Page 49 of The Hellion and the Captain
“Agreed,” Minnie said as they entered Colin and Lily’s carriage. It was an older model that had once belonged to Lily’s father, and he had gifted it to them soon after their marriage. “Now, Emmaline, I have been longing to know howyou’ve gotten away with this. Is Colin the only one who knows the truth?”
By the time they arrived at the red brick King’s Head, they had filled Minnie in on all that had occurred over the past few weeks, although Emmaline most certainly left out a few details – particularly anything to do with Rhys, besides the fact that he knew her secret and had reluctantly agreed to help.
After Colin held the door for them to enter the King’s Head, they immediately spotted the team across the room.
“He’s the big one, with the beard?” Minnie said, looking him over from across the room, and Emmaline felt that twinge in her stomach, the very one she had hoped to ignore.
“That’s him,” Emmaline said, watching the way he sat back and looked over the team with quiet confidence that she admired. As gruff as he was, as much as he used that confidence to lead the team, she had also grown to appreciate the quiet grace he held himself with, the way that he led the team by actions just as much as he did words.
“Hmm,” was all Minnie said in response, although she still kept her eyes on Rhys.
It was already crowded, as all in the neighbourhood knew where to find the players after a game, particularly a win. Everyone was there to celebrate, and the team was in the middle of it all. Emmaline usually welcomed a crowd, but tonight she felt a sense of uncertainty, for it suddenly seemed like too many eyes were on her, especially with a woman like Minnie on her arm.
“Thornton, Williams, over here!”
Tommy’s voice cut through the crowd, and they all followed in Colin’s wake as he forged a path ahead toward the table. Milton, the barkeep, seemed to miraculously appear, as though he could transport himself from one side of the tavern to the other at will.
He set two mugs of ale and two glasses of port for theladies on the table before he disappeared once more, and Emmaline had never been happier that she actually enjoyed the taste of the more common drink.
She took a sip before putting it down and looking up – right into Rhys’s very amused blue eyes. She lifted one corner of her lips in a smile just for him and caught his slow wink back at her.
Emmaline was brought back to the moment when an incessant tapping began on her arm, and she turned to find Tommy staring at her.
“Who’s that?” he asked without any pleasantries, and Emmaline realized that Rhys had distracted her into nearly forgetting Minnie.
“My apologies,” she said. “I should have introduced you.”
“Tommy Ward,” Tommy said, leaning over her and holding out his hand. “And just who might you be?”
His interest was obvious, and while Emmaline was amused and would love to see where this could lead, she was also well aware that, as Emmett, she wouldn’t take kindly to another man showing such interest in the woman on his arm.
“This is Minnie Draper,” Emmaline said firmly. “We have been friends for years but have grown… closer as of late.”
“I see,” Tommy said, pressing his lips together, although he didn’t look completely defeated. More... challenged.
Rhys told himself to stop looking at Emmaline because, at the moment, she was not Emmaline at all, but rather Emmett. If he wasn’t careful, others would question his intentions toward the player on his team, just as Victor had.
But it was hard to stop. In fact, he had no idea how the others on the team didn’t see who she truly was. He supposed that they saw what they wanted to see, what they believed, andat the moment, many of them were too busy looking at Minnie.
Unfortunately, Emmaline was at the opposite end of the table as he was, but he couldn’t stop watching her sitting back and laughing with Colin, Lily, and Minnie – her friends. She quieted a bit when Tommy joined them, and by the way he was leaning over Minnie, Rhys wondered if Emmaline had found herself in a situation she couldn’t handle.
He waited for her to look at him to help, but when no question came, he decided to leave it.
Nothing came of it until he rose to find Milton, and Tommy rushed over to him, looking one way and then the other.
“Something the matter, Tom?” Rhys asked dryly.
“It has to do with Emmett.”
“Oh?”
Rhys continued toward the bar, stopping when he reached it and leaning back against it as he waited for Tommy to say whatever he was insistent on.
“The woman he’s with – Minnie.”
“What about her?”
“She’s beautiful.”
