Chapter Eighteen
Malcolm smiled and took Camilla’s hand, helping her out of the buggy. Shadows of doubt filled her eyes, making his chest ache with sorrow. He had been an imbecile, plain and simple. But he didn’t want to doubt her, and he didn’t want her to mistrust him. Bringing her hand up to his mouth, he kissed her knuckles. “My love, I trust you with my life.”
“Then prove it. Tell me what bothers you so.”
He hooked her arm over his and grabbed the quilt. She picked up the basket of food and walked next to him to the grassy field. After laying out the quilt on the ground, he sat.
She placed the basket of food in the middle and knelt in front of it.
“Camilla, forgive me for not speaking my worries sooner.” He paused, assisting her with preparing the food.
“Will you tell me now?”
“The night you were spying on me and I caught you with Wilkes, I had been meeting with a prospective client. You see, before I married your sister, I had my own business. Your sister didn’t think I made enough money, and so she arranged for me to become one of Mr. Kennedy’s partners. But I wasn’t happy. I knew he and Kat were having an affair. Of course, I wasn’t in love with Kat, but I hated how that man gloated every time he was around. I hated his telling me what I could and couldn’t do. I realized I wanted to go back in business for myself. Of course, it doesn’t help that I think he has something to do with stealing my drawings.”
He took a deep breath, took her hands in his, and continued. “One of the secrets I’ve been hiding is that I’m secretly gaining my clients back, but I’m in constant fear that Kennedy will find out and break our partnership before I’m ready. I don’t want to leave my family desolate because I can’t make enough money.”
“Oh, no, Malcolm.” She shook her head and kissed his knuckles. “We shall be fine. If you’re not happy with Kennedy, I will support you in leaving the partnership. If we run low on funds, I was a seamstress before I married Lord Hardy—”
“I wouldn’t dream of asking you to do that again.” Malcolm caressed her cheek. “But before I can leave him, I need to repair my reputation. I want to prove that Kennedy and Wilkes are behind this. Of course”—he frowned—“I’ll have to find out why Kennedy is doing this to his partner when it’s clear that my downfall will hurt his name, as well.”
She nodded. “Indeed, it would. Are you certain he is behind it?”
Closing his eyes, he shook his head. “I wish I could be certain, but I’m not. I thought Colonel Burwell was involved, and I had wanted to snoop through his study during our stay, but because I broke my leg, that stopped my plans.”
“Oh, my dear husband.” She leaned over and kissed his mouth briefly. “I wish I could assist you in some way.”
He clutched her shoulders, trying to keep her close to him. Whenever she was near, doubt had no room in his heart.
He gazed into her troubled green eyes. “My dear, it’s as I told you before—I don’t know how dangerous this is. I would rather know you and my children are protected, so please don’t try to help me.” He stroked his thumb across her bottom lip. “Promise me now that you will do as I say.”
She placed a kiss on the tip of his thumb. “Of course, my wonderful husband. You know all I want is to make you happy.”
He sighed, and relief flooded through him like a broken dam. It pleased him to hear her confession. He wouldn’t ask her if she was the unknown woman who had that letter delivered to Broderick. Malcolm’s heart told him she wouldn’t have done such a thing.
“Now we have that out of the way,” he said, “tell me what you and the children have done today.”
Her face lit up, and that familiar twinkle came back in her eyes. His heart melted with love the longer he stared at her, and he thanked the Lord once again for his good fortune in finding her.
The time passed much too fast, and soon the meal was over, and he needed to return to work. But before he ruined this perfect setting, and the mood, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small box.
“Camilla, I have a surprise for you. I thought about presenting this to you at home with the children, but I feel I must give it to you now.”
She wiped her mouth with the linen napkin. When she spotted the box, her eyes widened, and her face pinkened. “What is it, Malcolm?”
“I want to give you a token of my love for you and our marriage.” Reaching over, he took her left hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
“But Malcolm, I missed our first marriage. And I want to marry you in a church, and actually be present this time.”
He chuckled. “And we shall. Soon.”
“With the children in attendance?”
“Of course. Anything you would like.”
He opened the small box and withdrew a diamond ring. She gasped. “Oh, Malcolm.”
He slipped the band over her finger then kissed it. “I hope you will wear it always.”
“Yes, of course.” She laughed and cried at the same time.
He cupped her face and drew her near, sealing their promise with a kiss. She flung her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, causing him to lose his balance and fall backward. They laughed together, but, thankfully, their mouths didn’t part.
Although the position was most intimate, he didn’t care. Especially since the position of her lying on him was very comfortable and brought back memories of their night of pleasure. He moved his hands down her back to her hips and pressed her against him.
A deep cooing sound rattled through her throat, and her body relaxed completely. He groaned in delight… and agony. He wanted to repeat what they had done last night—however, they were where anyone could walk by and see them. What a scandal that would make. He really didn’t care about himself, but now that Camilla was making others respect her, he couldn’t ruin it now.
The horses neighed and brought him more alert. Grumbling in defeat, he broke away and smiled. “As much as I would enjoy doing nothing for the rest of the day but making love to you, I think we are in the wrong location for that.”
“Quite right.” She giggled and sat up, smoothing her dress around her legs.
“Do you know how much I love you?”
She lowered her lashes and gazed at his mouth. “Hopefully as much as I love you.”
He silently counted the minutes before he would be in her arms again. This woman would prove the death of him, but he would enjoy every moment.
*
The door tothe office opened, banging against the wall with a resounding crack. Malcolm jumped in his chair and spun toward the noise. Broderick rushed inside, his face flushed as he wheezed to catch his breath. He glanced toward Brandon’s empty desk before hurrying over to Malcolm’s side.
“Broderick, what ails you this afternoon? You look like you have been running for miles.”
His friend placed his hand over his chest, nodding. “It seems I have.” He chuckled. “But when I received the letter, I couldn’t wait to show you.” He handed over a folded piece of paper. “Read it.”
Malcolm opened the missive and glanced at the contents. “What? I don’t believe this.”
“Imagine how I feel right now.” Broderick wiped his sweaty brow.
Malcolm scanned the contents of the letter, slower this time.
Broderick Turner,
I have personally seen one of the stolen drawings in Captain Wilkes’s hunter’s cottage. Meet me tonight at midnight in front of his cottage. I have enclosed the directions. I shall help you obtain the proof that will clear your employer, Mr. Worthington, of the rumors circling town. I indeed want to finally meet you, Broderick. I have admired you from afar.
Affectionately, EC
Malcolm raised his gaze toward his friend and frowned. “Why would this mysterious woman want to meet with you and not me as well?”
His friend’s smile stretched. “I assume it’s because I have been diligently asking questions about her, and because of what she wrote.” He waggled his eyebrows and pointed to the letter. “Apparently, she has become enamored with me—proving, of course, she is not your wife.”
Malcolm threw back his head and laughed. Once his mirth was contained, he said, “No, my good friend, this woman is not my wife. I spoke with Camilla earlier this afternoon, and she is not this mystery woman.”
“Then let us hope the main reason this woman wants to help us is because she wants to get to know me better.”
“Indeed, that must be the reason.” Malcolm glanced at the letter again. “So, tonight at midnight? I wonder why so late.”
“Secrecy, of course.”
Unease gathered in Malcolm’s stomach. “Broderick? Would you like me to come along? Just in case you need help. I’ll hide in the bushes outside.”
“What could go awry when two strangers meet for the first time as they work together to clear your name?”
“I don’t know, Broderick. I have an unsettling feeling. The whole affair smells of a trap.”
“Cease your worrying.” Broderick slugged Malcolm’s shoulder. “I’m a grown man and can take care of myself. Besides, I’m very cautious, and I shall be suspicious of her when we meet.”
Malcolm chuckled over the irrationality of it all. “You are correct, my dear friend.” He handed back the letter. “Then I wish you good fortune. Be certain to let this woman know she will be rewarded for her kind, generous help.”
“Of course. That will be the first issue we discuss.”
Malcolm arched an eyebrow. “I’m certain it won’t be the first.” He pushed away from his desk and stood. “Shall we return home?”
Broderick led the way to the buggy with a bounce in his step. Malcolm grinned. He prayed the meeting would be to his friend’s satisfaction, and especially for the love interest Broderick was desperately trying to find.
*
Camilla made herway down the stairs to the dining room the next morning. Angry voices rose from the study. Malcolm’s voice boomed louder than the others, sounding panicked.
Curious, she hurried toward the room. Malcolm and five of his servants clustered inside his study. The door stood ajar, so she peeked inside. All the men held the same worried expressions of drawn brows and sorrowful eyes. Malcolm’s hands were balled at his sides.
He stalked to the liquor tray and poured a glass of bourbon—something he rarely did. He tipped it to his lips and gulped as if it was water. She had never seen him drink like that before.
Raking his fingers through his hair, he spun toward the group of men. “I don’t care about the soldiers,” he shouted. “Broderick has been arrested, and it shouldn’t have happened. I will do anything to get him out. We just need a plan, and quickly.”
Camilla gasped. Broderick in jail? No. Her heart sank. Malcolm would certainly get himself arrested if he tried to break out Broderick. Chills of fear ran down her spine. She couldn’t let Malcolm give his life for his friend.
“What if we hired an attorney?” one of the servants asked.
Malcolm growled and slammed his fist into the wall. “No. That will take too long, and knowing Wilkes, he will only prolong the procedure.”
“What about a distraction?” another man asked. “We can draw the soldiers away from the cell while somebody sneaks in and sets him free.”
Malcolm inhaled, and his nostrils flared with anger. “What kind of distraction?”
The man’s worried expression relaxed, and he smiled. “Oh, I know a few harlots who wouldn’t mind helping out.”
“I can see the possibility in that, but how do we break Broderick out?” Malcolm asked. “Someone needs to be inside the jail, and Captain Wilkes isn’t allowing Broderick to have any visitors.” He grumbled loudly. “I had a feeling the letter from that woman was a trap. Why didn’t I go with him?”
“Master,” Timothy said in a comforting voice. “Ye cannot blame yourself. It was Broderick’s decision.”
“Aye, but I should have done something.” Malcolm filled his glass with bourbon again and drank it down.
All heads lowered while silence filled the air.
Suddenly, an idea sprang to Camilla’s mind. She could help. But fear of the unknown washed through her. Malcolm might not agree, but she would convince him that this was the only way.
With a shaky hand, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Malcolm’s gaze snapped toward her.
“Malcolm, might I have a word in private with you?” His brows drew together, and she feared he would turn her down. “Please, it’s important.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and nodded. “Excuse me. I will not be but a moment.”
She grasped his hand and pulled him into the parlor, closing the doors behind her. She met his gaze and cupped his face. His eyes didn’t hold the familiar sparkle, and her heart wrenched. “Malcolm, I overheard your plans to break Broderick out of jail, and I have an idea.”
He smiled, but not fully as he wrapped his arms around her. “My love, I appreciate your willingness to help, but I’ll not allow you to be put in danger. I love you too much.”
“Then do you know someone else who has been intimate with Captain Wilkes lately? Because I don’t think he will trust anybody but Kat.”
“Whatever is in that pretty little head of yours, the answer is no.”
“Will you just listen before you give an answer?”
A nerve in his cheek jumped, but he nodded.
“Kat could make that man behave in ways he would not normally do. She had some kind of hold over him, and I think if I play my sister, I might be able to help break Broderick out of jail.”
“What is your plan?”
She exhaled slowly. “I’m thinking about getting him drunk.”
His eyes widened. “And how will you manage that?”
“I can arrange to meet with him at the jail—alone—then get him intoxicated. Because of the man he is, I don’t believe he will turn down a secret rendezvous.”
“You are correct. Go on.”
“After he passes out, I can help you and the others inside. I will get the keys from Captain Wilkes, and we can sneak Broderick out.”
“My dear Camilla, I don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way.”
“I trust you will protect me when I need it.” She stroked his cheek. “I know you will be watching me from afar, so I’ll be protected.”
“You’re right. I will.”
“If you allow me to help you with this, I will be able to get the keys so we can sneak him out.”
Malcolm’s lips twitched into a grin. “Or Broderick can walk out on his own.”
Confused, she wrinkled her forehead. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it. Broderick and the captain are the same height, the same build. They even have the same raven-black hair. After the captain passes out, you can unlock Broderick’s cell, and he will steal Captain Wilkes’s uniform and walk out with you on his arm.” Malcolm shrugged. “The other soldiers will not think any different.”
She laughed and hugged him. “I have faith this will work.”
He kissed her on the mouth. “So do I.”