Chapter Seven

"B roderick? Would you come here for a moment?" Henry called as Broderick stepped outside through the side doors, preparing to head toward the stables.

He swore under his breath. Not again! It had been a few days since he had talked to his uncle in the study. Broderick didn't want to have to rehash the same words.

Hesitantly, he turned away from the stables and made his way to the green patch of lawn where his aunt, uncle, and cousin stood with Lady Sarah playing trundling hoop and roll. Henry looked dashing in his tan coat covering a white shirt and matching tan breeches. Indeed, he looked as if he was headed to a political meeting instead of playing outdoor games with his family.

Aunt Martha always dressed properly in her silver and white day dress with white neck lace kerchief covering her neck and shoulders, and a bonnet sitting on her head. Rebecca wore something similar to her mother, just without the kerchief, and her sleeves were not as long. In fact, the bodice of her gown was lower cut, as well. Ringlets circled his cousin's head underneath her bonnet. To be sure, Rebecca appeared most wanton in her attire, and Broderick pitied the man who wound up married to his cousin.

By far, Lady Sarah's gown was of a more expensive cut, and almost fit her too tight. She wore the neck lace kerchief, yet he could tell it didn't do her justice because it didn't hide how her bosom almost spilled over the top of her bodice.

He walked toward Henry, who came his way. "What can I do for you, Uncle?"

"I thought you would like to play a game with us. Lady Sarah mentioned she had learned a new game that expands on trundling hoop and roll, but she doesn't quite remember how to play." Henry ran his fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair and gave Broderick a crooked smile. "With your traveling abroad so much, I was hoping you had learned this game as well."

Broderick moved beside his uncle toward the little group and stopped beside the earl's daughter. "Good day, Lady Sarah," he greeted her with a smile and a bow.

"And a good day to you, Mr. Worthington." She curtsied.

"My uncle tells me you are having a problem remembering the game."

She laughed lightly. "I must admit, I cannot recall exactly how to play, but it was very enjoyable."

"Do you remember who played this game with you?"

She nodded. "I was with Emiline… er, I mean Miss Emmie, and she taught me… um…"

She stopped abruptly as if she had said something wrong. Broderick was happy to learn the companion's full name—although Emmie suited her much better for some reason.

All eyes turned toward Lady Sarah as they waited for her to finish her story.

Broderick's cousin, Rebecca, snorted a rude laugh. "Your companion taught you how to play? Are you saying this game is a servants' game?"

"Uh, well… yes, she taught me—however, I don't think it's a servants' game. I haven't played in a couple of years, but I remember it was so much fun." Lady Sarah frowned. "It is most unfortunate she isn't here right now. Perhaps she would do a better job of teaching it to us."

Broderick slapped his hands together and laughed. "I think that's a splendid idea." Everyone swung their head toward him, and their eyes widened. "Lady Sarah? Where is Miss Emmie? I shall fetch her at once and bring her into the game." Suddenly, the idea of having to play this insipid game didn't seem as boring.

Henry held up his hand. "Oh, but Broderick, I don't think—"

"But Uncle, it's a perfect suggestion. As it stands right now, I'm the odd man. If we bring Lady Sarah's companion into the game, it will make our game even with players."

As he stepped away to search for Emiline, his cousin huffed. "Father, I don't think this game needs teams."

Henry grumbled irritably, "It doesn't."

Broderick chuckled but hurried away before someone tried to stop him. He only had to ask two of his uncle's servants before finding Miss Emmie's whereabouts. It surprised him to think she was spending time in the library. But then, he was certain that most lady's companions were bored easily.

When he stepped into the library, he spotted her immediately. Today she wore an ugly brown dress—so very drab, and it didn't suit her at all. And, as before, it practically hung on her petite frame. Apparently, she hadn't made it into town to visit a dressmaker.

She sat curled on the couch with her legs tucked underneath her, shoes gone from her feet and lying haphazardly on the floor. Miss Emmie looked deeply engrossed in a book, and guilt overrode his emotions. He couldn't believe he was going to interrupt her private time just so his day could be more enjoyable. She made such a lovely picture all cozy on the couch, wearing a serious, but pleasant expression. He liked the soft color in her eyes, and the way her lips parted slightly.

He stepped closer and cleared his throat. "Good day, Miss Emmie."

Her head snapped up and she rested the book against her bosom. He was suddenly jealous of the object so close to her heart.

"Good day, Mr. Worthington." She scrambled to her feet, the book now resting where her bottom had been only moments before. "Forgive me for reading, but I was caught up with my duties, and I… um, well, I—"

"Miss Emmie," he interrupted her. "No need to fret."

"Is there something Lady Sarah needs?"

"I'm not sure about Lady Sarah, but I need you." Had his voice really deepened just now? Heavens, why had he said it that way? Her cheeks reddened and her eyes widened. Although he loved teasing her, he decided he'd better tell her why he'd sought her out. "My family requests the pleasure of your company in a game they are playing out on the back lawn."

She blinked slowly. "They do? Why?"

"Lady Sarah inadvertently let it slip that you taught her how to play a more entertaining game of trundling hoop and roll. Can this be true?"

Emmie stared at him for the longest time, her chest rising and falling at a fast clip. "It is true."

"Then you know the game well?"

"Yes."

"So, you wouldn't mind playing with me… um, I mean, us?"

"Are you certain your family requested my presence?"

"They will be delighted to have your company."

Taking a deep breath, she nodded and slipped on her shoes. Broderick remained standing where he was until she finished, and then he held out his elbow for her to take. "May I escort you outside, then?"

She looked him directly in the eyes before her gaze slipped to his mouth. A blush stole across her and she quickly looked away. "Mr. Worthington, you needn't escort me as if I were a lady of nobility. In case you have forgotten, I'm her companion—just one of Lady Sarah's poor relatives who needed employment."

Actually, he had forgotten, although right now, he didn't know why. Nonetheless, he wanted her touch on his arm. He wanted her so close he could inhale her sweet fragrance of roses—the same fragrance he had smelled that night they kissed.

"Fine, you don't have to hold on to my arm, but will you walk beside me?"

Slowly, she nodded. "I can do that."

He smiled. "I would like that very much, Emiline."

She stumbled and bumped against him and then quickly righted herself. The color in her cheeks had left, and her eyes now were laced with panic. "Who told you my name was Emiline?"

"Lady Sarah let it slip. Is there a reason you don't want me to use that name?"

"Uh, no, that's fine. Just make certain you refer to me as Miss Emmie in front of your family."

"I can do that. I think your name is lovely, and if you ask me, it suits you better."

Side by side, they walked outside to the lawn where Lady Sarah waited with his family. Broderick noticed how uncomfortable Emiline seemed when all eyes were upon her, and he thought it was probably the first time his uncle, aunt, and cousin had really gotten a good look at the woman. She tugged at the waist of her dress then smoothed her hands down the material.

Broderick decided to break the silence. "Now that we are all here, let us allow Miss Emmie to teach us how to play."

He glanced at his uncle and aunt, who stared blankly at Emiline as if the girl had two heads. Irritation ran through Broderick. Were his relatives appalled to actually be playing games with a lady's companion? He would talk to them alone about their behavior and give them a piece of his mind. After all, Emiline was a guest here, just as Lady Sarah was.

Henry cleared his throat and nodded. "Broderick is right. We shall let Miss Emmie teach us this new game." He smiled wide at his wife. "I, for one, am quite bored of trundling hoop and roll, after playing it for so many years."

"Uh…" Martha's gaze switched between Emiline and Henry a few times before she shrugged. "I think that is a splendid idea, Mr. Crampton."

Relief washed over Broderick at the knowledge that his uncle and aunt were not going to cause a scene—although Rebecca just might. Broderick handed a stick and hoop to Emiline and gave her an encouraging nod.

A shaky smile appeared on her lovely face as she took the items. "Actually, the way I have changed this game is that we will need a wooden ball as well. If you do not have one, I'm certain my ball of yarn will work."

Rebecca snickered and smartly folded her arms across her chest. "A wooden ball? Pray tell, is this a child's game?"

"Actually no, Miss Crampton," Emiline replied quickly. "Although I'm quite certain children could play without difficulty." Her grin widened, and she suddenly didn't appear as shaky as before. "So, I'm very certain you will have no problem catching on to the game—as well as everyone else, of course."

Rebecca gasped, her mouth agape. Broderick slapped a hand to his mouth to keep himself from laughing and covered his quick movement with a cough. Remarkably, his aunt and uncle didn't comment.

"Uh, I do believe we have a small wooden ball," his aunt finally said, and turned to a nearby servant. "Linus, do you know to which ball I'm referring?"

"Yes. I will fetch it right away."

During the few minutes the servant was gone, Henry and Martha directed a few questions to Emiline, inquiring about her stay here in Greenwich. The companion's tone of voice was quite different than when she had first spoken to Rebecca. Rather than showing her as the bold woman Broderick knew Emiline to be, her answers were soft, and she rarely met his aunt and uncle's gaze.

The more he studied the lady's companion, the more he wondered why she acted so differently. In front of him—and even Rebecca—she was as brash as any woman he'd ever met. Yet in front of Henry and Martha, she acted extremely shy.

When the servant brought back the small wooden ball, Emiline changed into a different person again. Confident and self-assured, she explained the new game and even demonstrated how to smack the sticks against the ball, making it roll from one end of the lawn to the other until reaching its destination inside the hoop. Indeed, Emiline was brilliant. This game would be much more enjoyable.

Soon the game began. And even though it wasn't prearranged, the group did eventually divide into partners. Broderick willingly partnered with Emiline, Rebecca with Lady Sarah, and his aunt and uncle were together.

Rebecca stamped her foot and scowled as she faced the ball. Slowly, she turned her back to the group, but it was obvious she kicked the ball instead of hitting it with the stick. When the ball didn't reach its mark, she grumbled, "This is a very senseless game, and in my opinion, the rules were not thought up correctly."

"Now, Rebecca," Henry warned. "The rest of us are enjoying it. I suggest you relax and enjoy it as well."

She huffed and planted her hands on her hips. "I don't know why we have to play this. And really, why did we pair off?" She pointed at Broderick. "He is stronger than any of us, so naturally he is going to win. It's not fair." She glared at Emiline. "And she is cheating. I just know it!"

Emiline stood beside him, hitched a breath, and squared her shoulders. "Forgive me, Miss Crampton, but I assure you I'm not the one who is cheating. I don't have to kick the ball in order to make it move."

"Augh!" Rebecca aimed her fiery blue eyes at the lady's companion. "How dare you accuse me of kicking the ball?"

"Rebecca, dear." Martha moved to her daughter and grasped her arm. "Please, just calm yourself and play the game right."

Rebecca flapped her hands in the air. "What are you saying? Do you think I'm cheating too?"

"I believe it's my turn," Henry said quickly, and moved into place.

Broderick didn't think he had ever seen his cousin so out of sorts, but he loved how Emiline could irritate the redheaded woman. When she turned her attention back to him, he winked at her, silently letting her know he approved.

"Your rules are impossible to follow," Rebecca snapped as she swiped a reddish curl off her forehead. "I cannot seem to hit the ball. It's too difficult."

"May I show you another way?" Emiline asked calmly.

Rebecca shrugged one shoulder and rolled her eyes.

"If you will," Emiline began, "imagine the ball as a head." When Rebecca gasped, the lady's companion held up her hand and continued. "Think of the head as someone you loathe and would love to take out your frustrations on." She adjusted her stance with her stick close to the ball. "For instance… if someone has been belittling me on a daily basis, and I want to take my frustrations out on that person but know I can't"—she arched an accusing eyebrow toward Rebecca—"instead, I just swat this stick against the ball as hard as I can to relieve my anger."

Focusing on the ball, Emiline nibbled her lower lip as she aimed and swung. Whack! The ball sailed across the lawn perfectly. She stepped back and pointed toward the ball. "Ahh, I feel so much better now." She grinned haughtily. "See, Miss Crampton? It works perfectly."

Rebecca grumbled and stormed toward her parents. "Did you see that?" she whined. "She was thinking of me, I just know it!"

When Broderick's cousin reached his aunt and uncle, their whispers couldn't be heard. He grinned at Emiline as she made her way back to him. Chuckling, he shook his head. "I don't know what you are trying to prove with my cousin, my dear Miss Emmie, but I'm having the most enjoyable afternoon watching you."

One side of her mouth lifted more than the other. "Prove? Pray tell, what would a mere lady's companion want to prove with your cousin?"

"Oh, I don't know, unless it's showing you are not afraid of her."

"I don't fear many people, Mr. Worthington, and most assuredly not your arrogant cousin."

The game continued, and to Broderick's greatest delight, the winner was Emiline. He held himself back from taking her in his arms to give her a congratulatory hug, only because he worried that once she was in his arms, he'd want to do more than just hug her.

He quickly shook the thought from his head. What was wrong with him lately? Why couldn't he stop thinking about the charming woman? Had he basked in their kiss that much?

He grinned. Apparently so.

"That was a splendid game," Henry cheered. "What shall we do next?"

"As much as I hate to leave this cheerful group," Broderick answered, "I have other duties that need to be dealt with at this time, so I shall wish all of you a good day and see you at evening meal." He bowed slightly and turned to leave.

"I, too, have things to do in order to get Lady Sarah's dress ready for this evening's social," Emiline added quickly. "Thank you, Mr. Crampton, for including me in this game. I really do appreciate your kindness, but I need to get back to my duties." She bowed and turned toward the house, passing Broderick on her way.

"Emiline, hold up there," he called.

She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Mr. Worthington, I really need to go—"

"Emiline, I just wanted to tell you what a good game you played, and I wanted to thank you for teaching my cousin a lesson."

She stopped and faced him. "I taught your cousin a lesson? When did I do that?"

"Dear Becky couldn't stand the fact that you won the game." He laughed. "I thought it was the best medicine she had ever tasted."

A small smile tugged on the corners of Emiline's tempting mouth. "If you think that is a good thing, then I'm certainly glad I was able to help."

"My cousin needs to be brought down a notch or two in her life, and I was happy to see it happen." He stroked her cheek with his knuckles. "Especially from you."

Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and once again, she blushed profusely.

"I thank you, Mr. Worthington," she said, stepping away from him as she reached to open the side door. "I really must be getting back. I promised Nancy I would help her get Lady Sarah's dress ready, and give her some tips on how to style her hair correctly."

The statement struck him as funny. Miss Emiline knew how to style hair correctly, when hers was always pulled back so tight her eyes nearly popped out?

Shaking away the confusing thought, he stepped past her and took hold of the door. His hand brushed against hers, and she quickly withdrew. Her eyes sparkled as she looked into his eyes. There was a certain glow about her, and it wasn't due to the sun shining on her face. Curses, she was pretty!

"I thank you, again," she whispered.

"Yes, well, I'm sorry for keeping you. Have a good afternoon, and I shall see you later."

Her smile widened as she curtsied and then quickly walked into the house. Although she was a mere companion—a poor relative, as she kept reminding him—he felt like a grand gentleman while holding the door for her. He looked forward to doing things for her just to see her radiant smile. And her eyes…

He took a deep, cleansing breath. Those mesmerizing eyes could make a man weak in the worst way.