“I could not sleep a moment longer. The sun practically pushed me out of bed.” Camilla’s voice lifted with enthusiasm.
An ache pounded in his forehead, and he rubbed it with his fingers. Something wasn’t right. She usually slept late because of her nocturnal interests. “What are your plans for the day, may I ask?”
“I’m collecting a shopping list and will venture into the marketplace. I thought about taking James and Lizzy.”
Anger grew inside his chest like a boiling volcano. What was she thinking? He could never trust her with his children again. Shaking her back to reality seemed like a logical choice, but instead, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Why would you want to take my children with you, may I ask?”
Her smile faded. “I… I just thought they might enjoy an outing.”
“Why, so you can leave them frightened and alone again?”
She frowned, but blinked with surprise. Clearly, she was appalled by his words.
“I wouldn’t do that,” she said.
He rolled his eyes. “Of course not,” he mocked. “Except for those occasions you were tempted by another man and felt the urge to be alone with him, instead of watching my children.”
She sucked in a quick breath but kept her chin up. “I assure you, the children will be at my side at all times.”
“Do you expect me to believe you?” He folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t think so. I will feel more at ease if you take along one of the servants.”
“As you wish.”
What hewishedwas to understand her. Since she returned, her actions had left him very confused. Frustration built inside him as he wondered what schemes were brewing in that devious mind of hers. He knew how to handle her shrewish ways, but not her complacency.
He stepped closer, and the skirt of her dress brushed against his leg. Her rose scent surrounded him, and he breathed in the heavenly fragrance. He wondered why she wasn’t wearing the overpowering perfume that could stun small animals helpless for several minutes like she’d always worn.
Hard to admit, but he liked the changes in her. At the same time, he couldn’t control the doubts burning inside his head. She’d mentioned before she wanted to change, but he just couldn’t grasp the notion that she would. And even if shewantedto change, it didn’t matter. He had no room in his heart for women like her.
“Kat, I know not of your game, but mark my words, you will not succeed in toying with my mind any longer. You will not win, especially when it comes to my children.”
Her throat jumped. She blinked several times as excess moisture built in her eyes. Through her obvious emotional state, she kept her chin high and back straight. When she touched the sleeve of his arm, her hand shook, and once again he questioned her motives.
“Malcolm, please believe I will not harm your children. While I was away tending to my ailing sister, I realized the error of my behavior, and I vowed I would do everything possible to change myself.” She licked her trembling lips. “I will not hurt James and Lizzy ever again.”
A small throb built inside his head and confusion overwhelmed him. She was a good performer, but he wouldn’t fall victim to her schemes, and he’d make certain his children didn’t either.
“Mrs. Worthington, I will never again trust you with my children. If you want them to come with you then take a servant.” She withdrew her hand, but he grabbed her wrist. “And if I find out you have hurt them, I swear to God—”
“Malcolm, I’ll not hurt them. I assure you.”
He detected a spark of fear in her wide eyes, and a hint of sadness, too. He quickly ushered out the idea of her being sorry for her actions. Kat cared naught for anyone but herself. This was just part of her plan to destroy him.
He dropped her wrist like a hot coal and stepped back. “Make certain Jane goes with you. Have a pleasant afternoon, Mrs. Worthington.”
Tears filled her eyes. He couldn’t stand to look at her any longer—for fear her tears would make him sorry for his words—so he turned and stormed out of the house. Indeed, she was a great performer, but he would stay one step ahead of her.
Chapter Four
Camilla placed ashaky 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,beggedfor 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?”
