Page 5 of The Hellion and the Captain
“Having a good night, Rhys?” Tommy asked, taking pity on him.
“Fine,” he said again, and Emmaline couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“Do you know any other words?” she said. “There must be some hiding behind your ruggedly handsome face.”
Her cheeks heated the moment she said it, but as this was not the first time that words had slipped out of her mouth before she had time to second-guess them, she simply lifted herdrink to her lips and winked at him. If she was going for it, she might as well go all in.
Rhys remained unmoving and unspeaking, although Tommy filled in some gaps.
“Ruggedly handsome, eh?” he said, looking from Rhys and then back to Emmaline. “You never said that about me.”
“Because you are not ruggedly handsome,” she returned. “You are… devilishly charming.”
She grinned at him as she said it, but when she turned back to Rhys, she was unprepared for his murderous expression.
“My apologies,” she murmured, hoping she appeared unbothered. “Have I offended you?”
“You’ve offended my good sense,” he muttered, and Emmaline couldn’t help but snicker at that.
“You are a curmudgeon, aren’t you?”
“A ruggedly handsome curmudgeon, don’t forget,” Tommy said helpfully.
“A ruggedly handsome and talented curmudgeon,” she said, adding to the jest. “I was very impressed with last season, Captain. The team played like a unit. You have excellent forwards and strong defense, although you have some holes to fill.”
“Yes,” he said, slowly nodding, his expression softening slightly. So slightly that one would hardly notice if one had not been watching so closely. “You know football,” he observed.
“I do,” she said. “My brothers were both keenly interested. They do not play any longer, for they have become too busy with other pursuits, but I enjoy watching Manchester Central play. The team has improved.”
“Did you ever play yourself?”
Oh dear. This was deep water.
“I tried,” she said, telling the truth. “I joined one of the emerging women’s leagues, but my parents found out, and itwas too much, even for them. They told me that a woman of my standing could not be running around chasing a ball. Quite unfortunate, for I am rather good,” she said, leaning in close and saying the last part in his ear.
“That is unfortunate,” Tommy said. “Should have disguised yourself.”
“Yes,” Emmaline said weakly. “I should have.”
He was right. She should have disguised herself as a different woman first, but it would have been too obvious. So, she had found a different plan instead.
Whether it would work in her favor or not remained to be seen.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Tommy said, “I think I have just fallen in love.”
He left without any further explanation, not telling Emmaline whether it was Ada or Minnie who had drawn him away, but Emmaline decided this was as good a time as any to determine if the captain had any suspicions about her.
She moved in closer, until their shoulders were almost touching. “Have you found any replacements for Joey this season?” she asked, looking up at him from beneath hooded lashes.
“There are a few options,” he said in a slightly strangled voice, his piercing blue eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.
“Anyone I might know?”
“Doubtful.”
“That’s too bad,” she said with a pout. “Well, I am looking forward to watching whoever joins. I am sure you will make the best decision.” She leaned in and lightly ran her fingers over his arm.
She didn’t even know why she was doing it. Flirting had almost become ingrained within her. She wanted to have the option to marry if she so chose and so had tried to become asfeminine as possible while still retaining the strength that made her who she was.
