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Sixteen
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Emmie pulled herself from a deep slumber. It took a lot of strength just to peel her eyes open. Exhaustion had taken its toll on her last night, and she felt as if she’d been running for three days straight. Her eyelids were heavy, and her head throbbed, yet at the same time, exhilaration blossomed in her chest. Her mother wasn’t dead after all, and the thought of finding her lifted Emmie’s spirits. Finally, they could be a family again! Perhaps then her father would cease this inane idea of trying to protect Napoleon.
Awareness surrounded her, and she realized she wasn’t in the bed she occupied while staying at the Crampton’s house. As her mind started working properly, she recalled being in Gabe’s arm
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Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Seventeen
“And this is a miniature of my wonderful husband, God rest his soul.”Gabe smiled and sat patiently as Georgia showed him nearly every picture she had in her house. Such a dear woman, and it was obvious she didn’t have many guests stop by. It surprised him that her house was so grand, mainly because Emiline didn’t mention having a wealthy family. “And after the birth of our youngest daughter, Victoria, my wonderful husband had this house built.”
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Eighteen
Gabe hooked both horses to the buggy he’d purchased from Georgia. At first she just offered it for his travels today, telling him she never used the vehicle, but he couldn’t go without giving her some kind of payment. Finally, he convinced her to take his money.Emiline walked toward him carrying a basket, and his heart leapt. She now wore a cloak that matched her gown, with a purple scarf over her hair, which thankfully didn’t hide much at all. Curses! How would he be able to handle being so close to her without wanting to take her in his arms and smother her with kisses? Her lips were sweet as honeysuckle, and her skin soft as a rose petal. Strange how in one day she turned from being a friend he took pleasure in teasi
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Nineteen
Emmie rushed upstairs to Anna’s room. She flung open the door and Anna jumped from her sitting position near the window. Her eyes wide as she stared.“Anna, I have found her!” Emmie ran to her maid and clasped her hands. “My mother is alive and I know where she is!”Anna squealed and hugged her. “Oh, my lady! I was so worried...nobody knew where you were...I thought the mob your father told us about had come and taken you.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I was at my wit’s end not knowing what had happened.”
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty
Gabe hurried through the house after he’d finished his morning ride. Talking to Emiline was top priority—even before eating the meal. He checked in the library, in the sitting rooms, even peeked outside the windows to see if she was by the stables. As each minute passed, he grew more anxious to see her. He didn’t know why. It wasn’t urgent that he speak to her right now, yet determination ran through his body and he knew he wouldn’t be able to think straight unless he could see her right away.He sprinted up the stairs and toward Lady Sarah’s room. Before reaching the door, it opened and out walked Emiline. A sigh of relief sprang to his mouth and whooshed out his lips.
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-One
True to Gabe’s word, they left the Crampton’s home without many people knowing. The few servants who assisted packing and loading the carriages also went with them. To Emmie’s surprise, they all left early in the morning. It was quite comical to see Mrs. Crampton, and especially Rebecca, sluggish and having puffy, sleepy eyes. Even Anna acted like she didn’t want to get out of bed that early. Irritation for the maid’s actions of late stung Emmie. How long had Anna been the maid? Yet now—after only a few short weeks—she was performing like a pampered, spoiled little rich girl. Emmie was put out, especially when she had never acted in such a way.Althoug
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Two
Gabe sat atop his stallion holding the still smoking rifle. “Blasted snakes,” he muttered as he searched the road for more. There had to be more, he was certain of it, and he’d shoot every last one of them if he had to.He turned to the nearest carriage. His uncle had opened the door and stuck his head out. Gabe waved his hand in the air. “All is well now, Uncle. I just shot a rattler who had gotten in my path.”“Thank the Lord you saw the snake before he could strike.”
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Three
Startled, Emmie jumped away from Gabe. He swung around in the direction of the other man’s voice, keeping his dignity...which was something she couldn’t do. A man, dressed as if he had come from the party, stood not far behind them, his eyes wide and mouth agape. Even his face had lost color.Embarrassment washed over her and scorched her cheeks. She wanted to dig a hole and crawl inside—or at least pull the hat over her face so that nobody could see her discomfort. Unfortunately, the hat wasn’t large enough to cover her whole head.Gabe chuckled, shaking his head. “No, Rufus. Yo
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Four
Emmie couldn’t sleep. Knowing she’d get to see her mother—and speak with her—kept Emmie dreaming of their meeting all night long. Once in a while she was able to think of Gabe and how wonderful he’d been to her, especially the gentle and passionate way he’d made love to her…but then her thoughts returned to her mother. Today wasn’t the day to stress about her feelings for Gabe and what she was going to do about it, and especially what she was going to say when she explained to him why she had to lie to him.An hour ago, Rebecca took the fake Lady Sarah out to stroll through town with one of the servants. Emmie was invited—which surprised her greatly—but she declined. How could s
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Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Thirty-Three
“This is perfect timing, don’t you agree?” Emmie asked excitedly as she glanced at her mother sitting across from her in their carriage. “Father’s letter sent to inform us everything was safe for us in France. He decided to come get us and meet us at Mr. Compton’s estate. The timing couldn’t have been better, I think.”Her mother nodded. “I agree.”“Did you tell him about the surprise?” Gabe asked.Emmie look
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Thirty-Two
Gabe’s mind turned numb. And he stopped breathing. This couldn’t be right. His uncle wouldn’t betray Gabe’s trust. Would he?He swung in his uncle’s direction, still holding Emmie against him. Henry, who had been standing with his head lowered, suddenly jerked his head up and glared at Lieutenant Mercer.“How dare you tell that outright lie!” Henry squared his shoulders. “I’m not your good friend, Lieutenant Mercer. And the only reason I agreed to bring Gabe to you was because you threatened to kill my daughter
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Thirty-One
Gabriel tried not to let the betrayal from his crew member show on his face—or in his speech or actions. He took a sip of his port before answering. “I see. Well, I have changed my mind. Something has happened to the woman I have been trying to protect.”Ben leaned forward on the table, a frown touching his face. “What happened?”“Lieutenant Mercer has captured her and is using her as bait to get to me.”“No! What can we do?”
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Thirty
Gabe combed most of Brighton, even going into every shop just to inquire about Lady Sarah’s whereabouts. For those few who knew her or had seen her with Mrs. Lucia, they couldn’t tell him where Emiline was, and they certainly couldn’t remember when they had seen her last. As the day passed, his hopes of finding her sank lower, and he feared he would never find her. Thankfully, Uncle Henry helped him search. If Gabe had to do this all by himself, it would have taken him longer. As the sun began its descent, Gabe didn’t know if he could give up tonight. But what else could he do if he couldn’t find her? He’d asked Elias over and over again what exactly Mercer and the other man told him, hoping there woul
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Nine
Noises grew all around Emmie as she slowly awoke. Her head pounded, and she recalled the moment one of the men who had taken her had hit her, rendering her unconscious. Groaning, she shifted, but couldn’t move. As sounds and feelings slowly came to her, she realized her arms were tied in back of her, and her feet were secured tightly to the chair in which her captors had placed her. Even a blindfold had been placed over her eyes. Her body ached from being in this position, and panic welled within her chest.Voices from not far away, echoed in the room. She kept still and listened intently as she tried
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Eight
Gabe sat at the small desk inside his room at the inn as he wrote correspondences to his friends, William Braxton and Marcus Thorne. Gabe needed all the help he could get in dealing with Mercer, and Braxton and Thorne were as qualified as any man Gabe could think of right now. Over the years, he’d kept in touch with both of his friends, happy to know they succeeded in having such successful marriages. William had two children with Mercedes—twins, a boy and girl, and Marcus and Isabelle just had their first child—a boy. One day Gabe hoped to join the rank of father, and with any luck, Emmie would hold the title of his wife very soon.
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Seven
Gabe walked into the inn, bypassing the section leading toward the bedrooms, and entered the dining area. Immediately Rufus raised his hand from the table where he sat to get Gabe’s attention. He nodded and proceeded to his friend’s table. “Good evening, Daughtery.”“And a pleasant evening to you.” Rufus motioned to the empty chair. “I have already ordered us the inn’s special for tonight—mutton and potatoes—which I’m assuming they will bring shortly.”
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Six
Emmie saw him…and she held her breath. Although he wasn’t glaring at her as she suspected he would, the pain of betrayal on his expression was evident through his dark eyes and rigid jaw. Her heart clenched in sorrow. She really needed to talk to him—privately. But they couldn’t do that now.When Elias noticed Gabe, he waved and quickened his step until he stood in front of him. “Good afternoon, Lord Wilshire.”The frown Gabe was wearing tweaked slightly into a smile. “Good day.”
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twenty-Five
Gabriel sat at the rickety table inside a tavern, sipping his ale. He wanted to drink himself into a stupor but had learned by now the consequences of drinking were not so good. He needed a clear head to think—and because of his way of life, he had to be cautious from sunup to sundown. A few times in his life he wasn’t cautious, which got him into trouble. One episode nearly got him hanged. Since then, he’d learned to be very leery of everyone. So then why was he idiotic enough to let his heart get involved with a woman? Never had he felt this way about a woman, but he should have known better than to fall in love…
