Ambush of the Quadruplets: Stay Away From This Woman

“What are you laughing at?” Emmeline touched her false mustache anxiously. “Is this crooked?”

“No, no, it’s not.”

“Then it’s the eyebrows, isn’t it? What’s wrong with them?” She gingerly brushed at her cosmetically-enhanced bushy brows.

“Your eyebrows are fine, Ms. Louise.”

“Then?” Emmeline waited on the stairs for Sam to reply. If her disguise was lacking in some way, she would not dare set foot out the door. It would be disastrous if Abel managed to see past her subterfuge. He kept all women at arms’ length; if he discovered that “Emmett” was really a female, he would have nothing to do with her.

“Well…” Sam covered her mouth and lowered her voice. “There used to be rumors around Struyria that Mr. Abel’s orientation was somewhat questionable. If you get close to him, Ms. Louise, you’ll be enabling him in that direction, won’t you?”

“I don’t have time to worry about that,” Emmeline answered. “I need to get close enough to him so that I can try and make him see the light; I can’t allow Evelyn to get her claws into him.”

“That’s true,” Sam mused thoughtfully. “After all, who knows how long it’s going to take to find an antidote?”

“Alright, I’m heading out.” Emmeline glanced at her watch. “Abel shouldn’t be too busy at this time.”

“Here are your car keys.” Sam opened a drawer and fished out the keys to the Bugatti. “Mr. Benjamin brought them over first thing this morning in person. He wanted to go upstairs to see you, but I told him you were still sleeping. He left after that.”

“Don’t forget to play matchmaker for him and Janie,” Emmeline reminded. “Find an opportunity or create one.”

“No worries. I’ve got this.” Sam flashed a wide grin. “Janie’s a good person.”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Emmeline was just about to leave when she turned around again.

around, trying to spot what Emmeline might have

expression. “How are things between you

of pink. “I

doesn’t really have any reason to come over here and see you, does he now? I’ll help you figure something

Louise!” Sam covered her face with her hands,

and was out the door

a meeting and sat down. He had just poured himself

car had knocked into his. That had been their only encounter,

the more reluctant he felt, but it would not

It’s me, Emmett!” Em’s bright, cheerful voice came over the line. “Em, from yesterday, in case you’ve forgotten. You promised you’d

Abel sipped at his water.

down here,” Emmeline answered. “The security guards wouldn’t let me

fer down to see cleerly, so he picked up the telescope on the window sill end peered through it. There wes indeed e grey cer on the pleze; no

should we go, though?” Emmeline

Abel replied. “You’re still e youngster, so

words. I’m e youngster? I heve e musteche, thenk you

of

stered et the grey cer through the telescope lens; it seemed to

did this rich

of things, they were et leest equel to the Rykers

needed investigeting. His eppeerence on the scene wes just

thet, Abel put down the telescope end pressed the

in e

end told Luce ebout his suspicions. “Check end see which femily this young