Chapter Four
Camilla placed a shaky hand over the erratic beat of her heart. Once the door slammed, announcing Malcolm’s departure, she breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, she hadn’t humiliated herself in front of him by crying.
He thinks I’m Kat,she tried to reason, but her trembling body would not listen to that rationale. Changing his mind was most important. If he couldn’t trust her, he wouldn’t allow her into his life so she could spy on him.
A nudge of guilt lodged in her heart for the deception, yet when she remembered the way Kat had pleaded, begged for Camilla to make Malcolm pay for ruining her twin’s life, she hardened her heart once more. Kat had been a loving woman at one time until Malcolm altered her.
Dabbing a fingertip at the moisture gathering in her eyes, Camilla proceeded into the kitchen, where the large, cheerful woman awaited her.
“Is everything all right, Mrs. Worthington?”
Camilla smiled. “Splendid, Horace.”
“Here’s the list.”
Camilla took the paper from Horace. “Do you know if my husband left money for me to go shopping?”
The servant’s brow creased. “Why no, Mrs. Worthington, of course not. He has an account in all the stores.”
“Oh, I know,” Camilla said, recovering quickly, “but I just thought about purchasing something nice for James and Lizzy.”
The older woman arched a suspicious eyebrow. “You can charge it to Mr. Worthington’s account.”
Camilla tried to keep the smile pasted on her lips, although she wanted to scream with frustration. Perhaps she was being too obvious. She needed to gain Malcolm’s trust, therefore she must act like a good wife and loving mother. Convincing him of that would be a challenge, though.
“Yes, of course.” Camilla folded the paper and slipped it inside her small wrist-purse.
“Have a pleasant outing, Mrs. Worthington.”
“Thank you. I plan on having a wonderful time.”
She left the kitchen and moved toward the stairs to collect the children, hoping the maid, Jane, had them ready. The children descended the stairs with dreary expressions that tugged at her heart. She wanted to be the one to remove their frowns and, more importantly, their fear.
In their morning together, she hoped to prove Kat wasn’t the bad stepmother Malcolm had convinced them she was. When the truth finally came out, she wanted James and Lizzy to look upon her as the caring aunt—someone they could depend on to care for their welfare when their father was arrested for his crimes.
As the children neared, she gave a reassuring smile. “I’m so delighted you will be joining me. We shall have an exciting day.”
James shrugged, and Lizzy’s gaze stayed on her shiny brown shoes. Camilla sighed. The morning would be difficult, but well worth the effort. She took James’s hand and tried to take Lizzy’s, but the little girl scurried to the other side of her brother and clasped his hand. She led the two outside to the awaiting buggy.
Malcolm’s servant, Broderick, stood by the vehicle waiting to assist. She tried to ignore his wry stare as he helped the children climb aboard, but when she made an attempt to step up into the back, he tugged on her arm.
“Mrs. Worthington,” he said. “Where are you going? You always sit up here with me.”
“Not today, Broderick. I will sit in the back with James and Lizzy. Jane can sit up front with you.”
She pulled her arm from his grasp and climbed in back. James locked his stare with hers, his eyes wide.
“Is that all right with you?” she asked the boy.
He nodded, a small grin tugging at his mouth. Her heart melted.
The morning turned out better than she expected. Although Lizzy still didn’t speak, James enlightened her about some of his adventures. She listened and laughed at his stories. She even dared tell a few stories of her own childhood. The boy’s countenance changed. She was headed in the right direction in her quest to win his heart.
James held her hand as they wandered through the market, Lizzy and Jane following not far behind. Every so often, she turned and looked at the adorable four-year-old and smiled, asking if she were all right. It was Jane, not Lizzy, who gave a positive response each time.
Although Camilla tried not to act as if this were her first time in Dorchester, she couldn’t help but fall in love with the town. Finally, a place she could walk down the streets and feel free. No restrictions from her deceased husband’s gambling debts. And if she dared admit, no restraints from her twin sister’s overpowering hold.
Yet Kat still controlled her now, even in death. Thankfully, it wasn’t the same.
The group hurried into the next shop, and Camilla’s smile stretched wider. Just what she had wanted to find.
“James.” She crouched to his level. “Would you and Lizzy like to get a gift for your father?”
“Oh, yes.” He nodded fiercely. “May we?”
“Of course. Let’s see.” She scanned the room that held only a few patrons. “What do you think your father would like?”
Jerking on her arm, James pulled her to a table of elegant and expensive slippers. She gasped at the price. These merchants were nothing but thieves.
James and Lizzy moved to the next table, and Camilla took Jane aside. “Do you think my husband would mind us purchasing some items at this shop?”
“Why would he mind?” Jane shrugged. “This is where he buys most of his clothing.”
Camilla sighed. “Splendid. Then I shall not worry.”
Jane joined the children as they wandered through the store, but Camilla’s attention shot to a full case full of beautifully crafted sabers and daggers. Hopefully, Malcolm wouldn’t think it too personal if she bought him a gift too. After all, she was his wife.
The store attendant came to her side. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Worthington. Are you finding everything you need?”
She smiled at the silver-haired gentleman. “Yes. You have such a remarkable selection I wouldn’t know which one to choose.”
“You are purchasing something for your husband?”
“I am.” She looked back at the shelf. “What do you think he would like?”
“Oh, madame, I can help with that.” He reached inside the glass case and pulled out a jeweled dagger. “Your husband has been eyeing this for weeks. This particular dagger came from a German trader. As you can see, the handle is littered with sparkling emerald and rubies, which was the very thing that caught Mr. Worthington’s eye.”
She nibbled on her lip, hesitating. The dagger was indeed the finest she’d ever seen.
“May I say, Mrs. Worthington, many men have come into the store and gazed upon this particular dagger in envy. Any man would love to be the owner of this elegant gift.”
Malcolm would certainly think her forward for purchasing this for him. She barely knew him. Then again, from what she’d observed so far, Kat hadn’t known him well either. And Camilla wanted to gain his trust any way she could.
However, she would eventually sell it and use the money to pay for Kat’s medical bills. The end result would be worth it.
“Shall I put it on your account, Mrs. Worthington?”
“Yes, put it on my account,” she said before changing her mind.
“Fine choice, Mrs. Worthington. Knowing your husband as I do, I believe he would appreciate a gift like this.”
While the man wrapped it, she clamped her mouth closed, trying not to withdraw her decision. She didn’t necessarily have to give it to him. Although she hated to lie, she would tell Malcolm some excuse of how she bought it for him but lost it.
Guilt for what she was doing gnawed at her stomach. But when she remembered what her sister’s frail body in the unkempt room had looked like, Camilla hardened her heart. Not only that, but the box Kat had been buried in wasn’t fit for an animal.
Her sister’s memory came first, as it should be.
*
As Colonel Burwellflipped through the drawings, Malcolm held his breath, waiting for him to make a decision. He could ill afford another problem at this point, and he prayed the colonel would be impressed with his work. The man turned the last page, and his eyes narrowed as if he were studying the final outline.
“Worthington?” He stood as a smile finally touched his mouth. “These sketches are fascinating. How soon can your company build these vessels?”
Relief poured through Malcolm and his heart hammered with anticipation. He wanted to shout with happiness, but kept focused on remaining serious in front of the man. “That particular matter we will have to take up with Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Crowley. Building the vessels is their part of the business. I only draw.”
Burwell laughed and slapped him on the back. “I like you, Worthington. You have a good head on your shoulders, and it’s refreshing to know a man who is not afraid to use his intellect.”
“Thank you. That is quite a compliment, colonel.”
“Since I’m already acquainted with Mr. Kennedy, I have no qualms about hiring your team to build new ships for the navy—if the sketches don’t get lost as they did the time before. We cannot wait for you to draw up new ones, you know.”
Inwardly, Malcolm grumbled. He would find the person responsible no matter what. “Of course, colonel. I shall make it my duty to guard them with my life.”
The colonel nodded. “I’m certain you will, Worthington.” He grabbed his hat and turned toward the door. “Have Mr. Kennedy pay me a visit and we shall discuss payment.”
Malcolm held his breath again, praying for the invitation he had been hoping would come for a couple of days now, but the arrogant Colonel Burwell just plopped his hat on his head and walked out of the office without another word.
Malcolm gnashed his teeth and stormed to his desk. The deal he made with Colonel Burwell would make him a very rich man, but if he didn’t find those responsible for stealing his drawings, Malcolm would be out of work permanently. Rumors alone could ruin him.
Sighing, he sank into his hard wooden chair and turned his gaze to the office window and the busy main street below. Although grateful for his partnership with Brandon Kennedy and Joseph Crowley, he longed for the freedom during the day to do whatever he wished. Before he married Kat, he’d had that kind of life. In fact, he could have made a decent life for his new wife and children, but Kat had to have more. She had to have a wealthier husband. Well, now she had one, yet she was still drawn to other men and thrived on their compliments—amongst other things.
The brilliant scarlet coat of Colonel Burwell drew his attention as the man stopped in front of a shop and talked with a woman. Malcolm wouldn’t have bothered with his curiosity, but two small children stood by the woman’s side.
Kat!
Malcolm jumped up and moved to the window. Although the colonel had his back toward him, Kat smiled as she chatted with the soldier. Even from Malcolm’s vantage point, he realized the way she spoke with the other man was far different than before. Kat always had to touch the man, bat her eyes, and use her perfectly shaped lips to pout. But she was doing none of that now. Why?
After a few minutes, the colonel walked away, and Kat and the children moved on to the next shop. Malcolm had threatened her this morning to take special care of his children, and it surprised him she had actually listened. Even the maid walked behind holding Lizzy’s hand.
He raked his fingers through his hair and exhaled deeply. His mind hadn’t been focused since Kat had returned from her secret little holiday, and he didn’t like the confusion swimming in his head. It was as if she were a completely different person.
The chiming from the bell on the door pulled Malcolm’s attention to the front office. His friend stepped into view and pulled off his hat.
Malcolm smiled. “Broderick? What are you doing here?”
The younger man walked to the desk and sat on the corner, swinging his leg. “I followed your wife as you had requested, but I must say, there is something very different about her.”
“What have you seen?” Malcolm sat behind his desk again, linking his fingers and resting his elbows on the top.
“To begin with, she wouldn’t sit in the front of the buggy with me but insisted on being in the back with your children. Not once throughout the morning has she flirted with any men. When she walked past the soldiers outside the tavern, she just nodded and proceeded on her way.” Broderick shook his head. “I tell you, Malcolm, her strange behavior has me worried.”
“I think she knows we are watching her, so she is on guard.” Malcolm scrubbed his hand over his chin. “She is a great performer, but she will slip up one of these days, and I will be right there when she does.”
“What are you watching for?”
“I don’t believe she went to visit her sister. I’m more inclined to think she spent time with some soldier. It could have been Colonel Burwell, for that matter. I think she knows a vital piece of information that might help me find the true thief, but I’m going to catch her before she acts on her knowledge. For some reason—which I cannot fathom—I think she wants to bring me down. She wants me to fail and lose my reputation. Yet I don’t know why she would want that, since my wealth affects her as well.”
Broderick nodded. “I’ll be alert for any peculiar activity.”
Malcolm stretched his legs beneath the solid oak desk. Two things were certain: someone was trying to ruin him by stealing his drawings and selling them, and his wife was up to something that was not good. His gut told him the two were related in some way. Already the people on his suspects list were Brandon Kennedy, Captain Wilkes, and Colonel Burwell. And Malcolm also suspected his competitor, Mr. Clarkston. That man had always been sneaky. He couldn’t help but wonder if Kat was the ringleader in this conspiracy.
Inwardly, he groaned. Thinking of that woman caused him more worries than normal. He hesitated in asking his friend one particular question, only because the subject made him irritable, but he had to know. “Broderick? Has she snuck away from the house to meet secretly with a man since she has been back?”
“No, not at all. And I have kept constant watch on her.” Broderick moved to the window and peered out.
Malcolm shook his head. “Something isn’t right, and it’s maddening.”
Broderick turned and looked at him. “I shall keep following her. I’ll not let you down.”
Malcolm smiled, but it wasn’t fully. “I know. Keep a sharp eye. She is a sneaky one.”
Broderick left the building, and Malcolm was thankful his friend was so loyal. Broderick had discovered Kat sneaking out of the house one week after she and Malcolm were married. She enjoyed charming almost every man she came in contact with—except her own husband. Sometimes Malcolm wondered why he repulsed her so.
Kat was very much like his first wife, Victoria, in that respect.
He groaned and slunk lower in his chair. Victoria, the sweet, caring, and tender mother of his children. The perfect wife… until it came to performing the wifely duties she abhorred. He tried to convince her making love wasn’t a chore, but a pleasurable, natural experience between husband and wife. Victoria didn’t see it that way.
At times during their marriage, he had felt less than a man, but he always stayed true to their vows. On her deathbed, she urged him to find another wife, a mother to raise their children. When he first met Kat—through her father—Malcolm thought she was the one. Just like Victoria, Kat had been innocent and shy, so he didn’t rush her. Within a week, he discovered from Broderick that Kat had been unfaithful. Even with Malcolm’s business partner, Brandon Kennedy, for goodness’ sake! After that, Malcolm hadn’t wanted to touch his wife.
He picked up his quill and concentrated on his sketches, but from outside, a woman’s sweet laughter rose above the hustle from the busy street. He lifted his gaze out the window. Kat skipped with his children down the street. For the first time since Victoria died, a smile highlighted his son’s face as he held on to Kat’s hand and looked up into her eyes.
The mismatched pair hurried across the street toward his office, and Malcolm’s heart melted. Quick as lightning, he cursed the feeling, reminding himself this was only an act. Kat wasn’t the loving and charming woman she portrayed, but a she-devil in disguise. He couldn’t allow himself to trust her.
Not now.
Not ever.