“He has been completely miserable. We both have.”
Daphne placed a hand on her chest and breathed deeply. “As have I.”
Emmie hugged her mother once more. “Oh, Mother, I’m so happy I found you. This time I will never let you go.”
“And neither will I.”
*
Broderick sat atthe 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 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 hadn’t been cautious, which got him into trouble. He soon learned to be leery of everyone. So then why was he idiotic enough to let his heart get involved with awoman? Never had he felt this way, but he should have known better than to fall in love…
Groaning, he tipped back his mug and gulped down the remainder of the ale. “More ale over here,” he called to the barmaid.
As he waited for the wench to bring him more, he gazed around the room at the other drunks. They were well into their cups, and it was still early afternoon. Apparently, their lives were more pathetic than Broderick’s.
The tavern door opened, and he squinted against the blinding light. Once the door closed, he focused on the man coming his way. He smiled. “Phillip, would you like to join me?”
“I would, indeed.” Phillip waved to the barmaid. “Bring me a mug, too.” He sat next to Broderick and grinned. “It’s been a while since we were able to drink like this.”
“It has been quite a while, my good friend.” Broderick patted his shoulder. “What’s wrong with us? All work and no play?”
Phillip laughed. “Well, we are in hiding, so why shouldn’t we play as well?”
“Exactly!”
The barmaid brought the drinks and left.
Broderick lifted his mug in a toast. “Here’s to playing.”
Phillip raised his mug and then clinked it against Broderick’s before gulping the ale down. “Tell me, what has crawled into your head lately to get you like this? Not often do I see you this way. In fact…” He tilted his head, his narrow eyes studying Broderick. “If I’m not mistaken, I would think you are acting like a lovelorn fool.”
Shaking his head, Broderick laughed. “Your eyes are not mistaken, Phillip.” He frowned and stared at his mug. “Indeed, I have been a fool.”
“Do you wish to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Come now, my good man. How else are you going to work through your pain?” Phillip pointed to Broderick’s mug. “You have learned by now that ale is not going to help you through this.”
Broderick nodded. “You are wise beyond your years, Phillip.” Sighing heavily, he raked his fingers through his hair as he stared at the grimy table. “Once again, in my wretched life, I have let a woman’s lies woo me. I have only found a few women who could turn my thoughts to love, but they have lied to me. Now, I find a woman I can easily talk with who makes me feel desirable. She makes me feel like her hero. Then I discovered she lied to me. She isn’t the woman I thought she was.”
“What are you saying? You have charmed many women, Broderick. Have none of these others made you feel desirable?”
“Not one. Most of them were brainless twits, and conversing with them became futile. But then I met…her.She is well educated, and she knows how to make me laugh.” A wistful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, so he quickly took another drink.
“Are you talking about the woman I caught you kissing last night?”
“Aye. The very same.”
“But I thought you were interested in wooing Lady Sarah.”
Broderick snorted a laugh and looked at his friend. “I discovered an interesting tidbit last night after Mr. Goodfellow’s party. Apparently, my Emiline has been masquerading as a lady’s companion since the first time I met her.” He shook his head. “She is therealLady Sarah—not the woman we have come to know as Lady Sarah Langston.”
Phillip’s jaw dropped and he set his mug back on the table. “Are you jesting?”
“Not in the least.”
