Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series)

by Higgins, Marie

  It was hard not to think about Emmie during his ride…wondering what she was doing, if she enjoyed her visit with his aunt. Was Emmie thinking of him at all? More importantly, he wondered if he could give his heart to her. Would she understand why he was a Patriot, and still want to be with him? He’d lived his life these past several years trying to help his fellow men break away from Britain’s hold, and praying that someday they could be free from the King forever. Changing his way of thinking for a woman was utter nonsense. The woman he would finally love and marry would definitely have to understand and accept Gabe for the man he was.

  But a woman like Emmie certainly made him rethink his purpose. He’d never thought about a woman the way he thought about her. She had been constantly on his mind since they met when he helped them fix their carriage.

  Indeed she was some witch who had placed a spell on him…a spell he didn’t wish to have removed.

  He chuckled, remembering his friends, William Braxton and Marcus Thorne. They were both very love-struck and fought it the whole way. For them, falling in love was the best thing that had ever happened. Could Gabe have the same fate as his friends?

  Several hours later, they finally arrived in Salem. Evening had come, which meant Gabe needed to find an inn with rooms for everyone posthaste. After riding a little longer, he came upon an establishment that appeared to be clean and taken well care of—Street House Inn.

  He pulled his horse to a stop, swung his leg over to jump down. Once inside, he breathed a sigh of relief that upon seeing this place, his first instincts were correct—this was a well-kept establishment. After securing the rooms needed, Gabe hurried outside to inform everyone.

  As his uncle was helping the women out of the carriage, he turned to Gabe with a narrowed gaze. “How did you register us?” he asked softly.

  “Under Gabriel Lawrence and party.”

  Smiling, his uncle nodded. “Well done.”

  When Emmie climbed down, Gabe waited patiently for her to look at him, and when she did, her face lit up with a smile. He knew he was grinning just as broad since his cheeks hurt. “Did you and Lady Sarah have a pleasant journey,” he asked.

  “Indeed, we did. The visit with your aunt was very enjoyable and enlightening.”

  Uncle Henry’s servants rushed to get all the trunks unloaded and taken into the inn, while six weary travelers climbed the stairs to their rooms. Although Gabe wanted to be the one assisting Emmie, that would cause undue attention from his aunt and uncle, so he assisted Lady Sarah, instead. Once he got her and Emmie into their rooms, he bowed and wished them good night, and then left.

  He settled himself quickly in his room, praying the morning would get here soon so he could see Emmie and be able to spend more time with her.

  Indeed, he was under her spell and only wanted more.

  * * * *

  With a spring to his step and a happy tune on his mind, Gabe hurried downstairs after scarfing down the morning meal. Uncle Henry was in the main room visiting with the Innkeepers. When he saw Gabe, he motioned his hand to come over.

  Gabe glanced around the room as he walked toward his uncle, hoping to see Emmie and Lady Sarah, but they were not here. He stopped beside his uncle and smiled. “Good morning, Uncle Henry. I trust you slept well.”

  “As well as could be expected since I slept in a strange bed.” He chuckled and turned his attention to the Innkeepers. “But I must say, out of all the places I have stayed, the bed was very comfortable, and the service has been extraordinary.”

  The Innkeepers—a middle aged husband and wife—smiled brightly. The portly fellow appeared younger than Henry by at least ten years, but had the gray hair and wrinkles, nonetheless.

  “I thank you for a wonderful compliment.”

  “Mr. Brownstone, please excuse me. My nephew and I need to leave now.”

  The men bowed to each other before Uncle Henry led the way outside. Salem’s weather was lovely so far this morning with a promise of getting better as the day progressed. This would be the perfect day to take a stroll along the beach with a beautiful lady, and show her the lighthouse. Emmie would just love it. But the question was…would he be able to spend time alone with her?

  “Did you have something to speak with me about, Uncle?”

  Henry shook his head. “Not anything really important. I thought you and I could walk through town this morning. After spending all time confined inside a coach with a daughter who complained about everything, I would rather be with my nephew for a little while.”

  Gabe laughed. “I did get to hear how unhappy she was when I rode by your carriage a few times yesterday.”

  Henry rolled his eyes. “Unhappy? No, she was worse than that.”

  They both laughed this time.

  As they walked, Henry talked about the weather, and about the town. Gabe agreed with everything and didn’t have much to add. In a way, he wished his uncle would discuss something more important, mainly so that Gabe wouldn’t think about wanting to be back at the inn with Emmie.

  Thankfully, the town was awake and many people were about, doing their daily shopping. Soon, Henry’s name was called, and both Gabe and his uncle stopped. A friend of Henry’s came to greet them. From the introductions, Gabe realized the two friends hadn’t seen each other for several years.

  He tried to act interested in the topic the two friends were discussing, but as Gabe swept his gaze up and down the street at the different buildings, the only thing going through his mind was taking Emmie here. She would fall in love with this town, he just knew it.

  When he recognized a familiar face, his thoughts stopped. It was one of Captain Hawk’s crew members. Gabe acknowledged the man with a slight nod, not wanting to bring attention to either one of them. It was good to know the note Gabe had sent Rufus had gotten answered quickly. Now Gabe wondered where Rufus was holding up, or if his friend was even in Salem yet.

  Gabe turned back to his uncle and the other man, then politely made his excuses to why he must leave. Uncle Henry gave him a curious stare, but Gabe just nodded and quickly left his relative’s side. As he headed up the street, a few more familiar faces came into view, and he gave them an acknowledged nod as well.

  He stopped in front of a glass shop to admire the pieces of art made by the owner through the shop window. Within seconds, eeriness crept over him, and he got the distinct feeling he was being watched. Slowly, he turned and glanced up and down the street, hoping to see the culprit that made him feel this way, but nobody was looking his way. Still, he couldn’t shake off the feeling.

  He stepped away from the shop and slowly continued up the street, every once in a while slowing when he passed another window, mainly to see if the reflection from behind him was visible in the window. Finally, he noticed a man from across the street, who had stopped when Gabe had. Out of curiosity, he continued. Once again, he slowed when passing another window, and the man was keeping Gabe’s pace from across the street. This time, he noticed the man glance his way.

  The man didn’t look familiar, and he was certainly not dressed as a naval officer. But that didn’t mean anything. In this day and age, everyone was under suspicion.

  As Gabe passed an alley, he quickly turned and hurried toward the back of the building next to him. He turned the corner and took a quick glance to see if the man still followed. So far the stranger hadn’t ventured in the alley. Gabe turned, then flattened himself up against the wall.

  And waited.

  After a few minutes, he heard a noise. The small rocks in the dirt were being crunched by someone’s steps, and by the uneven thuds in the dirt, this let Gabe know the stranger was in a hurry.

  When the other person came into view, Gabe grabbed the man. The reed-thin man gasped and jerked his head up to look at Gabe, his hat falling off in the process. Sweat beaded his forehead and the scalp shown by his thinning hair.

  “What do you want with me,” Gabe asked with a growl.

  “Nothin’, Sir. I don’t eve
n know ye.” He struggled to get away.

  “If you do not know me, then why are you following me?”

  The man gulped noisily. “I’m…uh, I’m not, Sir.”

  The man continued pulling at Gabe’s arms, trying to free himself. “Then what reason do you have coming up this alley?” Gave tightened his fingers around the man’s arms.

  “I, uh…well, Sir, you see…”

  “Gabriel? Where are you?”

  Hearing his uncle’s call, startled Gabe enough to loosen his grip. The man took the opportunity to kick Gabe’s shin. When he let go, the man took off back down the alley toward the street, bumping into to Henry. Gabe shot off after the stranger, but the pain in his shin kept him from running fast. When he reached his surprised uncle, Gabe stopped.

  “What in the blazes was that all about?”

  “I wish I knew.” Gabe bent and rubbed the bruise on his shin. “That man was following me, which is why I went up the alley. Before I could get anything out of him, you called.”

  Henry frowned. “Why was he following you?”

  “Once again, Uncle, that’s something I wish I knew.” Grumbling under his breath, he stood and met his uncle’s worried gaze. “What is it that you want?”

  “Well, you left in such a rush, I could not understand what was wrong.”

  “Forgive me, Uncle. I felt as if someone was watching us. I left to see if that person would follow,” he said, not quite telling the whole truth. He limped back toward the inn as his uncle walked beside him.

  “Did he look familiar to you?”

  “No. Did he look familiar to you?”

  “Not at all.” Henry shook his head.

  “Well, hopefully it was just some man waiting to rob me.”

  Henry gasped as he slowed his steps. “Hopefully? Do you mean you wanted it to be worse?”

  “No, Uncle. I’m hoping it was not someone who had anything to do with Lady Sarah or Miss Emmie.”

  “Oh, I understand now.” He lifted his chin and walked faster. “Well, I had not planned on taking Lady Sarah to any social gatherings.”

  “Good.”

  “However, Mr. Phillips has invited me and my family to his dinner party tonight.”

  It was Gabe’s turn to stop. “What did you tell him?” He glared, hoping he didn’t have to argue with his uncle out here in front of everyone.

  “I told him we would be delighted.”

  Gabe’s mind quickly started planning. He would not go with his uncle to this dinner. However…this was the very excuse Gabe needed to help Emmie find her mother. He would act as his uncle’s driver, and hopefully nobody would notice that Emmie came along as the footman. This opportunity would give her the chance to look for her mother. If this party didn’t give them what they’d hoped for, Gabe would attend the next party his uncle was invited to if only to ask questions about Emmie’s mother’s location.

  “Well,” Gabe answered, “we will not be delighted to attend Mr. Phillips’ dinner. You, Aunt Martha, and Rebecca can go, but I cannot.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I have other plans.”

  “Like what?”

  Gabe folded his arms. “Do you recall when I mentioned I was going to have my crew meet me here?”

  “I do.”

  “That’s what I’m doing this evening. However, to keep my disguise and not draw undo attention to myself, I need to act as your driver when you attend this gathering with Mr. Phillips.”

  “Are you jesting?” Henry’s eyes widened.

  “Not at all. People will not care about a servant meeting in secret with other men.”

  Henry shrugged. “Perhaps.”

  “Well, this is what I need to do. Will you help me without saying anything to Aunt Martha or Rebecca?”

  “Indeed, I shall help you, my boy.”

  “I thank you, Uncle. Your silence will assist me immensely.”

  Excitement built in Gabe’s chest, making him impatient to get back to the inn to tell Emmie. He clasped his hands behind him and rocked back and forth on his heels. So perhaps he was a little impatient and couldn’t exactly hide it. Then again, this was the very thing needed to be alone with her. The anticipation was almost too much to bear.

  * * * *

  Emmie pulled her hat lower on her forehead, for fear one of Gabe’s family would recognize her sitting on top of the carriage. She waited while he helped his uncle, aunt, and cousin in the vehicle before he climbed on top and sitting next to her.

  He smiled at her and winked. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, I am,” she said softly, not knowing if his family would be able to hear their conversation inside the carriage. “But I’m more nervous than anything.”

  “Well, if it makes a difference, you look perfect for the part of footman.” He tapped her leg.

  She chuckled and shook her head. “I cannot believe you would admit that.”

  “Me, either.”

  “Thank you for finding me these clothes.”

  “You are most welcome.”

  He flicked the horse’s reins and their small journey began.

  She folded her hands and rested them in her lap, but the jerky movements of the carriage had her bumping into Gabe much too often, and sometimes she didn’t know if she would fall off or not. Finally, he glanced down at her. “Hold on to my arm.”

  Nodding, she did as he asked—then wished she hadn’t. How could she have forgotten his strong muscles? He was built so perfectly, she feared she would not want to release him once they arrived at the party. Still, it was rather nice to sit so close and hold him in such a way. It reminded her of when they came back from her grandmother’s house.

  “Gabe?”

  He glanced down at her. “Yes, my lady.”

  She giggled and shook her head. “You don’t need to call me that anymore.”

  “Why? Our wager was for a whole week.”

  “I know, but because I cannot dress the way you had asked for our wage, I don’t think we should continue it.”

  “But it was so enjoyable, I don’t want to stop playing.”

  “You are incorrigible.” She smiled.

  “Thank you for that compliment.”

  She nearly spit out a laugh. “But what I wanted to ask was…well, do you think I will see my mother tonight?”

  “My dear Emmie, I wish your dreams will come true tonight, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. I don’t know Mr. Phillips, so I cannot tell you what kind of people he will have at his dinner party. However, since your mother is a companion of Mrs. Estelle Winterbourne, we first need to know if the old widow was invited. If not, we need to ask who knows this lady. Once we find this woman, we will find your mother.”

  She frowned and sighed. “I don’t think it will be easy, but it’s so hard not to hope.”

  “I understand.” He placed his hand over her fingers still clinging to his arm and squeezed tenderly. “If I could make this night special for you, I would.”

  “You already have.” She smiled again.

  When they came upon the house, she pulled away from Gabe, preparing herself for the role of footman. Once Gabe stopped the carriage, she jumped down and opened the door. Mr. Hampton was the first to exit the carriage. His gaze met hers briefly as he stepped to the ground, but within seconds, his head whipped around so fast she thought it might fall off. When he met her stare, his eyes widened in shock. Inwardly, she groaned. He recognizes me!

  Thankfully, he didn’t say anything, but he helped his wife and then his daughter out of the carriage. Emmie closed the door, then proceeded to climb back up. Gabe’s strong hand was there to assist. She grabbed on to it as he finished pulling her up. He then led the team of horses to the side of the house. After securing the brake, he jumped down then helped Emmie down.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Ready for what?”

  “We are going to sneak around back and find a place to hide where we can watch the party, yet keep out o
f sight.”

  Nodding, her smile stretched. She wanted to badly to take his hand, but other drivers were watching, so she didn’t want to go with her first instincts.

  Once they rounded the house and were away from curious eyes, Gabe made the first move to hold her hand. Her heart hammered with excitement and she couldn’t stop herself from cuddling close to him as they sneaked around to find a place to hide. The tall hedges would provide the perfect spot. From their spot, they could still see inside the large windows at the gathering guests.