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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Gabriel? Would you come here for a moment?” Henry called as Gabe 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’d talked to his uncle in the study. Gabe 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 red coat covering a golden shirt, and matching red breeches. Indeed, he looke
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Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Eleven
With 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 she’d arrived in Hampshire, 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 close to one. She helped Anna dress every morning since Nancy was busy with Miss Crampton. 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 f
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Twelve
Unrest roiled in Gabe’s stomach. He hated to be bested. He especially hated to be bested by this slip of a woman. Determination settled in his bones. There was no way he was going to lose a horse race to a woman. Even in her outdated riding habit—that actually fit her better than the other dresses had—she was all woman, soft and desirable. Excitement flushed her face, causing her eyes to twinkle like stars. Lips soft and red, turned up in a smile.When she laughed, her whole face lit up with enthusiasm. Of course now she wore a panicked expression. Probably because she sensed his irritation. Sighing deeply, he smiled, which made the smile return to her pretty face.
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Thirteen
Emmie cursed under her breath. Dare she weave more into her web of lies? Or could she trust him with the truth? As much as she wanted to trust him, the simple fact was that she didn’t know Gabe very well at all. She didn’t know the Crampton’s, either. Would they frown upon her father’s decision of wanting to keep his daughter’s identity hidden? She doubted they would understand.Steadying her heartbeat, she turned and looked up at him. She thought back to the story Anna had told him about Lady Sarah, and Emmie knew she couldn’t give him that story. She presented Gabe with a sweet smile. “I was born here in England to a struggling farmer and his sickly
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Fourteen
Emmie huddled closer to the horse for warmth as the sheeting rain fell in buckets around her, soaking her clothes. The rain came earlier than expected, and as she and Gabe searched through the small village for a place to stay, the town seemed too busy closing their shops for the night to help the two weary—and drenched—strangers.As they passed through the muddy streets, the chance of finding a place to stay seemed bleak. Desperation fell over Emmie, and she would take anything, even a stable, just to get out of the rain. Glancing at Gabe, his droopy expression let her know he felt the same hopelessness.
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Fifteen
Gabe’s grin widened and his eyes sparkled. “I wouldn’t dare?” He moved his head closer to hers as he took a lock of her hair and caressed it. “Are you certain of that?”Emmie sank in the bed, the back of her head slowly burying in the pillow, but his face continued closing in. Did she really want him to kiss her? Heaven help her, yes she did!She closed her eyes just as his mouth touched hers. His lips were so soft this time, and she wasn’t prepared for the jolt of passion shooting through her. She wasn’t going to fight him, especially when his upper body moved
Let's Create a Wonderland (book 3) Sixteen
Emmie 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
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
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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…
