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

Gabe reached them, his uncle walked away to speak to another guest who was leaving. Gabe stood in front of the other man, eyeing him warily. He tried not to grin, but his lips pulled upwards. “I’m hesitant to ask if this is a coincidental meeting…Mr. Daughtery .” He chuckled softly. “I honestly did not expect to see you here.”
     
    Rufus grinned and folded his arms. “Ah, my good friend, Mr. Lawrence. I almost did not recognize you.” His gaze lifted to Gabe’s hair. “You actually look better with brown hair, I must say.”
     
    Gabe laughed. “But I think you used too much black when you changed your hair color.”
     
    Rufus ran his fingers through his crop of midnight black hair. “Yes, the person who helped me was not as talented as the one who assisted you.”
     
    “Obviously.”
     
    “Tell me, Lawrence, why are you here?”
     
    “Mr. and Mrs. Hampton are my uncle and aunt.” Gabe took a quick glance around the empty room. “Who are you here with?”
     
    “My cousins, if you must know.” Rufus chuckled. “I had nowhere else to hide out but with them.”
     
    Gabe nodded. “I understand, my friend.” He clapped his hand on Rufus’ shoulder.
     
    His first mate took a step closer. “I’m sure you were surprised to learn Oliver Townshend’s niece was staying with your aunt and uncle,” he lowered his voice.
     
    “Very much so.” Gabe dropped his tone as well. “Apparently her father is acquainted with my uncle.”
     
    “How very interesting.” Rufus arched an eyebrow. “This is something we could use to our advantage.”
     
    “Believe me, I have already thought of that. I’m not going to let this matter rest. I plan on finding out all the girl knows about her uncle.”
     
    “Is that why you took her outside earlier?” He scratched his chin. “Or was it the normal reasons you take a woman out under the moonlit sky?”
     
    Gabe rolled his eyes. “Trust me, I do not have plans to seduce Lady Sarah.”
     
    Rufus chuckled. “If you say so.”
     
    “I do,” Gabe snapped, not liking how Rufus was jumping to conclusions.
     
    “Very well then, I shall leave you to Lady Sarah. I had thought to woo her tonight, yet she was always dancing with other men. So I ended up dancing with your cousin, Miss Rebecca, and getting to know her.”
     
    “I’m sure she loved your attention as well as your company.”
     
    “As did I. I found her delightful.”
     
    Holding himself back from laughing aloud, Gabe bit his lip. Was his friend addled? Rebecca…delightful? Out of all the words used to describe his selfish cousin, delightful was not the right word. “I suspect she was putting on a grand performance if you found her delightful. Most of the time she is more like…” He scratched his chin. “A shrew.”
     
    “Oh, come now, Lawrence. Your cousin was very pleasant.”
     
    “I’m glad you think so. I have never thought that in all the time I’ve known her. She often rubbed me the wrong way.”
     
    “That’s what happens when families are close.” Rufus nodded. “Now that my cousins are older, we get along splendidly.”
     
    “Good to know.” Gabe folded his arms and glanced around the room again. “So tell me,” he said softer, “did the rest of the crew go into hiding as I instructed?”
     
    “Indeed they did. They were all looking forward to the much-needed rest.”
     
    “I wish I knew how long we need, but for now, at least two months.”
     
    “Aye, Captain.”
     
    Gabe glared at Rufus. “Keep your voice down, man. We do not need others hearing.”
     
    “What others?” Rufus snickered.
     
    “Servants have ears, too,” Gabe clipped. Taking a deep breath, he stepped away from his first mate and in a louder voice said, “It was good to see you again, Mr. Daughtery . I hope we can meet up again soon.”
     
    “As do I.”
     
    “In case I need to contact you, where are you staying?”
     
    “Joseph and Mildred Langston. They live just down the