Free Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) by Marie Higgins Page B

male heir next in line.
     
    But now… Now, no matter what he decided, he must stay here a few more weeks. He must keep his identity—and hair color—hidden.
     
    Stopping the horse on the top of a knoll, Gabe looked out over the countryside, breathing the fresh air. He relaxed slightly. Soon he’d be able to decide his future, but right now, this break refreshed him.
     
    Out of nowhere, something Miss Emmie had said to him came to mind, making him chuckle. She accused him of trying to make Lady Sarah fall in love with him because he was a penniless man. The lady’s companion would probably faint dead away if she knew exactly how much money he had—and that he was just given a title. But to her he was a normal man. He grinned wider. At least he knew he was playing his part well.
     
    Miss Emmie was a strange little woman. Over the past two days, he had been with Lady Sarah quite a bit. He’d taken her on a few carriage rides and even on picnics. Emmie made it obvious through her glares that she didn’t approve. Sometimes he wondered if he courted the duke’s daughter just to get a reaction from her companion.
     
    It was rather funny, now that he thought about it, because Emmie hadn’t met his gaze since he’d kissed her. However, she still watched Lady Sarah closely, and had an even closer eye on him.
     
    He’d also made it a pastime of late to watch the lady’s companion. He couldn’t understand why he thought Lady Sarah looked out of place, and especially why she didn’t act as bold as her companion. Yet bold as Miss Emmie was, she still displayed a face of innocence. Her crimson blushes gave it away.
     
    Swiping his hand across his moist brow, he kicked the horse into a gallop and rode in a different direction. Since the weather was warmer than it had been in a few days, he decided to take another swim in his uncle’s pond. Just thinking about the cool water cascading down his heated body made him urge the animal faster.
     
    He neared the secluded spot and stopped the horse. As he tied the reins to a tree branch, the sound of splashing permeated the air. Since tall trees surrounded the pond, he couldn’t exactly see who had invaded his bathing place, so he hurried toward the water.
     
    The first thing he saw was an ugly gray dress lying on a rock. Gabe shook his head and held in a chuckle. Miss Emmie. He really should leave so that she could have some privacy. He was, after all, a gentleman of sorts, but he was in the mood to tease a little. Actually, this time he would tease a lot. How could he not since it had been his first instinct since meeting her?
     
    Gabe waited until she emerged before doing or saying anything. The water slapped against her shoulders, but didn’t show him anything below that. Stringy wet brown hair fell around her face and down her back, making her look more like a woman…and that much more alluring. Something must have gotten in her eye because she vigorously rubbed that spot with her dainty fingers. After a minute, she swiped the hair out of her face, shaking her head in the process.
     
    This was absolutely the most enticing thing he’d ever witnessed, and what made it more appealing was that she didn’t know she had an audience. The woman was naturally sensual, and this knowledge brought a tightening to his chest as his heart hammered out an uneven rhythm.
     
    Once she opened her eyes and saw him, she gasped. Her arms crossed over her chest to hide what he couldn’t see, anyway, and she squatted in the water until the liquid bobbed up around her chin.
     
    “ Mr. Lawrence?” Her voice squeaked high in panic. “What—what—are you doing here?”
     
    Her gaze combed slowly over him. Desire flowed through him from her adorable expression. May the devil take him, but he liked seeing her all flustered. Her red cheeks made her brown eyes darker.
     
    Wetting his dry lips, he exhaled through his nose, trying to remove the indescribable feelings pumping through his