Chapter Twenty-One
Camilla’s body screamed in pain. Her skull had long since stopped throbbing, but being in one position for a lengthy amount of time stiffened every muscle in her body. When Captain Wilkes wasn’t looking, she tugged both her arms and legs, trying to free herself from the ropes. But to no avail. After several hours, she slumped in the corner in exhaustion.
She leaned her head against the wall. Where was Malcolm? Kat must have stepped back into her role as Mrs. Worthington, which meant nobody would be the wiser. She blinked back the tears threatening to streak down her face. Crying wouldn’t assist Malcolm in rescuing her, so why waste her energy?
Captain Wilkes had stepped outside the barn, and relief flooded through her, if only for a moment. He had wanted to touch her improperly, but Kat’s jealousy overrode her revenge. She’d instructed him not to lay a finger on Camilla.
Her stomach knotted and she bent over. What had happened to her sister to make the woman so evil? Kat had always been the twin who could wrap their father around her finger. She had always received everything she asked for. Even Camilla had given in to her sister’s spoiled antics. But Kat had always wanted more. Much more—this time at the cost of her own sister.
Captain Wilkes sauntered back inside, smirking. The sun was making its descent, forming shadows. He picked up the lantern and lit it.
“You had me fooled, you know. I honestly thought you were Kat all this time.” He knelt beside her and lifted a lock of hair, pressing it to his nose, inhaling deeply. “Although, I must admit, you smell so much better than your sister.”
“I hope my sister doesn’t hear you say that. You know how she gets when she is angry.”
He sighed and let her hair fall from his fingers. “Yes. She can be such a devil.”
“Captain Wilkes? Tell me, do you believe me to be insane?”
He sat back, running his gaze over her face and neck. “If you are, you certainly don’t play the part.”
“What about my sister? Do you think she is ill?”
“No. But you are completely different. She is wild; you are tame.” He stroked her cheek. “I almost wish you were like Kat.”
“If I were, Malcolm wouldn’t have fallen in love with me.”
He laughed and stood. “He is a fool. But then, I have known this all along.”
“What are your plans for Malcolm when he comes to rescue me?”
His chest shook with silent laughter. “You think he will come?”
“I know he will.”
“What a faithful, devoted woman you are.”
“What have you planned, captain?”
He stepped over to the window and peered out. “Well, if Mr. Worthington does come, I shall just have to arrest him for trying to break a prisoner out of jail. Kat planned this months ago. You see, with both Turner and Worthington in jail, there will be an accident and both men will die. Kat will become the wealthy widow, and I will earn my promotion to colonel and become wealthier myself. With Kat by my side, there isn’t anything we cannot conquer.”
“Don’t be too sure of yourself. You are underestimating my husband. He is a brilliant man.”
He turned and faced her, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do you think me dimwitted? Kat and I have a foolproof plan.”
She squirmed, hoping again to loosen the ropes, but they didn’t budge. She sighed in desperation. “All I can say is that evil men like yourself always come out the losers.”
He laughed, stepped away from the window, and headed in her direction. The dark look in his eyes sent chills over her body. Should she remind him of Kat’s warning? The lowering sun threw shadows on his face. He appeared meaner, yet more determined. She swallowed hard.
“I have had enough talk for now.” He knelt beside her and ran his knuckles along her cheek. “I’m bored, and you are the only person who can remedy that matter.”
She pulled back but couldn’t get away from his touch. “Please, captain. My sister will be very upset.”
“Your sister doesn’t need to know.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I will tell her.”
“I will rebut your story.”
His hand moved down her neck, and he stroked the skin at the base of her throat. She wanted to spit in his face but resisted. He would certainly strike her.
She struggled once more with the ropes at her wrists, but they were still too strong, making it impossible to free her hands. “Get away from me,” she yelled.
“Never. I have come to care for you a great deal.”
Following her first instincts, she spat in his face. He pulled back, eyes wide, jaw slack. He scowled and backhanded her across the face. She cried out. Her skin stung from his blow. He raised his hand again, and she cringed, preparing for the next strike.
*
When Malcolm rodecloser to the deserted barn, he wondered if his friend had been correct by telling Malcolm that he’d seen a soldier bring a woman here that resembled his wife. But when he heard his wife’s scream, he said a silent prayer that his friend had been right.
Malcolm rushed into the barn—and then stopped. In the corner, Captain Wilkes’s red uniform caught his attention, as well as the squirming woman he held.
A burst of anger shot through Malcolm, and he itched to grab the sword at his side. Instead, he ran toward the soldier and seized the man by his coat. Malcolm found the strength to pick him up and fling him against the wall.
His wife’s eyes widened, then she squealed his name. He knelt beside her and took her in his arms. “Are you all right?”
She sobbed into his chest, and his heart shattered. He wished he had arrived sooner. It tore him apart knowing he hadn’t stopped another man from harming her. What kind of husband did that make him?
“Shh…” he soothed, stroking her hair. “Captain Wilkes won’t touch you again.”
A yell ripped through the air, and he snapped his head toward the soldier. Wilkes’s foot connected with Malcolm’s chest and knocked him away. Pain shot through his body, and he inhaled sharply, clutching his chest. The captain raised his foot to strike him again, but Malcolm rolled in the opposite direction. He jumped up and faced his opponent.
Hunched over, arms outstretched, the other man circled him.
“I don’t want to kill you this way,” the captain said. “We have other plans for you.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but it won’t happen.” Malcolm narrowed his eyes. “Because I plan on killing you right now.”
Wilkes laughed and shook his head. “What a brave man you pretend to be, but I know many men who are cowards just like you. Killing you will be rewarding.”
“And it will be rewarding to rid Dorchester of greedy buggers like yourself.”
Wilkes lunged at him and tightened his hands around Malcolm’s throat. He struggled to take in air, but he couldn’t. His head pounded, and his lungs burned. The pressure in his throat began to numb his mind.
He pulled at Wilkes’s hands, but they were immovable. Using his foot, Malcolm lashed out, hitting his opponent’s knee. The man cried out and fell to the ground. Malcolm jumped on him and squeezed the man’s neck, giving him a taste of his own medicine.
The captain choked, gasping for air. Malcolm tightened his grip. The soldier struggled, rolling them both over. But Malcolm still held the man’s throat. Wilkes rolled once more, and Malcolm’s foot struck an object. Breaking glass from the lantern flew through the air. In a whoosh, flames ignited the hay.
He glanced over his shoulder. Fire danced too close, and the heat touched his skin. Smoke curled around him, stinging his nose. He coughed. The flames licked at him and threatened to jump on his clothes.
Camilla screamed. “Malcolm, hurry.”
He cursed and bounded away from the fire, releasing Wilkes. The captain stood and reached for his saber. Malcolm unsheathed his own sword from its scabbard, bringing it up just in time to stop his opponent’s lunge.
The man parried with such skill that Malcolm felt at a disadvantage. Yet it didn’t matter. Outrage and justice backed him. He fought for his wife, which gave him the needed strength to counterattack.
“I’m going to kill you, you blackguard,” Wilkes said. “You have humiliated me for the last time.” He was breathless and sweating, his lips curled in an evil grin. “This will be the day I cut out your heart.”
“I’ll deny you the chance.” Malcolm moved swiftly away from the other man’s weapon. His own breath came labored, more from anger than weakness.
Around the room, they parried. Malcolm lunged, and Wilkes jumped away. Fire roared behind the captain, and he scrambled away, stumbling over a burning board.
“You’re growing weak, captain.” Malcolm snickered.
“Nonsense.”
The captain thrust his sword forward, slicing Malcolm’s arm. A spot of blood quickly dampened his shoulder. He ignored the pain. The movement stilled the other man for a brief moment, and Malcolm lunged and stuck the tip of his saber into Wilkes’s chest. Immediately crimson liquid stained the soldier’s white shirt front as he fell to his knees, the weapon in his hand clinking to the ground beside him.
Malcolm stepped over and kicked the steel across the floor. Wide eyes stared up at him, and color abandoned Wilkes’s stunned face.
“Are you… going to let… me die… slowly?” he rasped.
For all the anger surging through Malcolm, he sensed the fright in the captain. He couldn’t bring himself to be anything less than merciful, even to his enemy.
“Malcolm!”
His wife’s terrified plea brought his attention to her. Flames had spread through the barn, nearing her. He hurried over and knelt beside her. He fumbled with the ropes at her wrist.
The burning wood cracked. The roof creaked, and he glanced toward the captain. The man lay on his back, wide-eyed as he stared at the roof. Within seconds, it caved in on top of him.
Malcolm grabbed Camilla, turning away from the burning man. He picked her up and rushed out of the barn.
He gazed into the tearful eyes of his wife. Using his thumb, he wiped away the liquid from her cheeks. “I feared I had lost you.”
“And I feared you wouldn’t find me.”
“I would move heaven and earth to find you.” He kissed her forehead.
“Malcolm, your shoulder.”
“It’s only a scratch. I will live.” He reached behind her and tugged at the ropes on her wrists. They loosened. “There.” Relief flooded through him.
She shook off the binds and reached for the ties at her ankles. Through the crackling of the burning wood, another blast resounded through the night. A pistol exploded nearby. Pain pierced his injured arm, and he cried out, falling onto Camilla.
She screamed.
He grabbed his wound and spun around. Kat walked away from a tree, pointing the still-smoking weapon his way. Her brown hair framed her head in an untamable silhouette.
“Katherine, no,” Camilla cried.
Malcolm winced as the pain made his arm useless. “How did you get free?”
Kat laughed, and the eerie lift of her voice drifted through the air like a whistle. “You forgot about my maid, Beth.”
He tightened his hand around his bloody arm. “She’ll not be working for me much longer.”
She shook her head. “Once again, I must prove you wrong. She will continue to be my maid. After all, the Widow Worthington will need all the support she can get when her husband dies.”
Camilla sobbed beside him. He blocked her with his body, keeping himself in front of Kat’s pistol.
“Kat?” His wife sniffed. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because I don’t want to be his wife.”
“But you’re not. I’m his wife.” A sob made Camilla’s voice tight.
Kat shrugged. “I will be once you are out of the way, and I step back into my role as Mrs. Worthington. Besides, I need his wealth in my fight for power.”
Malcolm scowled. “What are you planning to do with Camilla?”
A smile slowly crossed her face. “Don’t you mean Kat, my poor, insane sister? I will send her back to the asylum from where she escaped, of course.”
“You have no heart, Kat.” He glowered.
She shrugged. “Yes, in a sense.” She neared, still pointing the weapon at him.
“You’ll have to reload if you plan to shoot me again.” He dropped his focus to the pistol.
She shook her head, and then brought around her other arm from behind her, displaying a saber. “Not if I kill you another way.”
Kat lifted the rod of sharp steel. Her eyes blazed dark and evil as she tightened her hands on the handle. Narrowing her gaze, she focused on him.
Without a doubt, she would kill him. He brought up his arm to block her attack.
*
Camilla screamed andpressed her body firmly to her husband, closing her eyes. She said a silent prayer that his life would be spared.
Off in the distance, a man’s shout rent the air, and seconds later, another pistol fired. And then something thumped heavily on the ground.
Camilla snapped her head up. No longer was Kat standing over them holding a pistol. Instead, she lay on the ground as blood covered her chest.
Malcolm’s gasp alerted Camilla to someone walking their way… holding a smoking pistol. Broderick frowned, and his gaze stayed on Kat’s lifeless body.
Camilla scrambled to stand, pushing Malcolm away. She ran and fell to her sister’s side. With a shaky hand, she touched Kat’s cold, colorless face. Her lips were turning blue.
“Oh, Katherine,” Camilla sobbed. She took her sister’s hand, lifted it to her cheek, and kissed the palm. Kat’s chest gradually stopped moving.
Camilla’s heart ached with sorrow, and as she sobbed, her cries echoed in the night. Malcolm knelt beside her and slipped his arm around her shoulders. Across from her, Broderick knelt next to Kat’s body.
He placed the weapon on the ground. Tears glistened in his eyes. “Please forgive me, Camilla, but I couldn’t have your sister killing my friend.”
Her breaths were ragged as she calmed her cries. “There is nothing to forgive. You did what needed to be done.” She glanced down at Kat and tenderly touched her cheek. “My sister is well now.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “No longer will she be able to hurt people.”
Malcolm grasped his friend’s shoulder. “How did you escape?”
Broderick wiped his wet eyes. “The soldiers were searching for Captain Wilkes and left me unattended. Jane, Timothy, and the children found the keys and rescued me.” He shook his head. “Can you believe the soldiers didn’t take the keys?”
“The children?” both Camilla and Malcolm gasped at the same time.
“They are safe,” Broderick reassured them. “Absolutely no one noticed them.”
Men’s shouts rose from a distance. Camilla hitched a breath and looked toward the trees where the voices came. “The fire.” She turned to Malcolm. “We need to get Broderick out of here.”
Her husband’s attention dropped to Kat. “What should we do with her? If the soldiers see her, they will think she is you.”
Camilla jumped up and glanced toward the burning barn. There was only one course of action. Her heart wrenched. This was no way for her sister to end her life on earth, no matter how evil Kat was. But the fact remained that there could not be two Camilla Worthingtons. And Kat was already dead.
“We must place her body inside the barn.”
Malcolm touched her shoulder. “Are you certain?”
Her throat tightened with a sob, and she nodded. While Malcolm and Broderick rose to their feet and lifted Kat’s body, Camilla picked up the saber and turned to follow.
“Stay back,” Malcolm instructed her. “Don’t get too close to the flames.”
She held her breath, her hand to her mouth as she witnessed her sister’s body thrown in the fire. Squeezing her eyes closed, she said a prayer for her sister. But it had to be done. She only hoped the good Lord would forgive her.
Malcolm and Broderick ran back to her. Her husband grasped her arm. “We must hurry and get out of here.”
“Let us head toward the docks,” Broderick said. “Timothy informed me that a boat will set sail at any moment. There is no other way. I must leave Dorchester forever.”
Voices coming from the wooded area grew closer. She clutched Malcolm’s arm as he led them away from danger. She ran, and her limbs throbbed with each step. Malcolm wrapped his arm around her waist and held her tightly to his side. Burning streaks of pain shot up her legs, reminding her she hadn’t run like this in ages. But they were running for their lives. For Broderick’s life.
She stepped on the hem of her dress and stumbled. Malcolm grasped her with both hands.
“Malcolm, my legs—they aren’t strong enough. You go on without me.”
“I’ll never leave your side again.” He lifted her in his arms and winced, his right shoulder sagging.
“Put me down. You cannot carry me.”
Broderick stepped to them. His breaths came fast. “We are close enough to the docks. I shall go by myself.”
“No.” Malcolm grasped his friend’s hand.
“All will be well now.” Broderick stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Malcolm. The two men embraced, and then drew apart. Broderick leaned in and kissed Camilla’s cheek. He smiled. “Make him happy.”
Tears collected in her eyes once again. She nodded. “I intend to.”
“I love you… both of you. Now hurry. Return home before you are caught. Please, be safe.” Broderick lifted a hand in farewell, then turned and ran down the hill toward the water.
Camilla tightened her arms around her husband’s waist. “Will we ever see him again?” She looked up at the wonderful, brave man beside her.
“Yes. After all of this dies down, I will find my good friend.”
“I shall miss him.”
“As will I.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “But Broderick is not safe here. The soldiers will be looking for him because of his escape, and now they might suspect him of killing Captain Wilkes.”
“What if they do not? What if they suspect you?”
“There is no proof.”
She touched his chest and pleaded with her eyes. “But what if they do?”
“Only Captain Wilkes had reason to see me dead, and of course, that was because of your sister.”
Camilla leaned her head against him. The tender look in his soft gaze made her heart melt. “You are my life, Mr. Worthington, and I want to be right by your side forever.”
He tightened his arms around her. “You are my life, also, and I live for you and my children.”
Tears of joy stung her eyes, and she buried her face in his chest. Her love for this man grew, making her heart swell.
“Malcolm, do you know how happy you have made me?”
He withdrew only inches, gazing down into her eyes. His smile stretched across his face. “And you have completed my life, and the lives of my children. What more could I ask for?”
She chuckled and traced her finger across his bottom lip. “How about another child?”
With a growl, he pulled her to him and kissed her lips for only a moment before he led her toward the safety of their house. “How soon can we get started?”