Chapter Fifteen
Camilla stepped outside onto the back porch, and the wind blew against her face. The children were in the nursery. This afternoon, she needed time for herself, yet the more she thought about her problems, the more worried she became.
With a heavy ache in her chest, she walked toward the stable. The maid, Beth, had informed Camilla of the conversation one of the servants had eavesdropped on while at the bank. Mr. Worthington was meeting someone tonight at nine o’clock to secure a deal. All the servant knew was that the men spoke in hushed tones.
Anxiety hammered through Camilla. Would Malcolm tell her about this meeting? Was this the illegal action Kat had mentioned before she died? She prayed Malcolm would trust her enough to tell her the truth.
Doubts filled her mind, and she groaned. Although she loved him with all her heart, she didn’t think he fully trusted her. Although she had a hard time understanding why Malcolm did this, it was in his character to protect his heart. But her love for him was just as strong. She wanted him, his children, and the wonderful life she had experienced so far.
Stopping inside the stable, she glanced at her favorite horse, Thunder. The dark brown gelding neighed, bobbing his head in greeting. She smiled and walked to him, picking an apple out of the bucket by the door.
The animal acted more than happy to get the food, and as he munched noisily, she stroked his mane. She had always enjoyed being with horses, but right now, worry for Malcolm overrode all else.
From bits and pieces she had overheard him and Broderick discussing from time to time, she worried that Malcolm was trying to find the person who was stealing his work. She wouldn’t blame him if he was, but what if whatever he planned would get him arrested? She couldn’t bear the heartache of seeing him put in jail.
The sound of scraping wood echoed through the stable. She stopped. Listened. But didn’t hear it again. “Is anyone there?”
Thunder neighed and shuffled his feet. She stepped away from him, further into the stable, and listened. Her skin prickled with fear, unease running down her spine—a feeling somebody watched her.
“Is anyone here?”
Still no sound.
Shaking her head, she turned back to Thunder. Why had she experienced a cold chill as if someone watched her every move? She chuckled and stroked the horse’s mane. Must be her imagination.
“Good day, Mrs. Worthington.”
She jumped and turned toward Hyrum, one of the stable boys, as he walked through the wide-open doors. Seeing a familiar face, she sighed. “How are you faring today, Hyrum?”
“Just fine, Mrs. Worthington.” He picked up a brush and carried it over to her. “Thought you might like this.”
She smiled, taking the brush from him. “Thank you. You seem to know what I want before I can speak it.”
He grinned ear to ear, nearly displaying all of his teeth. “Did you need me to have your horse ready tonight?”
She scrunched her forehead. “Why would I want that?”
He stepped closer then peeked over his shoulder as he looked around the stable. Why did he look so secretive?
“Just in case you want to follow your husband, like you usually do when spying on him.”
Camilla’s breath caught in her throat. “Spy on my husband, Hyrum?” She turned to brush Thunder’s mane.
“Well, you haven’t done it for a while, and I thought that’s why you were here in the stable.”
She tightened her hand around the brush in mid-stroke. Spy on my husband. Her heartbeat accelerated. Yes, she could spy on her husband.
“And what else will you help me with?”
“Just like always, I’ll have the servant’s clothes in the empty stall for you to change into.”
She smiled. “You have done well, Hyrum. Remind me how much I owe you.”
Red stained his cheeks before he ducked his head and kicked the dirt with his foot. “Mrs. Worthington, you don’t owe me anything. I like helping you all I can, and I especially like it when you teach me about working in the stables. I’m learning more and more every day.”
A heavy sigh escaped her. “Well, Hyrum, you helped me, and I will help you.”
“I know.”
“Hyrum, will you have my horse ready tonight for me?”
He grinned. “Aye, Mrs. Worthington.”
Hyrum turned and walked out of the stable, his head held high, as if he’d won the game.
She smiled. The idea of sneaking off to spy on her husband tonight sent her heart beating fiercely against her ribs.
*
Trees canopied thedarkened sky and hid the moon, making the path harder to follow. The cool wind howled around Camilla, blowing leaves and dust in her face. With one hand she gripped the reins. With the other she pulled the hooded, dark brown cloak tighter around her head. The cool night’s breeze slipped through the man’s clothing she wore.
She still couldn’t believe she had been reduced to doing what Kat had done—spying on Malcolm.
After supper, her husband had told her he had to finish the drawings for Colonel Burwell because he needed to give them to the man by tomorrow. Did her husband realize she knew he was lying? It crushed her that he didn’t still trust her, but she couldn’t blame him, since she was lying to him as well.
She had feigned sleep until she heard him leave the house. Instead of following him immediately, she waited a few minutes, then left. She scrambled out of bed and ran to the stable to dress in the servant’s clothes Hyrum had left for her, mounted Thunder, and hurried on her way.
She had been trailing Malcolm at a distance for a while now, and it seemed as if he had just disappeared. Light fog had settled in the dark night. In the silence, a dog barked. Other dogs joined, and the sound grew louder as each second passed. She shivered and rubbed her arms.
When the moon broke through the fog and shone through branches, she reined in the horse and surveyed the surroundings. According to the instructions the servant gave her, the Lion’s Paw Inn was around here somewhere.
She nudged the horse with her heels, urging him forward. Just a little farther down the road, she was certain the inn would come into view. If not, she would return home. After all, spying was something new for her, and she was certain she didn’t know what she was doing.
After riding another mile—or, at least, it seemed that far—nothing was in sight. Discouraged, she tugged on the reins, turning the horse around. Through a group of trees, the fog had lifted enough for her to spot a building with lamps in the windows. Her heart pounded. Could this be the place?
She urged the horse forward into a gentle gait and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Malcolm’s horse standing at the side of the structure. She exhaled deeply. Comfort surrounded her at knowing he was near.
Climbing vines cloaked one side of the inn. She dismounted and tied Thunder to a tree before creeping closer to one of the windows. Inside, there were several tables and chairs, and a few patrons resting for a drink and some food. In the corner, she spotted Malcolm and an older man. Near their table was a window that was cracked open.
She smiled. Fate must be trying to help her.
Camilla took careful steps around the side of the building until she came to the window. She looked both ways, wanting to be certain nobody spotted her and thought she was up to no good. For certain, they would tell her to leave, and Malcolm might notice her.
On tiptoes, she leaned her ear closer to the window and, at the same time, kept a sharp eye out for anyone who might wander outside and see her. At first, she wasn’t sure what Malcolm was talking about. Listening closer, she struggled to zero in on their conversation.
It sounded as though Malcolm was describing a manor that was very large and luxurious. Even a fancy stable. She frowned. Why would he discuss that? Was he planning on moving? Yet the longer she listened, the more she realized that Malcolm was describing something he would build for the other man.
She hitched a breath. Why weren’t Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Crowley involved in this meeting? They were all partners. But Malcolm sounded as though he would take on this project alone.
Confusion swept over her, and she pulled away from the window. Slowly she moved toward Thunder. It would make sense that her husband didn’t want to work with his business partners, since he suspected them of being involved in the missing drawings. So, perhaps Malcolm was trying to start his own business.
The worry resting on her shoulders lifted. That wasn’t a bad idea. Malcolm’s talent would enable him to become wealthy on his own. So then why did he want to keep it a secret from her?
She mounted her horse and guided the animal down the path toward home. Thoughts scrambled through her head, of ways she could confess that she had followed him. But perhaps the way wasn’t to tell him, but to show him that she approved of his decision. Now, she needed to figure out the perfect way to do that.
She urged the horse forward, anxious about getting home to formulate a plan. As she neared town, familiar buildings took shape through the fog. She led her horse away from the main street, not wanting to be spotted by anyone who knew Malcolm.
Suddenly, prickles rose on her skin, and her stomach twisted in fear. She slowed her horse. Peering through the shadows, she felt as though someone was watching her.
She swallowed hard and pulled her cloak tighter around her neck. A shadow moved from behind a tree, and she caught her breath. A small animal darted in her path, and she yanked on the reins to stop the horse. Her heartbeat hammered out of control, but she breathed slower, trying to calm her fear. It’s only a cat.
But another danger lurked out there in the night shadows. It was as if a pair of eyes burned right through to her soul. She shivered. Urging her horse faster, she turned a corner. A single rider came out from the shadows and blocked her path. She tried steering Thunder around the intruder, but the large, dark figure reached out and captured her reins, not allowing her to pass. She wanted to scream but didn’t want to draw undue attention, especially if her husband was doing traitorous activities tonight.
Tears stung her eyes. She smacked the stranger’s hands, but he managed to slow her horse. He scooped her off her mount and placed her on his lap. It was then she recognized the red coat of a soldier underneath his dark brown cape. She gasped. Captain Wilkes. His deep laughter echoed through the night as he tightened his arms.
“My dear Mrs. Worthington. What an honor it is to run into you this late in the evening.”
She found her voice. “Release me.” She pulled at his hands around her waist, but his hold was unbreakable.
“But it is I, the man who holds your heart. No need to fear, my dear.”
Alcohol-soaked breath blew across her face. She grimaced, and her stomach knotted, threatening nausea. “Indeed, I know who you are, which is why I’m afraid.”
He cupped her chin. She slapped at his hand, but it didn’t budge.
He nuzzled his face against her neck. “But, my dear, you have not been to see me in quite some time, and I grow weary of your games.”
“Unhand me, or I will… I will…”
“You will what? Scream?” His laughter rang through the night. Off in the distance, dogs barked. “Are you playing the reluctant maid with me again?”
Her heart lodged in her throat, making it painfully hard to breathe. How could she get out of this mess? Malcolm wasn’t around to save her this time, and because she was perched on the soldier’s lap while his disgusting clutches held her prisoner, she had no choice but to comply. Camilla must become her sister—the very same woman this drunken fool believed her to be.
She forced her body to relax against his, and within seconds, his grip eased. He kissed her neck, just underneath her ear. She cringed.
“I have missed you,” he mumbled.
“I have been rather busy.” Her voice shook, but she kept it husky, playing his game until he could release her enough for her to escape.
“I want you to come home with me.”
She gritted her teeth to keep from openly displaying her disgust and losing the contents of her stomach. “Tonight is out of the question.”
“Why? You are wearing the same clothes and you are headed in the same direction as when you previously visited me. What is different about tonight?”
Camilla scrambled to think of what to say. “Uh, well… I’m being followed.”
His body stiffened, and his head snapped up as he scanned the area. “Followed? By whom?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps my husband or one of his servants.”
He looked around them once more. “Then we must get you inside somewhere quick.”
“No.” Panic threatened to engulf her sanity. “I must return home.”
He kissed her neck again. “I can protect you, my dear. I’m not afraid of your husband or his servants.”
How could she answer that one? Think harder, Camilla. Suddenly, she recalled his words when she met him out of the town not too long ago. She cleared her throat. “But my main purpose is to gain my husband’s trust so I have information to report to you. Is it not?”
He sighed, and his foul breath blew into her face. “Quite right, my dear.”
She forced herself to smile as she studied his shadowed face. Hopefully, he was too drunk to remember this in the morning. With a shaky hand and a great deal of effort, she reached out and touched his face tenderly. “I’m closer to gaining my husband’s trust. Once I accomplish that, I’m certain I will have more information for you.”
“I’ll put him away in prison, I assure you. Then we can be together the way we planned.” He relaxed and she sighed, but a deeper fear gripped her heart. Would the soldiers find incriminating evidence to arrest Malcolm? Obviously, someone was setting him up. She must do all she could to stop it.
From up the road, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves echoed in the silence, though the fog shrouded the oncoming rider. She must get off Captain Wilkes’s lap before being spotted. News like this would destroy Malcolm, especially now. “Please, let me down,” she whispered.
“One last kiss, my dear.” He leaned forward, lips puckered.
There was no other choice. She would give him one, and hopefully, do it quick enough that she could escape his hold.