Page 87 of The Hellion and the Captain
“We came to watch you play!” his mother said, beaming. “Rhys, you are wonderful. Your entire team is.”
“Thank you,” he said, blinking incredulously. “I can’t believe you came.”
“We’re proud of you, son,” his father said, placing a hand on his shoulder, and Rhys nodded, nearly feeling like tears would start running down his face — nearly.
“I need to go see my team for a moment, but you are staying for a time, I hope?”
“We would stay overnight, if you would have us,” his mother said shyly.
“Of course. As long as you would like,” he said, still in some shock. He had visited them when he had holidays, but they had never left London to see him. “If you go to a tavern down the street, The King’s Head, I will meet you there shortly. It’s where the team gathers after games.”
“We would be happy to.”
“And don’t pay for anything,” he said as he walked away. “It’s on me.”
He didn’t wait for their response as he turned around, seeking out Emmaline. When he didn’t spot her immediately, his heart caught, until he saw her figure moving quickly off the field, her brothers approaching from the other side with thunderous expressions.
Rhys hurried after her, catching up to her on the side of the field just as her brothersdid.
“What on earth were you thinking?” Freddie demanded. “Playing football, dressed as a man? Have you no shame?”
Rhys looked around, grateful that no one else was near enough to hear their conversation.
“I wasthinkingthat I love this sport and I’m damn good at it,” Emmaline shot back, chin held high. “Why should that be shameful?”
“Because you’re a woman!” her other brother, Richard, exclaimed. “It’s not proper, it’s not natural?—”
“Says who?” Rhys interjected, moving to stand beside Emmaline. “Your sister is one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen. Man or woman, it makes no difference. She belongs on that pitch.”
Freddie narrowed his eyes at Rhys. “You knew about this deception, didn’t you? You allowed it.”
“I did,” Rhys confirmed without hesitation. “And I’d do it again. Emmaline proved herself worthy ten times over. I’m proud to have her on my team.”
“Well, she won’t be on it anymore,” Richard declared. “This foolishness ends now. Emmaline, you’re coming home with us at once.”
“No, I’m not,” Emmaline said firmly. “I’m done letting others dictate my life. From now on, I will make my own choices. I choose football. I choose this team.” Her gaze slid meaningfully to Rhys. “I choose my own path.”
Her brothers gaped at her, momentarily speechless. Rhys took the opportunity to take Emmaline’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together.
“You heard the lady,” he said. “Now, we have a championship to celebrate. We’ll be at The King’s Head, and you are welcome to join us, as long as you are there to celebrate the club, and your sister.”
Freddie’s face reddened with anger and embarrassment. “This isn’t over. Father has heard about your scandalousbehavior, Emmaline, and he sent us to speak to you, but I can only imagine how he will respond when you return home. You’ve been offered too much freedom.” With that, he and Richard walked off the field.
Emmaline sagged slightly as they departed, all the effects of the day catching up to her. Rhys squeezed her hand.
“Are you all right?” he asked gently.
She nodded, mustering a small smile. “I will be. I just cannot believe they are the same men who taught me football. The sport seems to be allowed for a child, but not for a woman. It’s infuriating, but what am I supposed to do besides take it as a lesson that perhaps I need to accept there is no place for women in football, at least not yet? Thank you for standing by me. I know this cannot be easy for you either.”
“Easy? No. But worth it? Absolutely.” He brushed a flyaway strand of hair away from her cheek. “I meant what I said, Emmaline. I’m proud of you. And I’ll support you, no matter what comes. No one said that women playing football would be easy. But it will never happen without someone leading the way forward, and I think we both know who that someone needs to be.”
He led her around the corner of the bathhouse, where they would be out of sight from anyone, except, perhaps, their teammates.
Rhys cupped her face tenderly.
“You were amazing out there. You scared me half to death one too many times, but I admire what you did. And I love you,” he murmured, before capturing her lips in a searing kiss. He lifted his head to say. “I’m proud of you. I’m proud of us. And I cannot wait to see what comes after this.”
“Neither can I,” she whispered, closing her eyes as she tilted her face up to him in a silent plea for more. “Neither can I.”
