve of these high taxes?

  When two ladies passed by and eyed Emmie closely, she decided not to act like she was picking apart the plant any longer, and slowly wandered toward another wall. Immediately, her attention was pulled to the door on the ballroom. A handsome man strolled inside, his powerful presence demanded attention, which he definitely received.

  Emiline grinned. Mr. Lawrence looked just as good clothed as he did when he was bathing in the pond. The memory of that most embarrassing moment caused heat to climb up her neck to rest in her cheeks. She’d been so uncomfortable with conversing with a half-naked man, yet she had been mesmerized by his charm and good looks, and she couldn’t force herself to leave even though her mind argued how wrong it was to be with a man who’d just finished bathing.

  Moving from guest to guest, he mingled easily. His smile had her enthralled, and his laugh caused flutters in her belly. The handsome creature then walked to his uncle. The two men talked for a few minutes then Mr. Hampton turned and called out to Anna.

&
nbsp; Mr. Lawrence’s eyes widened when he first looked at the pretend daughter of the duke, and jealousy jabbed at Emmie’s chest. Mr. Lawrence took Anna’s hand in formal greeting, his face brightening by the second.

  Mr. Lawrence claimed the next dance. Emmie didn’t want to admit, but her maid actually looked good beside him. Anna’s eyes gleamed like stars while she danced with Mr. Lawrence. How could they not? He just happened to be the most dominant man in this room, and Emmie wasn’t the only woman who noticed. Many pairs of eyes followed the handsome man with the muscular body around.

  Emiline almost wished she could take back her identity, only so she could dance in his arms. It’s too late for that now. Both she and Anna would be the laughingstocks of the party if people were to find out about their charade. In addition, Emmie couldn’t do that to Mr. and Mrs. Hampton. And she especially couldn’t go against her father’s wishes.

  After Anna and Mr. Lawrence’s dance was over, he bowed to his partner and brushed his lips across the back of her hand. Pleasure spread over the maid’s face, which in turn, made Emmie more upset over the switch of identities. That could have been her out there on the dance floor. He could be kissing her hand, instead.

  Gabe left Anna’s side to wander around the room. He took a glass of champagne from the butler then leaned back against the wall. Anna made a sharp turn and started heading Emiline’s way.

  Anna stopped in front of her. “I forgot my fan!”

  Emiline blinked as her mind began to work. “Oh dear. Forgive me for forgetting to give that to you. I shall go fetch it now.”

  Emmie made a mad dash back to the room, grabbed one of her favorite fans, and hurried back down to the ballroom. Anna hadn’t waited by the door as Emmie thought she would, so she entered the ballroom, keeping her shoulders straight and chin up.

  When Anna saw her, she broke away from the small group around her. Emmie held out the fan. “You are doing splendidly tonight,” she said.

  “Thank you. I’m just so very nervous.”

  “Nobody can tell.” Emmie grinned.

  Anna whispered her gratitude and returned to the small group.

  As Emmie started to head back toward the wall she’d been keeping company for the last little while, her attention immediately stopped on Gabe who stood where she’d seen him last. His gaze rested intently on her, causing her feet to stop before reaching their destination. She wrung her hands, hoping he wouldn’t say anything about their last meeting at the pond. That’s all she needed was for people to judge her for being improper.

  He boldly scanned her attire from her tight bun down to her gray dress. When his eyes met hers again, his lips turned up into a smile. With a small bow, he let her know he recognized her.

  Her heart pounded an uneven rhythm as she returned the smile and curtsied. Once again, his eyes scanned her length slowly, and then he gave her a nod of approval, letting her know that she looked presentable. She didn’t want to argue the point since others at this party thought differently.

  Following his lead, she looked over his attire—a deep blue waistcoat stretched across his wide chest; a black coat fit his broad shoulders, and black breeches that snugged against his muscular legs perfectly as did his knee high black boots. She nodded her approval. He chuckled and held up his drink as if in a salute.

  Sighing, she stared at his astounding smile. Shame on her, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t get the image of him bathing out of her mind. Never had she witnessed such an indecent sight even though all she had seen was his bare chest. Now as she stared dreamily at him, it was if they were the only two people in the room.

  Although she wanted to talk to him, she didn’t dare. Not often had she become tongue-tied around men, and Mr. Lawrence certainly made her feel this way. Too bad because she was willing to bet he had something very comical to say. Humor twinkled in his eyes and she desperately wanted to know what thoughts swam through his head as well.

  When he finally turned away to converse with a group of beautiful young women who’d flocked to him, disappointed washed over Emmie. Slowly, she went back to her corner of the room to keep the wall company, once again.

  During the next few hours, she watched Mr. Lawrence move around the room. Once in a while, his attention wandered to Anna. That man was definitely interested in the duke’s daughter! Frustration boiled inside Emiline hotter than before. When Anna’s gaze finally locked with his, her friend gave him a shy smile. Emiline wanted to lash out at something—or someone.

  For the rest of the evening, her form of entertainment was to witness the way her maid interacted with Gabe. Soon, Anna broke away from him and walked toward Emmie. Her heart quickened, wondering what was going on now.

  “Emmie,” Anna said when she reached her. “Mr. Lawrence has asked me to take a walk with him outside. What should I do?”

  Emiline fisted her hands by her side. “It is polite to go for a walk.”

  “Then will you fetch my shawl for me? I mean…um, your shawl?” she ended in a whisper.

  “Yes, my lady. I shall be more than happy to fetch the shawl.” Grudgingly, Emmie hurried back up the stairs to get the shawl. On the way back down, she grumbled under her breath. As she placed the shawl around Anna’s shoulders, she whispered in her friend’s ear, “Remember who you are, and that Lady Sarah doesn’t allow men to seduce her.”

  Anna’s forehead creased, her gaze narrowed when she met Emmie’s glare.

  When Gabe claimed Anna for their walk, the only acknowledgment he gave Emmie was a nod before escorting Anna out on his arm.

  Emiline stood back and had no other choice but to watch them leave. Jealousy ate at her insides the longer she waited for them to return. Pacing back and forth in front of a window didn’t help her nerves any. For certain, Anna would be enjoying her evening right now and not even thinking about Emiline.

  Rolling her eyes, Emmie shook her head. She didn’t have any claim on Gabe. Come to think of it, he had been quite snobbish to her when they had spoken earlier at the pond. But even though her mind was trying to create bad thoughts about him, she was still curious to find out what the two of them were doing on their walk right now.

  Glancing around the hall, she hoped nobody would care that she disappeared outside. But since everyone treated her as a ghost, she was certain not to have anyone stop her. She grinned. Her entertainment was just beginning.

  Emiline crept out the side door and onto the terrace. Casually, as not to draw attention, she walked to the edge of the lawn and scanned the large expanse of grass and trees, hoping to spot Anna. Within moments, she noticed her friend and the very handsome man beside her. Gabe led the love-struck Anna away from the house toward the shadows near the trees. Growling under her breath, Emmie feared the worst. Knowing her maid like she did, she knew exactly what Anna wanted.

  Emmie needed to follow them but couldn’t let them see her. Glancing around the yard, she searched for a place to hide. Across the way stood a large marble statue and behind it, some bushes. Since Gabe and Anna headed in that direction at a leisurely pace, Emmie decided she would have time to get to the statue and hide there before they arrived...as long as she ran.

  Lifting her skirts to her ankles, she sprinted across the yard toward the marble statue, grateful she didn’t wear all those slips underneath her gown to make noise. Gabe and Anna seemed to have eyes for only each other, so Emiline arrived at her hiding spot before the other two did.

  Hopefully, her maid was not up to her usual tricks and disregarded the rules of propriety. If so, Anna would be in Gabe’s arms this very night. Emmie didn’t think she’d be able to hide her jealous anger and keep herself concealed if that happened. Emmie gulped. If Anna did not take care, Emmie’s reputation could be ruined.

  * * * *

  Gabe smiled politely at the lovely woman beside him. The longer he was in her presence, the more he became confused. Her charm was evident, and yet her shyness was a contradiction. She really didn’t talk much, and he couldn’t beli
eve there was a woman out there who didn’t chatter like a crazed magpie. Now he found one he wished would talk a little more.

  So far he had told her about himself—at least what he wanted her to know—and now he wanted to hear about her. If she would tell him, that is. Every time he asked her about herself, she changed the subject, bringing it back to him.

  They stopped by the marble statue of a woman with a water pitcher in her hands. Still close enough to the house for propriety sake, and so not to anger her lady’s companion, Miss Emmie…yet far enough away so that they wouldn’t be bothered or overheard.

  He glanced up at the half moon and the few clouds littering the darkened sky. Most of the light shone from the house. Although they were not in total darkness, many shadows crept around them, especially in the bushes not more than five feet away. Prickles of awareness danced over his skin, hinting there was another presence nearby. Over the last ten years, he’d learned to trust his feelings and instincts. Spies were all around, and he must be cautious. Until he could figure out who was watching them, he’d be careful.