Her eyes twinkled. “You are too kind. I would very much enjoy riding in a buggy.”
He bowed then offered his hand. She slipped her fingers against his palm, and once again, desire burned inside him. As he helped her into the vehicle, he fought the impulse to pull her against him.
He climbed on the seat, took the reins, and urged the horses into a trot. Immediately, he could tell the journey home would be horrendous. Emiline kept bumping into him, making him more and more aware of her. Not that he wasn’t already. How could he forget after what happened last night and this morning?
A few minutes of silence passed very slowly before she turned to him and cleared her throat. “Broderick, I would like to thank you for what you did.”
Confusion filled him, and he looked into her innocent, wide eyes. “Which was?”
“You accidentally—on purpose—let it slip about Lady Sarah and her companion visiting the Cramptons. You knew Georgia would figure it out soon enough.”
He smiled. “Did Georgia say something to you?”
“She did, and we talked.” She softly laid her hand on his arm. “I don’t think I could have mentioned it to her, but because of your help, I was able to open up.”
He moved his attention back to the road. “I suspected you were scared to say anything, so I thought to help you in some way. I’m relieved you are not upset with me for sticking my nose into your business.”
She squeezed his arm. “No, I’m not upset. I’m very grateful for your help. This whole mess has left me so confused that I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I cannot fathom how you must feel right now, learning that your mother has been alive all this time.” He snuck another glance at her. “How exactly did she die?”
“We were living in France at the time, and she was sailing to England, and her ship was attacked by pirates.” She shrugged. “At least, that is the information we received.”
Curiosity niggled his mind. “Pirates, you say? And she was on a passenger ship?”
“Yes.”
“Most pirates that I have heard about do not attack passenger ships. They are only after treasure of some kind.”
“I heard the same thing, but when we received the letter about my mother’s death, it stated her ship was attacked by none other than the fearsome pirate, Captain Hawk.”
Broderick swallowed wrong and nearly choked. Yet he didn’t want to cause suspicion. “How long ago did this happen?”
“Fifteen years.”
Impossible!The title of Captain Hawk was started by his great-uncle, Marcus Thorne, approximately forty-six years ago, and handed down through the family on Broderick’s mother’s side. He had taken the title not even a year ago.
“Forgive me, love, but it’s hard to believe that her ship was attacked by that pirate, since I heard Captain Hawk’s only mission is to stop deceitful men in England. However, I do know that his first voyage was across the sea to the Americas.”
“Then why would someone tell us it was Captain Hawk if it wasn’t?” She rested her palm on his arm. “Broderick, if you know anything else about this pirate, please tell me.”
His breath caught in his throat and his blood froze. “You think I should know something?”
“Well, I did hear a rumor, not long after Lady Sarah and I arrived at the estate, that Mr. Crampton was related to CaptainHawk.” She licked her lips. “And if he is related, then surelyyoumust know him as well.”
Broderick didn’t know what bothered him more—the rumors that someone knew his true identity or that there might be a spy in the family. Although he didn’t want to lie to Emiline, nor could he confess the truth. Not yet. “If I’m related to this pirate, this is the first I have heard about it.”
A heavy sigh escaped her, and she brought her hand back to her lap. “Then perhaps the rumor was false.”
“Perhaps. You know how rumors can get out of hand. The fact that a pirate attacked a passenger ship tells me this rumor is indeed false, since this particular pirate wasn’t known to do such things.”
“I’m sure you are correct.” She sighed again and smiled at him. “I’m most appreciative of your knowledge.”
He winked. “Anytime, princess.”
She chuckled and shook her head. Once again, his focus turned to the lovely vision beside him. He skimmed his gaze over her enchanting face, resting it on her tempting mouth. His own mouth watered as he remembered the way her lips had tasted when he kissed her.
Shaking himself out of such wicked thoughts, he quickly diverted his eyes to the road. In order to keep her in a pleasant mood—and her thoughts away from Captain Hawk—Broderick must change their conversation.
