Chapter Fifteen

W ith a spring in his step and a happy tune on his mind, Broderick hurried out of his room at the inn and downstairs. The journey to Brighton had mostly gone smoothly—except for those blasted snakes slithering in the road that he had to shoot, which, of course, startled everyone. But once they reached the town, he had registered everyone in a room under his name so that nobody knew Lady Sarah was in Brighton.

Uncle Henry was in the main room visiting with the innkeepers. When he saw Broderick, he motioned to come over.

Broderick glanced around the spacious area as he walked toward Henry, hoping to see Emiline and Lady Sarah, but they were not there. He stopped beside his uncle and smiled. "Good morning, Uncle Henry. I trust you slept well."

"As well as could be expected." Henry chuckled and turned his attention to the innkeepers. "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. Brighton's weather was lovely so far this morning, with the promise of getting better as the day progressed. This would be the perfect time to take a stroll along the boardwalk with a beautiful lady. Emiline 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 yesterday with a daughter who complained about everything, I would rather be with my nephew for a little while."

"I did hear how unhappy she was when I passed by your carriage a few times."

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

They both laughed.

As they walked, Henry talked about the weather and the town. Broderick 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 he wouldn't think about wanting to be back at the inn with Emiline.

Thankfully, the town was awake, and many people were doing their daily shopping. Soon, Henry's name was called, and both Broderick and his uncle stopped. A friend of Henry's came to greet them. From the introductions, Broderick 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 Broderick swept his gaze up and down the street at the different buildings, the only thing going through his mind was taking Emiline 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. Broderick acknowledged the man with a slight nod, not wanting to bring attention to either one of them. It was good to know the note Broderick had sent Phillip had been answered quickly. Now Broderick wondered where Phillip was holing up, or if his friend was even in Brighton yet.

Broderick turned back to his uncle and the other man and politely made his excuses. Uncle Henry gave him a curious stare, but Broderick 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 each a nod as well.

He stopped in front of a glass shop to admire the pieces of art 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 he couldn't see anyone. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling.

He stepped away from the shop and slowly continued up the street, and when passing another window, he checked the reflection to see if anyone was following him. Finally, he noticed a man from across the street who had stopped when Broderick had. Out of curiosity, he continued. Once again, he slowed when passing another window, and the man was keeping Broderick's pace. This time, he noticed the man glance his way.

The man wasn't familiar, and he wasn't dressed as a naval officer. But that didn't mean anything. In these treacherous times, everyone was under suspicion.

As Broderick passed an alley, he quickly 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 into the alley. Broderick flattened himself 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 the uneven thuds let Broderick know the stranger was in a hurry.

When the other person came into view, Broderick grabbed the man. The reed-thin man gasped and jerked his head up to look at Broderick, 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?" Broderick asked with a growl.

"Nothin', sir. I don't even know ye." The man 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 Broderick's arms, trying to free himself. "Then what reason do you have coming up this alley?" Broderick tightened his fingers around the man.

"I, uh… Well, sir, you see…"

"Broderick? Where are you?"

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

"What in the blazes was that all about?"

"I wish I knew." Broderick 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, Broderick stood and met his uncle's worried gaze. "What is it that you want?"

"Well, you left in such a rush, I couldn't 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, and his uncle walked beside him.

"Did he look familiar to you?" Henry asked.

"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 wasn't 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. Goodfellow has invited me and my family to his dinner party tonight."

It was Broderick'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."

Broderick quickly started planning. He would not go with his uncle to this dinner. However, this was the very excuse he needed to help Emiline find her mother. He would act as his uncle's driver, and hopefully, nobody would notice that Emiline 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 hoped for, Broderick would attend the next party his uncle was invited to, if only to ask questions about her mother's location.

"Well," Broderick answered, " we will not be delighted to attend Mr. Goodfellow's dinner. You, Aunt Martha, and Rebecca can go, but I cannot."

"Why not?"

"Because I have other plans."

"Like what?"

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

"I do."

"That is what I'm doing this evening. However, to keep my disguise and not draw undue attention to myself, I need to act as your driver when you attend this gathering with Mr. Goodfellow."

"Are you jesting?" Henry's eyes widened.

"Not at all. People won't 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 keep your secret."

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

Excitement built in Broderick's chest, making him impatient to get back to the inn to tell Emiline. He clasped his hands behind him and rocked back and forth on his heels. This was the very thing he 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 Broderick'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 sat next to her.

He smiled at her and winked. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," 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 a footman." He tapped her leg.

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

"Me either."

"Thank you for finding these clothes for me."

"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 Broderick 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 muscular frame? 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.

"Broderick?"

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 asked for our wager, 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 spat out a laugh. "But what I wanted to ask was… Well, do you think I will see my mother tonight?"

"My dear Emiline, I wish your dreams could come true tonight, but I don't want you to get your hopes up. I don't know Mr. Goodfellow, 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 Mrs. Winterbourne, 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 Broderick, preparing herself for the role of footman. Once Broderick stopped the carriage, she jumped down and opened the door. Mr. Crampton was the first to exit the carriage. His gaze met hers briefly as he stepped to the ground, but within seconds, he whipped his head 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 and then proceeded to climb back up. Broderick's strong hand was there to assist. She grabbed 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 off 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 and keep out of sight."

She grinned widely and nodded. She wanted so badly to take his hand, but other drivers were watching, so she didn't want to go with her first instinct.

Once they rounded the house and were away from curious eyes, Broderick made the first move to hold her hand. Her heart hammered with excitement, and she couldn't stop 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 of the gathering guests.

She studied each woman carefully, hoping to see a resemblance to what she remembered her mother had looked like, but so far nobody had met those qualifications. As each minute passed, her hopes dropped lower.

A warm hand rested on her back and drew small circles. She looked up into Broderick's caring eyes.

"Don't rush things. It will happen, just maybe not today."

She nodded as tears stung her eyes. He turned her and pulled her into his embrace. She pressed her face against his chest, slowly breathing in his masculine scent of spice. Although she tried to fight the tears, they wanted to come anyway.

"Broderick, I know. I just never expected to see my mother again. And now that I'm so close—" She choked up.

"Shh… No need to explain. I understand."

She lifted her head and gazed into the shadow of his eyes. "I'm so happy you are here with me."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "Not as happy as I am to be with you right now."

When his gaze dropped to her lips, her heart raced with anticipation. But after a few seconds when he didn't kiss her, she rose on tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his. His arms tightened around her as he kissed her back with great urgency, slanting his mouth over hers to deepen the kiss.

Heavens, but she couldn't help but love him at this moment. He was such a kind, caring, and tender man. She never wanted this to end. She wanted to kiss him for the rest of her life.

Just as she prepared herself to tell him her feelings, the bushes rustled, and a loud gasp ripped through the air.

"Broderick Worthington! Pray, what are you doing with that… boy?"