Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) by Marie Higgins Read Free Book Online

seduce her.”
     
    Anna’s forehead creased, her gaze narrowed when she met Emmie’s glare.
     
    When Gabe claimed Anna for their walk, the only acknowledgment he gave Emmie was a nod before escorting Anna out on his arm.
     
    Emiline stood back and had no other choice but to watch them leave. Jealousy ate at her insides the longer she waited for them to return. Pacing back and forth in front of a window didn’t help her nerves any. For certain, Anna would be enjoying her evening right now and not even thinking about Emiline.
     
    Rolling her eyes, Emmie shook her head. She didn’t have any claim on Gabe. Come to think of it, he had been quite snobbish to her when they had spoken earlier at the pond. But even though her mind was trying to create bad thoughts about him, she was still curious to find out what the two of them were doing on their walk right now.
     
    Glancing around the hall, she hoped nobody would care that she disappeared outside. But since everyone treated her as a ghost, she was certain not to have anyone stop her. She grinned. Her entertainment was just beginning.
     
    Emiline crept out the side door and onto the terrace. Casually, as not to draw attention, she walked to the edge of the lawn and scanned the large expanse of grass and trees, hoping to spot Anna. Within moments, she noticed her friend and the very handsome man beside her. Gabe led the love-struck Anna away from the house toward the shadows near the trees. Growling under her breath, Emmie feared the worst. Knowing her maid like she did, she knew exactly what Anna wanted.
     
    Emmie needed to follow them but couldn’t let them see her. Glancing around the yard, she searched for a place to hide. Across the way stood a large marble statue and behind it, some bushes. Since Gabe and Anna headed in that direction at a leisurely pace, Emmie decided she would have time to get to the statue and hide there before they arrived...as long as she ran.
     
    Lifting her skirts to her ankles, she sprinted across the yard toward the marble statue, grateful she didn’t wear all those slips underneath her gown to make noise. Gabe and Anna seemed to have eyes for only each other, so Emiline arrived at her hiding spot before the other two did.
     
    Hopefully, her maid was not up to her usual tricks and disregarded the rules of propriety. If so, Anna would be in Gabe’s arms this very night. Emmie didn’t think she’d be able to hide her jealous anger and keep herself concealed if that happened. Emmie gulped. If Anna did not take care, Emmie’s reputation could be ruined.
     
    * * * *
     
    Gabe smiled politely at the lovely woman beside him. The longer he was in her presence, the more he became confused. Her charm was evident, and yet her shyness was a contradiction. She really didn’t talk much, and he couldn’t believe there was a woman out there who didn’t chatter like a crazed magpie. Now he found one he wished would talk a little more.
     
    So far he had told her about himself—at least what he wanted her to know—and now he wanted to hear about her. If she would tell him, that is. Every time he asked her about herself, she changed the subject, bringing it back to him.
     
    They stopped by the marble statue of a woman with a water pitcher in her hands. Still close enough to the house for propriety sake, and so not to anger her lady’s companion, Miss Emmie…yet far enough away so that they wouldn’t be bothered or overheard.
     
    He glanced up at the half moon and the few clouds littering the darkened sky. Most of the light shone from the house. Although they were not in total darkness, many shadows crept around them, especially in the bushes not more than five feet away. Prickles of awareness danced over his skin, hinting there was another presence nearby. Over the last ten years, he’d learned to trust his feelings and instincts. Spies were all around, and he must be cautious. Until he could figure out who was watching them, he’d be