Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) Read Online Free

Hampton’s estate—”
     
    “Henry and Martha Hampton?” His gaze slid over both women once again before his eyes widened. “Are you perhaps their guests from London?”
     
    Emiline hitched a breath in surprise. “Indeed, we are from London.”
     
    He studied them again, slower this time, until he rested his gaze on Emiline’s maid, Anna. He smiled. “Then you must be Lady Sarah Townshend.”
     
    Emiline held her breath, praying Anna would remember what they’d discussed this past week. The charade. But what if Anna forgot…or heaven help her, what if the maid was too frightened? Quickly, before Anna could respond, Emiline squeezed her maid’s hand and said, “Yes, this is Lady Sarah Townshend. I am her companion.”
     
    Anna’s wide-eye expression clashed with Emiline’s, but she gave her maid a small reassuring smile and nod to follow along.
     
    The handsome man tilted his head toward Emiline. “And does Lady Sarah’s companion have a name as well?”
     
    Emiline swallowed hard. “Indeed she does. You may call me Miss Emmie.” Before her mother died, she’d called her my little Emmie. So…from henceforth—or at least during their stay in New Hampshire—she’d finally be known as Emmie.
     
    He bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both of you.” When he straightened, he turned to his driver and motioned. “Come help me assist these two lovely ladies.” He shrugged out of his waistcoat and laid it across the lip of the coach. The driver jumped down. The younger man pointed toward the vehicle. “Let’s see if we can turn this aright.”
     
    “Splendid idea.” Emiline cheered. “I shall help as well.” She glanced at Anna who still looked a loss for words. “Lady Sarah, please stand over there so you don’t hurt yourself.”
     
    “Uh, I—I think I should help, too. More hands are better.”
     
    The handsome man held up his hand, stopping Anna. “Please, my lady. I fear you may strain yourself if you try to help.” He paused and looked at Emmie. “I think you should stand aside with your lady. My driver and I can see to the matter ourselves.”
     
    “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