Chapter Eight

W ith a sigh of apathy, Emmie closed the book she'd finished reading and rested it on her lap. It had been three weeks now since arriving in Greenwich, and as the days lagged on, she realized just how dull the life of a lady's companion was.

She attended Lady Sarah like a dutiful companion—well, at least as well as she could. She helped Anna dress every morning, since the Cramptons' maid was busy with Miss Rebecca. Emmie accompanied Anna downstairs for breakfast, but usually, they were the only ones in the room eating, since Mr. and Mrs. Crampton had already partaken of the meal, and Rebecca was still dressing. After breakfast, Emmie and Anna took a stroll through Mrs. Crampton's flower garden, but after that, Rebecca controlled Anna's time pretty much the rest of the day.

Slouching on the sofa, Emmie parted her legs in an unladylike manner underneath the overly large dress as she slid her stockinged feet on the polished wooden floor, thinking about what to do next. Did her boredom stem back to her masquerading, or did the useless feeling come from watching Broderick court Anna? Lately, she'd been thinking about asking him about Mr. Crampton's relative—Captain Hawk. But would Broderick be so open with her about the notorious pirate?

For some reason, Mr. Crampton had given Emmie permission to ride his horses any time she wished. It seemed odd that he would say that, but she wasn't about to argue. She loved riding, even if it was sidesaddle—although she did prefer astride—but after weeks of riding, even that became boring.

During these times, she thought of her father. She prayed he fared well in this time of turmoil, but in the back of her mind, she wished it would all come to an end. She worried that someone would know she was the lord chancellor's niece, and they would blame her for the double role she played.

She noticed that Broderick also played double roles. Although he acted interested in Anna, he also tried to keep Emmie entertained. Because she had to accompany Lady Sarah whenever Broderick took her on a ride or a walk, sometimes it seemed he talked more to Emmie than Anna. During these times, her heart softened, and she became weak in the knees. The steamy kiss they had shared not too long ago was permanently in her mind, and it wasn't healthy to daydream so often.

And the pond…

Sighing, she slipped farther down into the cushions of the couch, lifting the book to cover the cheeks she knew were flaming from the memory. She didn't know how much of her body he had seen, but it was so very improper. Yet why did she receive flutters in her stomach every time she thought about how he'd wanted to take a bath with her?

Loud footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the library, and she straightened to see who was coming to invade her private time. When Rebecca and Anna walked inside, Emmie sat up straight and slipped back into her role.

Anna's brown eyes jumped with excitement, but before she could say anything, Rebecca smiled haughtily.

"Miss Emmie? Might I have a word?"

"Certainly, Miss Rebecca."

"My father and mother are taking Lady Sarah and myself to London tomorrow to do some shopping, and then to see an opera afterward. We will be gone for two, perhaps three days. I need you to get trunks packed for the journey."

Emmie's heart picked up rhythm. London for the opera? How thrilling. She tried not to express her joy but kept a pleasant smile when she nodded. "Lady Sarah and I will be ready, I assure you."

Anna stepped to her and clasped her hands. "Oh, Emmie, this will be so fun. I can hardly wait. We will have the grandest time—"

"We?" Rebecca cut in.

Anna glanced at the other woman. "Yes. My companion and I—"

"Heavens no, my lady. Miss Emmie will remain here."

Emmie's heart dropped to her stomach, and although she wanted to ask why Rebecca didn't want her to go, Emmie already knew. That woman was so mean and selfish, Emmie would probably spend most of the trip teaching her manners, she was sure. She glanced at Anna and frowned.

Anna shook her head. "Miss Crampton, Emmie has to come."

Rebecca's false smile pricked Emmie's temper, making her want to physically lash out at the obtuse woman.

"Miss Emmie won't be needed, since you will be with me and my parents." Rebecca threw a glare toward Emmie then quickly diverted her attention back to Anna. "Our maid Nancy will be traveling with us, and she'll help you however you need. Besides, Nancy is used to hard labor and will do an exceptional job."

Anna's happy expression disappeared when a frown claimed her face. Emmie pursed her lips tight. Apparently, Miss Crampton didn't think Emmie worked very hard.

She nodded to Rebecca then looked at Anna. "I will have your things ready, Lady Sarah." Then, before she was tempted to put Rebecca in her place, she quickly spun around and left the room.

Storming into Anna's room, Emmie yanked open the closet doors and pulled out the trunks. "I'm not used to hard labor?" she mumbled to herself as she stuffed a dress into the trunk. "Who does Miss Crampton think she is to judge me so harshly?"

The bedroom door opened, and Anna flew in. She ran to Emmie and grabbed her hands. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know—"

"Anna," Emmie interrupted. "I realize what Miss Crampton thinks of me. Most of the Cramptons' servants think I am slothful, too, so it's only natural for Miss Crampton to think her maid can do more."

"But what should I say to change her mind?"

Emmie shook her head. "There's nothing you can say. Leave it alone. I will be fine right here at the estate. You go and have fun for the both of us."

"But it's not right."

"I know that, but we must let the matter rest. There is nothing either of us can do or say, since we are both guests here."

Frowning, Anna nodded as she moved to one of the armories and pulled out a gown. Emmie didn't stop her, only because she lacked the strength to say anything as discouragement sat heavily on her heart. They both packed the trunk in silence. Once in a while, Emmie glanced at Anna, but when she noticed her friend's watery eyes, she quickly looked away before she started crying, too.

Soon, the swishing of petticoats against the skirt of a dress was heard in the hall. Seconds later, Rebecca stood in the doorway holding two teacups. Her expression wavered between happiness and irritation. Emmie wished she knew she could read the other woman better.

"There has been a change of plans," she said. "Apparently, my father thought it best that we invite Miss Emmie to go with us."

Emmie's heart lifted. What a wonderful man! If he were standing here right now, she'd probably hug him.

"How exciting!" Anna cheered as the tears disappeared from her eyes. "Now we must get your trunk packed."

"Yes, um… that's what I thought too," Rebecca said in a rush. "So I brought up some tea for both of you." She handed Emmie a cup first, then Anna.

Emmie eyed the other woman carefully. Rebecca was certainly acting out of character—being nice, that was.

"Thank you, Miss Crampton." She took the teacup from her.

Anna took hers and sipped. As Emmie drank her tea, she watched Rebecca over the rim of the cup. Something was definitely not right. From the way the other woman's sinister eyes watched Emmie, the hairs on the back of her neck stood. Did she want to travel to London with such a calculating woman?

Sighing heavily, Rebecca offered a faux smile, turned, and hurried out of the room. Emmie was even leerier of the woman's actions now.

Once they were finished packing, Anna returned downstairs, but Emmie wasn't feeling well. By the time dinner was served, her stomach was roiling, and she stayed upstairs in her bedroom. The tang of the tea still lingered in her mouth and tasted very different from what she'd drunk before. For some reason, her stomach didn't like whatever it was Rebecca had given her. Yet Anna seemed just fine.

The night passed too slowly. Emmie couldn't sleep because she was running to the chamber pot too often, upheaving whatever it was that irritated her stomach. By the next morning, she was too tired and weak to even get out of bed. When Anna and Rebecca came to Emmie's room, she didn't have the strength to even smile.

"Oh, dear." Anna touched her hand to Emmie's cold face. "Miss Crampton, I don't think we should go to London with Emmie this sick."

"How sad," Rebecca said with entirely too much bounce in her voice. "Well, everything is already in place for us to travel." She pouted, although Emmie knew it was all for show.

"Go on without me," Emmie whispered brokenly.

Rebecca tapped Anna's arm. "I'll let our servants know to take special care of Miss Emmie while we are gone."

Confusion caused Anna's eyes to narrow as her forehead creased. "I don't know. Maybe I should stay—"

"Absolutely not," Rebecca said quickly. "Miss Emmie will be just fine." She glared at Emmie. "Won't you?"

If this were any other day, Emmie would have loved to argue with her. But she just didn't have it in her now. "Yes, I shall be just fine. I'm actually feeling slightly better than I did last night," she lied.

Frowning, Anna folded her arms. "Well, all right, if you insist."

"I do," Emmie whispered.

When the two women left, Emmie groaned and turned in her bed, pulling the blanket up higher. She needed rest badly.

By midafternoon, she was back to feeling normal. It was strange that the stomach ailment would affect her in such a way. Her mind was working better as well, and she knew Rebecca had put something in her tea to make her so sick. That was the reason the insufferable woman had acted the way she had.

On the second day, Emmie decided she wasn't going to sit around and be bored, and would do something instead. She changed into her riding habit—not Anna's, but hers —and left the house. This particular riding habit wasn't as new as her others, but because it had been her favorite for over a year, it was well worn, so she didn't think any of the Cramptons' servants would question why she was wearing one of Lady Sarah's outfits.

Emmie ran right to the stables. As she entered, the stable boy stood talking to another person. She couldn't see who it was until she moved closer and noticed Broderick. His gaze met hers, holding her prisoner. It was too late to leave now.

Staring at him nearly caused her to have heart palpitations. Every time she'd seen him before, he was dressed in fancier clothes. Now he looked more like a farmer, but he was absolutely breathtaking in his fawn-colored shirt, brown breeches, and black knee-high riding boots.

He stopped the conversation with the stable boy, who then turned to fetch a horse. Broderick smiled at her, so she returned the gesture. She still felt uncomfortable under his close scrutiny but tried to be polite, nonetheless.

"Good day, Miss Emmie. What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I have come to ride one of Mr. Crampton's horses."

He lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. "Indeed? Have you done this before?"

"Yes. Mr. Crampton gave me permission not long after Lady Sarah and I arrived."

Slowly his smile widened. "Splendid. Now we can ride together."

Her heart pounded with uncertainty, yet the idea did sound exciting. It was either that or be very bored. "Why didn't you travel to London with your aunt and uncle yesterday?"

Tapping the whip against his thigh in a steady rhythm, he moved closer. "I can do without big cities, and most especially the people there. They are just a bunch of gossipmongers, if you ask me." He paused, tilting his head as he studied her. "Why didn't you go? I heard my aunt and uncle were taking Lady Sarah to the opera. Won't you need to assist her?"

She shrugged. "According to your cousin, her maid will suffice just nicely for both of them. Miss Rebecca was determined that I shouldn't go with Lady Sarah."

He stood beside her now. His gaze roamed slowly over her face, making butterflies dance in her stomach. Taking a deep breath of courage, she inhaled his intoxicating scent of leather and spice.

"I must apologize for my cousin. She can be very manipulative sometimes."

She arched an eyebrow. "Sometimes?"

He chuckled. "You are correct. She is manipulative all the time."

"Indeed."

"You look disappointed that you were not able to go," he said.

She nodded. "I, too, would have liked to see an opera in London. It would have been nice to partake of the scenery and pleasures."

"Maybe someday you will."

She shrugged. "Perhaps."

There was silence between them for the next few moments. Broderick glanced at her a few times but mostly watched inside the stable. When his attention wandered her way, a different expression touched his face. It was as if a light flickered to life in his head. His eyes widened as he turned them to her.

"I have a message for Lady Sarah. I received this yesterday, but she was out. Do you mind if I tell you instead and you can relay it to her?"

"Of course," she replied.

"Remember your carriage accident on your way to my uncle's estate?"

"How could I forget?"

"Well, apparently the authorities found your driver."

She gasped and stepped closer. "They did? Was he terribly hurt?"

"Just the opposite, in fact." Broderick shook his head. "He was drunk and spouting the truth. Apparently, he knew Lady Sarah's uncle was lord chancellor, and the driver wanted to harm her as a way to get back at her uncle."

Emmie slapped a hand over her mouth. Indeed, her father had been correct to assume his daughter might be in trouble. Breathing slower, she lowered her hand. "But we switched carriages before we even set foot in Greenwich. How did the driver know?"

"I'm assuming the first driver you had told him."

"That could have happened."

"Apparently, the second driver released the horses before jumping off the vehicle just as it traveled down the slope. That's why the coach turned over the way it did."

She nodded, blinking back tears. Was her family safe anywhere? Still, if these citizens knew that she really did side with them and not her uncle, perhaps they would not want to harm her. "I thank you for letting me know. I shall inform Lady Sarah as soon as she returns."

"Yes. She would definitely like to know."

Panic welled in her chest, and she grasped Broderick's arm. "Mr. Worthington, could I ask you a favor?"

"Anything," he said in a soft voice.

"Please don't say anything about the lord chancellor being related to Lady Sarah. That is why we are here. The earl wanted to protect his daughter."

"I understand. I only hope the driver and the authorities haven't gossiped about it."

"I hope not, too, or Lady Sarah's father will be sending us somewhere else."

"No." Broderick slid his palm against hers. "I will protect you. Both of you."

At that moment, the stable boy brought around an amazing black stallion, temporarily taking her mind off her troubles. Emmie knew a purebred when she saw one, and this horse was top of the line. Her father owned several, which she rode back home.

Broderick looked at her again with a gleam in his eyes. "Emiline, would you like to join me for a friendly and relaxing jaunt around the countryside?"

She still didn't know if she dared be alone with him. Her body had betrayed her before, not only with the kiss but when she was in the pond. Good thing he couldn't read her mind at that time, since it was full of improper thoughts.

But now… She wanted to be with someone. Anyone. Loneliness didn't make a good companion. If they became better friends and he started to trust her, then she might ask him about his relative, Captain Hawk.

"All over the countryside?" she asked. "Not just inside the estate, but outside of it, also?"

His smile was full now, showing off his straight, pearly white teeth. "You have seen enough of the estate, so why not see more of England's beautiful country?"

Returning a smile, she quickly made her decision. "I would love to join you, Mr. Worthington."

"Splendid." He turned to the stable boy. "Put a sidesaddle on Princess so that Miss Emmie can ride her."

"Actually," she quickly cut in, "I prefer a regular saddle."

Broderick glanced over her riding habit. "Are you certain?"

"Yes. I'll be able to ride just fine in this." She picked at her skirt.

Not much time later, the stable boy brought out a white thoroughbred mare, the most amazing horse she had ever seen. "Oh my," she gasped, and walked to the horse, patting its nose. "You are going to let me ride her?"

The young lad looked at Broderick, who gave him a small nod, then back to her. "Yes, miss. You can ride Princess."

The boy moved to give Emmie assistance, but she flipped her hand to move him away. "Thank you, but I can mount by myself."

The stable boy shrugged and turned to help Broderick, but he mounted without any assistance. The boy threw up his hands and walked away.

Without thinking, Emmie pulled her skirt up almost to her knees, helping her to mount better. Once she was sitting astride and had her garment in place, she glanced at Broderick. His eyes were wide and still directed at her legs. Inwardly, she groaned. If her father knew she'd just given a man a glimpse of her stockinged legs, her hide would be raw by nightfall.

After clearing his throat, Broderick switched his focus to look straight ahead as he pulled the reins and turned his horse. Emmie followed him until they trotted side by side. He rode with ease and skill. So refined. So much like a nobleman. She was certain he would have made a fine man of peerage. It was too bad his circumstances had left him untitled.

After a few awkward minutes, she finally breathed a sigh of relief that Broderick hadn't commented on her improper display not too long ago, and she finally let the excitement of their ride consume her. Although being alone with Broderick made her nervous, she couldn't stop giddiness from filling her as he began his tour of the countryside. Not only was her heart beating witlessly, her mind jumped everywhere at once.

"You know," she began, speaking her thoughts as they came, "I used to ride a horse just like yours back home when—" She quickly stopped then mentally scolded herself. She shouldn't have told him that. After all, she had told him a story of how she was a poor relation, and people like that didn't own thoroughbreds.

Broderick raised his eyebrows in question. "You rode a stallion? Just like this one?" he repeated. "Was it your horse or Lady Sarah's?"

"It was… Actually, it was her father's horse, but Lady Sarah allowed me to ride it, and she rode the mare." His gaze narrowed on her. She quickly thought of something to add. "Because of my upbringing, she knew I could handle the stallion better." Once again, she silently chided herself for saying whatever was in her mind. After all, how was a poor relative going to handle a thoroughbred better than a mare?

"Pray tell, Miss Emmie, why don't you tell me about your most curious upbringing?"

Think, Emmie! "Perhaps I will when the time is right." She lifted her chin and pushed her horse a little faster. He kept her pace with his animal.

"How good are you at riding?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

Her heartbeat picked up rhythm. "I'm actually not as good at riding as I am at… racing." She dug her brown calf-high boots into the sides of the mare, taking off ahead of him, laughing over her shoulder as she passed.

He shouted with laughter before the thunder of the horse's hooves caught up to her. Knowing him, he would try his hardest to show her that a woman didn't know the first thing about racing. After a few moments of him still being the one in the rear, she hoped he would change his attitude about her.

She glanced behind her. His hard expression let her know he was serious in his pursuit as he leaned forward in his saddle, pushing the animal faster. When she finally allowed him to catch up, his expression changed. Now he looked hurt, yet surprised.

She stopped her horse, and he did the same. "I apologize, Mr. Worthington. Please forgive me for laughing, but if you could see the look on your face right now…" She couldn't hold it back any longer and laughed harder.

He growled, and his brown eyes darkened. Fear grasped her as her blood turned cold. Upsetting him was the last thing she wanted to do, especially now that they were becoming friends. She needed to think of something to change his attitude quickly—or at least make him smile.