Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) Read Online Free Page B
Author: Marie Higgins
hands. “No need to fret. Nobody will know the difference.”
“As long as you believe in me, I think I can do this.”
“I do believe in you.”
The clip-clop from the horse’s hooves and the swaying of the vehicle lulled Emmie, causing her eyes to droop. Yet her mind wouldn’t sleep. Many ideas swam in her head, and excitement danced in her body, keeping her awake.
Originally, she had abhorred her father’s plan. But now…
She wanted to accomplish so much without the restrictions of being a duke’s daughter hanging over her. She would finally get to ride through the countryside without one of her father’s servants escorting her. She could talk the way she wanted, and pretty much do whatever she wanted without seeing her father’s scowl or hearing his raised voice when he scolded her for being hard-headed and having her own mind.
How would it be if a man could look at her as a woman and not as a wealthy lady? Plenty of men vowed their loyalty and love to her, but none she believed. How could she when she knew it was her dowry they were after?
Closing her eyes, she leaned back on the seat. A man’s face appeared in her mind, and she smiled. Mr. Lawrence. Would she ever meet him again? Although he rode in the coach of someone who had money—and a title—he certainly didn’t act like he was used to being waited on. When he volunteered to help turn over their vehicle, then said he’d drive the coach himself, Emiline was certain he didn’t hold a title.
When the coach slowed and surprised voices rang out, Emiline snapped her eyes open and peeked out of the broken door. The old trees lining the drive appeared as if they had been tended with care throughout the years, as had the acreage of manicured lawns rolling out as far as she could see. She gasped in awe of its beauty. When a house came into view, she gazed upon the two-story artwork that looked to be a cross between Gothic and Tudor styles. This, she was informed, was where the Hampton family liked to spend their off season.
As the vehicle came to a stop, the front door to the house opened and an older gentleman, tall, stocky with thinning brown hair hustled out. Not far behind him came a woman about the same age, tall and thin, wearing a lovely blue gown. She adjusted her bonnet as she aimed her gaze at the coach.
Emmie smiled. This must be her father’s friends, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton.
Anna stirred on the seat, stretched and yawned. “Have we arrived?”
“Indeed we have, Lady Sarah.”
Anna rubbed her eyes then blinked as she looked at Emiline. “Do you know how hard it is going to be for me to answer to that name?”
“You shall do fine. Just remember to call me Miss Emmie.”
As the driver hopped down, Emiline prepared herself for a new adventure. Freedom from London society’s rules were in her grasp. At least for a little while, and she planned on taking advantage of a perfect opportunity.
* * * *
Gabe submerged his body fully into the pond. Holding his breath, he hoped the water would not take away his new hair color. The old widow, Mrs. Baker, changed the color of his hair to brown and even gave him a cut. Gratefully, he had walked out of her house looking a new man. Now if he could just keep away from large crowds, all would be well in his world. At least for a few months. He prayed things would get back to normal soon after that.
During his much-needed break, he didn’t want to think about the problems in his life. He didn’t want to have to constantly look over his shoulder and wonder who is a spy—and especially who might know that he was a member of The Sons of Liberty. Unfortunately, he couldn’t relax now. Not since he knew the niece of Oliver Townshend was visiting the Hamptons.
Before the air ran out of his lungs, he rose up out of the water and breathed deeply. He swiped his fingers through his hair, pushing the strands back on his head out
“As long as you believe in me, I think I can do this.”
“I do believe in you.”
The clip-clop from the horse’s hooves and the swaying of the vehicle lulled Emmie, causing her eyes to droop. Yet her mind wouldn’t sleep. Many ideas swam in her head, and excitement danced in her body, keeping her awake.
Originally, she had abhorred her father’s plan. But now…
She wanted to accomplish so much without the restrictions of being a duke’s daughter hanging over her. She would finally get to ride through the countryside without one of her father’s servants escorting her. She could talk the way she wanted, and pretty much do whatever she wanted without seeing her father’s scowl or hearing his raised voice when he scolded her for being hard-headed and having her own mind.
How would it be if a man could look at her as a woman and not as a wealthy lady? Plenty of men vowed their loyalty and love to her, but none she believed. How could she when she knew it was her dowry they were after?
Closing her eyes, she leaned back on the seat. A man’s face appeared in her mind, and she smiled. Mr. Lawrence. Would she ever meet him again? Although he rode in the coach of someone who had money—and a title—he certainly didn’t act like he was used to being waited on. When he volunteered to help turn over their vehicle, then said he’d drive the coach himself, Emiline was certain he didn’t hold a title.
When the coach slowed and surprised voices rang out, Emiline snapped her eyes open and peeked out of the broken door. The old trees lining the drive appeared as if they had been tended with care throughout the years, as had the acreage of manicured lawns rolling out as far as she could see. She gasped in awe of its beauty. When a house came into view, she gazed upon the two-story artwork that looked to be a cross between Gothic and Tudor styles. This, she was informed, was where the Hampton family liked to spend their off season.
As the vehicle came to a stop, the front door to the house opened and an older gentleman, tall, stocky with thinning brown hair hustled out. Not far behind him came a woman about the same age, tall and thin, wearing a lovely blue gown. She adjusted her bonnet as she aimed her gaze at the coach.
Emmie smiled. This must be her father’s friends, Mr. and Mrs. Hampton.
Anna stirred on the seat, stretched and yawned. “Have we arrived?”
“Indeed we have, Lady Sarah.”
Anna rubbed her eyes then blinked as she looked at Emiline. “Do you know how hard it is going to be for me to answer to that name?”
“You shall do fine. Just remember to call me Miss Emmie.”
As the driver hopped down, Emiline prepared herself for a new adventure. Freedom from London society’s rules were in her grasp. At least for a little while, and she planned on taking advantage of a perfect opportunity.
* * * *
Gabe submerged his body fully into the pond. Holding his breath, he hoped the water would not take away his new hair color. The old widow, Mrs. Baker, changed the color of his hair to brown and even gave him a cut. Gratefully, he had walked out of her house looking a new man. Now if he could just keep away from large crowds, all would be well in his world. At least for a few months. He prayed things would get back to normal soon after that.
During his much-needed break, he didn’t want to think about the problems in his life. He didn’t want to have to constantly look over his shoulder and wonder who is a spy—and especially who might know that he was a member of The Sons of Liberty. Unfortunately, he couldn’t relax now. Not since he knew the niece of Oliver Townshend was visiting the Hamptons.
Before the air ran out of his lungs, he rose up out of the water and breathed deeply. He swiped his fingers through his hair, pushing the strands back on his head out
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