Chapter Six
Camilla hesitated to leave her bath of luxury that evening, but the cold water threatened to turn her skin to prunes. As she towel-dried herself, the rose-scented soap assailed her senses, reminding her of home—a place she could not revisit in her mind without missing her father and sister.
She changed into a red evening dress. The selection of garments in her sister’s closet didn’t leave many suitable options. This particular dress had short, puffy sleeves, with white trim around the square bodice that was cut lower than she wanted. If only she could find that handkerchief she used the other evening.
Beth’s absence, tonight of all nights, had Camilla sighing in frustration as she sat at the dressing table trying to style her own hair. She coiled her hair in a loose knot, leaving a few tendrils around her ears, then found some white earbobs.
Satisfied with her appearance, she made her way down the stairs toward the parlor, where the playful voices of Malcolm and his children resounded through the corridor. Although she had yet to hear Lizzy speak, the little girl’s laughter lifted with merriment through the air.
The threesome didn’t see her when she stepped into the room. What a heartwarming scene with Lizzy and James perched on Malcolm’s lap as he read them a nursery story. Camilla had memorized the story when she was young, but it amazed her to hear Malcolm tell it. He added excitement, made the characters come to life, entertaining his children—and her—beyond belief. Warmth in her heart spread toward the man who might be committing unlawful acts. His ability to love his children unconditionally made her question whether he was truly as dishonest as Kat had led her to believe.
Malcolm’s gaze finally lifted from the book and fell upon her, his expression softened, and a smile touched his mouth. The sentence he had been reading stopped as he scanned her from head to toe.
Fluttering sensations swept through her, and the new emotion turned her mouth dry, but the palms of her hands moistened. Her numb mind wouldn’t allow her to think of a single word to say in greeting.
He closed the book, lifted his son and daughter off his lap, and stood. Like a panther stalking its prey, he slowly came toward her. The beating of her heart slammed against her ribs, but she remained still. A cheerful greeting came from James, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the incredibly handsome man in front of her. His light gray coat blended with his fawn trousers, the color enhancing his eyes, making them sparkle brighter.
He stopped and lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss on her knuckles. His eyes held hers. Scents of spice drifted around her, and although she wished otherwise, they stirred to life emotions hidden deep inside.
“Good evening, Camilla. It pleases me that you would join us.”
Her heart soared. He said my name! The tender sound coming from his lips was like fingers plucking heavenly music from a harp.
“Of course, Malcolm. Why would I not want to be a part of such an entertaining group?” She bestowed upon him her best smile. “I don’t think I have ever heard a more interesting story than what you were telling James and Lizzy.”
James tugged on her skirt, his smile stretched from ear to ear. “Milla? Do you wanna have Papa read to you, too?”
She nibbled on her lower lip and hesitated before nodding.
“Papa?” James continued. “Milla wants to read with us.”
Malcolm chuckled. “But James, with you and your sister on my lap, I don’t think I’ll be able to fit Camilla there as well.”
Her gaze snapped up to meet his smoldering eyes. Just the idea of sitting so close to him, and in that fashion, made her cheeks burn. She cleared her throat. “That is just as well. I’ll be more comfortable on the sofa.”
Malcolm took her hand and wrapped it around his elbow. “Why do we not all sit on the sofa?”
She was certain she appeared like a love-struck girl while dreamily staring into his eyes as she walked with him to the furniture. Yet she couldn’t tear away from him. His charm intoxicated her, and she wanted to lose herself in it.
James and Lizzy climbed back onto their father’s lap, and Camilla sat by his side. Every once in a while, his elbow brushed against her arm, and she forced herself not to sigh aloud from the warm pleasure rippling through her. Strange how one subtle movement could create such heated explosions.
Malcolm’s deep voice hypnotized her. Laying her head on the back of the sofa and turning slightly, she stared at his profile and absorbed his words. After three more stories, he had complete control over her, whether he wanted to or not.
When the servant announced the children’s bedtime, Camilla jumped to a sitting position and blinked the daze from her eyes. James gave her a kiss on the cheek, then a hug. Lizzy wouldn’t kiss her, but Camilla received a small hug from the little girl.
Her heart tugged from their sweet gestures. Lizzy and James placed kisses on their father’s cheek before leaving the room with Jane. Although Camilla had never conceived a child with her husband, perhaps someday she would find a man to have children with that would shower such affection on her.
Malcolm closed the book and placed it on the table in front of them. He stretched his arms over his head. It fascinated her, the way the fabric of his clothes pulled tight across his muscles. As he relaxed, he laid an arm across the back and turned and looked at her. His hand rested dangerously close to her shoulder, and she wanted to cuddle against it, but resisted with every fiber of her being.
A smile touched his lips. “Thank you for spending time with the children. They really enjoyed your presence this evening.”
She returned a smile. “It was my pleasure.” She glanced over at the parlor door, then back to him. “But why did they leave before supper?”
“They have already eaten.”
“Why can they not share the meal with us?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but hesitated as his brows drew together. “I have never thought of that.” He shrugged. “I suppose they may join us, if that is what you wish.”
“I think it would be wonderful to have us all eat together.”
“Why would you find that wonderful?” He turned his body her way. “In fact, why are you here right now?”
She sighed heavily. Oh, not again. “I haven’t done so lately, and I wished to get to know you and your children better.” She paused. “Does that make me a criminal?”
“No, just different from the Kat I know.”
She tried to swallow the lump caught in her throat. She didn’t dare encourage him, but she must. “Then forget the woman you once knew and look more closely at the Camilla sitting next to you now. I assure you, they are two different people.”
His gaze touched every inch of her face before resting on her lips. Her skin warmed, and she enjoyed the feeling. She waited for him to unleash his anger, but he remained calm and relaxed. Envious of his ability to stay composed, she worried her whole body would come apart at any moment.
“At times you almost have me fooled, Mrs. Worthington. Deep down I want to believe you are different, but I have lived with you long enough to know otherwise.”
His fingers moved to her cheek and stroked her skin. Tingles danced down her spine.
“Outwardly,” he continued, “you are the beautiful woman I thought I married, but…” His finger trailed down her neck to her collarbone.
She held her breath. Why did she ache for his tender caress, and especially his kind words?
“Inside this beautiful woman lurks evil, darker and more sinister than I could have imagined. You have plans swimming around in your lovely head that are meant to hurt and destroy people’s lives.”
Inwardly, she cringed. What exactly had her sister done to make him believe such things? She wanted to confess her true identity, simply to hear soft, gentle words leave his mouth.
“Malcolm,” she whispered, her breaths coming in short gasps. “You shouldn’t be so unkind. You don’t know what happened to me when I went to be with my sister.”
“Shh,” he said in a husky tone.
She wanted to continue, but his knuckles continued to stroke her neck. Holding her breath, she waited for his next move.
“Say no more.” He leaned closer as his other arm dropped from the back of the sofa and circled her shoulders. His mouth was mere inches above hers. “I don’t care what happened. But just for tonight, I want to imagine you are somebody else and not the selfish woman I married.”
“I am somebody else,” she whispered.
Gently, he touched his lips to hers. Heated sparks multiplied through her body, and she released a sigh. His lips nipped at hers and then caressed back and forth, urging her to relax. She mirrored his movements, hoping nothing would break the spell. He pulled her closer, and she laid her hand on his chest. Beneath her palm, the wild beating of his heart vibrated. Her heartbeat matched his rhythm perfectly.
He cupped the side of her face. The tenderness of his touch melted her even more, and a small groan tore from her throat. Within that moment, he slid his tongue into her mouth. Shock vibrated through her, but so did pleasure, overriding any emotion she had. The hot, velvety texture of his tongue stroking awareness into her mouth was her undoing. This time when she sighed, her chest rattled.
She had never felt anything so exhilarating in her life. Her husband had been too demanding, and she liked the gentleness Malcolm displayed much more. She itched to caress him, to run her fingers through his hair just like she had imagined that first day when they met. But before she could summon the courage, the dinner bell rang.
He jerked away, peering at her with smoldering eyes. His gaze jumped between her mouth and her eyes before his brows drew together in confusion.
She caught her breath, hoping he didn’t doubt his own actions. She hadn’t. She wanted more. “Malcolm.” She reached for him, but he jumped from the sofa as if he had been burned.
“Mrs. Worthington.” His tone had turned cold once again. “I hope you have a nice meal tonight, because I have suddenly lost my appetite.”
He rushed out of the parlor. The slamming of the front door confirmed his departure.
*
Angry voices wokeCamilla from a most pleasurable dream. As her mind slowly became alert, she still experienced the tingling of Malcolm’s lips on hers, and his fingers across her neck. In her dream their kiss hadn’t been interrupted, and he had caressed her neck, her shoulders, and down her bosom. In her dream, his lips had followed the trail of his hands.
Now awake, she scolded herself for becoming so infatuated with her sister’s husband.
Camilla’s mind argued, reminding her Kat was dead. But she countered that Kat would be turning in her grave if she knew what thoughts swam in Camilla’s mind right now.
The volume from below increased, bringing her fully awake. Whoever had intruded upon the Worthington home hadn’t stopped to think of the early hour.
She slipped out of bed and wrapped the silk robe around her nightgown before going to the bedroom door and opening it. She listened to the voices rising from the entry hall. Broderick’s voice boomed loudly, commanding the rude visitors to leave, but judging by the grumbles and protests, his demands fell on deaf ears.
Camilla stepped to the railing and peered down toward the front door. Four soldiers stood just inside, scowls etched on their faces as they clutched their rifles, looking ready for battle. When she recognized the captain who had accosted her the night before, her heart sank.
The captain puffed out his chest and moved directly in front of Broderick. “We wish to speak to Mr. Worthington. Sir, this is not a request, but an order.”
Broderick blocked their entrance with his body, keeping his arms straight as he braced the doorframe. “And I told you, Mr. Worthington is sleeping. No decent person with any scruples would call at this hour. Please return at a later time.”
The captain pushed a finger in Broderick’s chest. “Listen, you rude slip of a man, I’m on important business and I have matters to take up with Worthington himself, so if you will kindly move aside?”
Defiantly, Broderick shook his head. By the soldiers’ scowls and creased brows, they weren’t going to turn and retreat either. Any moment now the soldiers would override Broderick’s tactics, Camilla realized.
“What is your business, Captain Wilkes?” Broderick demanded.
“Late last night, a mob of men broke into Mr. Clarkston’s office and stole some important files. We were told Mr. Worthington and Mr. Clarkston have had grievances with each other in the past.”
Broderick nodded. “They have, but only because Mr. Clarkston has the same career as Mr. Worthington. So, what of it?”
“A witness to the incident thought he recognized Worthington.”
“Impossible.” Broderick snickered. “Mr. Worthington was home all evening. Last night he played with his children and had dinner with his wife. After dinner, they retired for the night, and Mr. Worthington has been in his room ever since.”
Camilla gasped, then quickly covered her mouth. He lied!
“Well then,” Captain Wilkes snapped, finally pushing past Broderick and entering the house, “Mr. Worthington should not be too upset if we ask him a few questions.”
Camilla’s heart hammered. Malcolm had left last night, and although she didn’t know what time he’d returned, she prayed he hadn’t done what the captain accused him of doing. Giving him an alibi would not only help him but help her. She didn’t want Malcolm to be arrested by the soldiers… yet. She needed more time to discover the truth. Perhaps doing this for Malcolm would also allow him to trust her.
Without another thought, she rushed down the hall and into his bedroom. The drapes were pulled closed, and very little light helped her find his bed. After stubbing her toe on the corner of a chair, and then again on the end of the bed, she reached the side. She threw off her robe before crawling on the mattress next to him.
“Malcolm, wake up.” In desperation, she shook him. Moaning, he turned toward her, and his muscular arm pinned her down. Just like last night when he had touched her, tingles spread throughout her body. She put aside the glorious feeling for now.
“Malcolm, please wake up.” Her heart hammered. “The soldiers will be here at any moment.”
She blinked, adjusting her eyes to the darkness until Malcolm’s face came into focus. He raised his head and looked at her with confusion on his face.
“Malcolm, it is I, Camilla. Now wake up.”
Quick as lightning, he bolted up straight and cursed. He grasped his head as if it were going to explode.
“Malcolm, be silent and listen. There are soldiers downstairs trying to force their way into the house. Broderick is keeping them away for now, but he cannot overpower them. I heard the captain say you were with a group of men last night who broke into Mr. Clarkston’s office and stole some files.” His forehead creased, but she continued. “I want to believe you were not part of that, but because you left last night, I cannot be certain.”
He scowled, pursing his lips.
“Malcolm, I can make them believe you were here all night, but you have to promise you were not part of that group.”
“I wasn’t part of that group,” he rasped.
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, but now I need to know where you were. If I lie and say I was with you, I have to know those soldiers will never discover the truth. If they find out, my very life would be at risk.”
“I am aware of that.”
Out in the corridor, pounding feet running up the stairs echoed. She gasped. “So, will you tell me?”
He looked away, but a small growl came from his throat. “I was at a tavern.” His eyes darted back to hers. “But it is not the way you are thinking.” He grumbled again and shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you. You don’t care, anyway.”
A wrenching pain speared her heart, making it hard to breathe. How could he leave her arms right after sharing a heated kiss and go get sloshed in a tavern? She wanted to yell at him and give him a sermon on the effects of consuming such vile drinks, but there was no time to act upon her turbulent emotions.
Forcing aside the hurt feelings, she laid her hand on his arm. “I will help you.” Angry voices and hurried footsteps grew louder. “Quickly, lie back and pretend you are sleeping,” she commanded, cuddling beside him.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her up against him. She rested her cheek against his bare chest, inhaling his wonderful, musky scent. His legs touched hers, and she automatically entwined them with his. Against her cheek, his chest hair tickled her skin.
I am in bed with a naked man who is not my husband.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down, and prayed the Lord wouldn’t punish her for trying to help Malcolm. The soldiers were right outside the door. Now wasn’t the time to analyze these stirring emotions fluttering through her belly.
Squeezing her eyes, she snuggled closer, clinging to him for protection. Within seconds, the soldiers kicked open the door.
“Captain Wilkes, I must protest,” Broderick shouted.
Playing in character, she stirred and rubbed her eyes. Next to her, Malcolm bolted upright then cursed.
“What in all that is holy—” He stopped and grabbed his head again.
Broderick rushed forward. “Mr. Worthington, I tried to stop them, but Captain Wilkes was most insistent.”
One of the other soldiers stormed to the window and yanked open the drapes.
Camilla squinted and clutched the bed covers to her chin. The men stared at her with wide eyes and mouths agape, especially Broderick. She prayed they would believe her.