Page 4 of Her Captain Enchanter (The Worthington Legacy #5)

I t had been quite a long time since Emmie attended a party, and being at this one brought back nostalgic memories. She remembered in her younger years that she loved dressing up in fancy ball gowns. She had danced with the boys, even though most of them stepped on her toes. As she watched Anna dance with Mr. Crampton, Emmie was grateful she had decided to teach her maid how to dance when they were younger.

A few couples strolled past her, not even giving her a dismissive glance. Strange how people treated her like she was a ghost. Once in a while, Emmie received judgmental glares and upturned noses, especially from the ladies, but it didn’t happen until after they had looked at her gown. Inwardly, she groaned. Maybe she should spend some of her father’s money to purchase newer gowns. After all, Anna only had gowns for servants, not for Emmie’s new role.

Subtly, she glided over to a potted plant near the corner of the room and pretended to pick out the dead leaves. When two ladies passed by and eyed Emmie closely, she decided not to act like she was picking apart the plant any longer and slowly wandered toward another wall. Immediately, her attention was pulled to the door of the ballroom. A handsome man strolled inside, his powerful presence demanding attention, which he definitely received.

Emmie grinned. Mr. Worthington looked just as good clothed as he did when he was bathing in the pond. The memory of that most embarrassing moment caused heat to climb up her neck and rest on her cheeks. She’d been so uncomfortable conversing with a half-naked man, yet she had been mesmerized by his charm and good looks, and she couldn’t force herself to leave, even though her mind argued how wrong it was to be with a man who had just finished bathing.

Never had she seen a man’s bare chest and bare legs. Mr. Worthington was magnificent, and it had been all she could do to keep from touching his muscles to see if they were as hard as they appeared.

She tore her mind from that very heated memory and watched him move from guest to guest. He mingled easily. His smile had her enthralled, and his laugh caused flutters in her belly. The handsome creature then walked to his uncle. The two men talked for a few minutes before Mr. Crampton turned and called out to Anna.

Mr. Worthington’s eyes widened when he first looked at the pretend daughter of the earl, and jealousy jabbed at Emmie’s chest. Mr. Worthington took Anna’s hand in formal greeting, his face brightening by the second.

The next dance was claimed by Mr. Worthington as he took Anna out on the dance floor. Emmie didn’t want to admit it, but her maid actually looked good beside him. Anna’s eyes gleamed like stars while she danced. How could they not? He just happened to be the most dominant man in this room, and Emmie wasn’t the only woman who noticed. Many pairs of eyes followed the handsome man with the muscular body around the room.

Emmie almost wished she could take back her identity, only so she could be the woman dancing in his arms. It was too late for that now. Both she and Anna would be laughingstocks if people were to find out about their charade. In addition, Emmie couldn’t do that to Mr. and Mrs. Crampton. And she especially couldn’t go against her father’s wishes.

After Anna and Mr. Worthington’s dance was over, he bowed to his partner and brushed his lips across the back of her hand. Pleasure spread over the maid’s expression, which, in turn, made Emmie more upset over the switch of identities. That could have been her out there on the dance floor. He could be kissing her hand, instead.

Broderick left Anna’s side to wander around the room. He took a glass of champagne from the butler and then leaned back against the wall.

Anna made a sharp turn and headed Emmie’s way. “I was so nervous during that dance.”

“You are doing splendidly tonight,” Emmie replied.

“Thank you. I stepped on his toes a few times, though.”

“Nobody could tell.” Emmie grinned.

Anna whispered her gratitude and returned to the Cramptons’ small group.

As Emmie started to head back toward the wall she had been keeping company with the last little while, her attention immediately stopped on Broderick, who stood where she had seen him last. His gaze rested intently on her, causing her feet to stop before reaching their destination. She wrung her hands, hoping he wouldn’t say anything about their last meeting at the pond. That was all she needed, for people to judge her for being improper.

Was he the kind of man to mention the time at the pond? She prayed he wasn’t.

Broderick Worthington boldly scanned Emmie’s attire, from her tight bun down to her gray dress. When his eyes met hers again, his lips turned up into a smile. With a small bow, he let her know he recognized her.

Her heart pounded an uneven rhythm as she returned the smile and curtsied. Following his lead, she looked over his attire—a deep blue waistcoat stretched across his wide chest, a black coat that fit his broad shoulders, and black breeches that snugged against his muscular legs perfectly. His shirt and cravat were pristine white, bringing out the skin tones of his face. She nodded her approval. He chuckled and held up his drink as if in a salute.

Sighing, she stared at his astounding smile. Shame on her, but as hard as she tried, she couldn’t get the image of him bathing out of her mind. Never had she witnessed such an indecent sight, even though all she had seen was his bare chest and arms. Now, as she stared dreamily at him, it was as if they were the only two people in the room.

Although she wanted to talk to him, she knew it wasn’t her place. Besides, she felt tongue-tied around him, which didn’t happen often. Not only that, but she was a lady’s companion , and she shouldn’t be conversing with the male guests, no matter how incredibly handsome they were.

Humor twinkled in his eyes, and she desperately wanted to know what thoughts swam through his head.

When he finally turned away to chat with a group of beautiful young women who flocked to him, disappointment washed over Emmie. Slowly, she went back to her corner of the room to keep the wall company once again.

For the rest of the evening, her form of entertainment was to witness the way her maid interacted with Broderick. Soon, Anna broke away from him and walked toward Emmie. Her heart quickened. She wondered what was going on now.

“Emmie,” Anna said when she reached her. “Mr. Worthington has asked me to take a walk with him outside. What should I do?”

Emmie fisted her hands by her sides, wishing once again that she was the woman he’d asked to walk with him. “It’s polite to accept.”

“Then will you fetch my shawl for me? I mean… um, your shawl?” she ended in a whisper.

“Yes, my lady. I shall be more than happy to fetch the shawl.” Grudgingly, Emmie hurried out of the ballroom and up the stairs to get the shawl. On the way back down, she grumbled under her breath. As she placed the shawl around Anna’s shoulders, she whispered in her friend’s ear, “Remember who you are and that Lady Sarah doesn’t allow men to seduce her.”

When Anna met Emmie’s glare, the maid’s forehead creased. Before Anna had a chance to say anything, Broderick claimed her for their walk. The only acknowledgment he gave Emmie before he escorted Anna out on his arm was a nod.

Emmie rolled her eyes. Why was she feeling this way? She didn’t have any claim on Broderick. Come to think of it, he had been quite snobbish to her when they spoke 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.

She glanced around the hall, hoping nobody would care if she disappeared outside. But since everyone treated her as a ghost, she was certain to not have anyone stop her.

She grinned. Her entertainment was just beginning.

Emmie crept out the side door and onto the terrace. Casually, so 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. Broderick 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 quickly searched for a place to hide and watch them better. Across the way stood a large marble statue, and behind it, some bushes. Since Broderick 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.

She lifted her skirts to her ankles and sprinted across the yard toward the statue. Broderick and Anna seemed to have eyes only for each other, so Emmie arrived at her hiding spot before the other two did.

Hopefully, her maid wasn’t up to her usual tricks and disregarding the rules of propriety. If so, Anna would be in Broderick’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.

She gulped. If Anna didn’t take care, Emmie’s reputation could be ruined.

*

Broderick smiled politely at the lovely woman beside him. The longer he was in her presence, the more confused he became. Her charm was evident, yet her shyness was a contradiction. She really didn’t talk much, and he couldn’t believe he’d actually met a woman who didn’t chatter endlessly. Now he’d 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 was. Every time he asked her about herself, she changed the subject, bringing the topic 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’s sake, and so as not to anger her lady’s companion, Miss Emmie… yet far enough away that they wouldn’t be bothered or overheard.

He glanced up at the 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 would be careful.

“Please tell me about yourself, Lady Sarah. I’m certain you grow weary of hearing about my dreary life.”

She smiled. “Oh, no. I could never get bored hearing about you.” She paused to look at her clasped hands. “Besides, there really is not much to tell you about my life.”

“You must be mistaken. After all, you are an earl’s daughter. What could be more exciting than that? I’m quite certain you have many stories to tell.”

“I assure you, I don’t lead the adventurous life you do. My life is quite boring. My father keeps me sheltered. I’m surprised he allowed me to visit Mr. and Mrs. Crampton without his bringing me himself.”

“I wonder why he is so overprotective. I assume your father has been in Greenwich before, though?”

“Indeed. He met my mother in Berkshire on one of his visits.”

Her tale grew more interesting by the second. At least he wasn’t completely bored. “Why did your mother not come with you this time?”

“She died fifteen years ago.”

Sorrow filled him, and he frowned. He understood the ache of losing a parent because he had lost both of his. “Forgive me. I didn’t know.”

“There is nothing to forgive. How could you know when you do not know my family?”

“No truer words were spoken.” Broderick offered a slight smile as his gaze traveled over her black hair, wound artfully in a bun, then to her pretty, round face. Big brown eyes stared back at him, long, thick lashes surrounding them. Her nose was small and somewhat pudgy, but not overly so. Her lips appeared thin, and it surprised him that he wasn’t tempted to kiss them.

Another face came to mind. Miss Emmie—the one with the smoldering, big brown eyes. Right away, he questioned his train of thought. Why would he think of the lady’s companion at a time like this? Quickly, he shook her out of his mind.

“Well, Lady Sarah, I appreciate your kindness in telling me about your family. I do feel as if I’m getting to know you better.”

“As do I.”

From the corner of his eye, the shadow in the bushes moved. Once again, awareness pricked his skin. They were definitely being watched. Without studying the shadow and drawing attention to himself, he tried to sneak peeks that way while conversing with the earl’s daughter.

“Lady Sarah, now that you have been here a few days, what do you think of Greenwich?”

“It’s certainly a lovely area, and the scenery is so much greener.”

Silence lagged between them, which gave Broderick a moment to take a peek at the bushes again. Slowly, the clouds moved away from the moon long enough for him to see the figure of a woman. Unless his vision was playing tricks on him, the figure resembled Miss Emmie quite a bit. Without studying the shadows any deeper, he knew it was the lady’s companion. Although he didn’t know much about her, what he did know led him to believe she would do something this daring. He held back a grin.

He debated whether to say something and bring her out of hiding. Then again, he couldn’t embarrass her. Instead, he would take advantage of the situation and play it up, just to see how Emmie would react.

Broderick stepped closer to Lady Sarah and took her hands. “My lady?” he asked softly. “Is there a man back home to whom you are promised?”

She looked up at him with wide eyes, then dropped her gaze. “No.”

Strange, but he thought she would be betrothed by now. “I cannot believe such a lovely woman doesn’t have a beau.”

She giggled. “There are men who try to court me, but none have impressed me or my father.” She lifted her attention back at him. “My father promised I could choose my own husband. So far, I have found none I could fall in love with.”

He caressed her cheek. “I’m certain you will find him soon enough.”

She nodded.

He moved closer and swept his fingers along her chin. “Do you think your father brought you here to find the right man?”

Her gaze softened, and he tried not to grin. He should be ashamed for leading the poor girl on, but it had been a while since he flirted this way. Thankfully, he still had that certain touch that made a woman’s knees weak.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “Perhaps.”

He scanned her face again and rested his attention on her lips, which were now parted. Although she was lovely, he didn’t feel any attraction to her whatsoever. Besides, he only acted this way to make Miss Emmie upset.

“Lady Sarah, I cannot believe how lovely you are.” He came closer until her dress rubbed against his trousers and overcoat. “Will you consider letting me kiss you?”

Her throat jumped in what must have been a hard swallow. He waited for a reaction from the hidden, peeping companion. From the bushes, heavy breathing overrode Lady Sarah’s ragged breaths. Keeping a solemn expression, Broderick tried not to laugh.

She cleared her throat. “Mr. Worthington, I think it’s improper to kiss you at this time. We have only just met.” Her voice squeaked.

Broderick hovered his lips above hers, hesitating, making the moment linger. The scent of wine was on her warm breath as it blew against his face. She licked her lips. Staring deeply into her eyes, he watched the fear laced with eagerness on her expression. Her breathing quickened, and he knew he’d better stop this before she passed out.

Slowly, he pulled away. He admired her courage, but more so that of Miss Emmie. So far, the little minx hadn’t blown her cover.

“Very well, Lady Sarah. I shall have to bide my time until the moment is right and you approve. Please forgive me for my forwardness.”

She shied away again. “There is no need for apologies.”

“Come.” He held out his elbow. “Allow me to take you back to the party.” As he turned, he took a quick peek at the woman still hiding in the bushes. He grinned, continuing on his way. Miss Emmie surprised him at every turn. Remarkably, he wondered what she would do next—and realized he couldn’t wait to find out.