Camilla smiled. “Splendid, Horace.”
“Here’s the list.”
Camilla took the paper from Horace. “Do you know if my husband left money for me to go shopping?”
The servant’s brow creased. “Why no, Mrs. Worthington, of course not. He has an account in all the stores.”
“Oh, I know,” Camilla said, recovering quickly, “but I just thought about purchasing something nice for James and Lizzy.”
The older woman arched a suspicious eyebrow. “You can charge it to Mr. Worthington’s account.”
Camilla tried to keep the smile pasted on her lips, although she wanted to scream with frustration. Perhaps she was being too obvious. She needed to gain Malcolm’s trust, therefore she must act like a good wife and loving mother. Convincing him of that would be a challenge, though.
“Yes, of course.” Camilla folded the paper and slipped it inside her small wrist-purse.
“Have a pleasant outing, Mrs. Worthington.”
“Thank you. I plan on having a wonderful time.”
She left the kitchen and moved toward the stairs to collect the children, hoping the maid, Jane, had them ready. The children descended the stairs with dreary expressions that tugged at her heart. She wanted to be the one to remove their frowns and, more importantly, their fear.
In their morning together, she hoped to prove Kat wasn’t the bad stepmother Malcolm had convinced them she was. When the truth finally came out, she wanted James and Lizzy to look upon her as the caring aunt—someone they could depend on to care for their welfare when their father was arrested for his crimes.
As the children neared, she gave a reassuring smile. “I’m so delighted you will be joining me. We shall have an exciting day.”
James shrugged, and Lizzy’s gaze stayed on her shiny brown shoes. Camilla sighed. The morning would be difficult, but well worth the effort. She took James’s hand and tried to take Lizzy’s, but the little girl scurried to the other side of her brother and clasped his hand. She led the two outside to the awaiting buggy.
Malcolm’s servant, Broderick, stood by the vehicle waiting to assist. She tried to ignore his wry stare as he helped the childrenclimb aboard, but when she made an attempt to step up into the back, he tugged on her arm.
“Mrs. Worthington,” he said. “Where are you going? You always sit up here with me.”
“Not today, Broderick. I will sit in the back with James and Lizzy. Jane can sit up front with you.”
She pulled her arm from his grasp and climbed in back. James locked his stare with hers, his eyes wide.
“Is that all right with you?” she asked the boy.
He nodded, a small grin tugging at his mouth. Her heart melted.
The morning turned out better than she expected. Although Lizzy still didn’t speak, James enlightened her about some of his adventures. She listened and laughed at his stories. She even dared tell a few stories of her own childhood. The boy’s countenance changed. She was headed in the right direction in her quest to win his heart.
James held her hand as they wandered through the market, Lizzy and Jane following not far behind. Every so often, she turned and looked at the adorable four-year-old and smiled, asking if she were all right. It was Jane, not Lizzy, who gave a positive response each time.
Although Camilla tried not to act as if this were her first time in Dorchester, she couldn’t help but fall in love with the town. Finally, a place she could walk down the streets and feel free. No restrictions from her deceased husband’s gambling debts. And if she dared admit, no restraints from her twin sister’s overpowering hold.
Yet Kat still controlled her now, even in death. Thankfully, it wasn’t the same.
The group hurried into the next shop, and Camilla’s smile stretched wider. Just what she had wanted to find.
“James.” She crouched to his level. “Would you and Lizzy like to get a gift for your father?”
“Oh, yes.” He nodded fiercely. “May we?”
“Of course. Let’s see.” She scanned the room that held only a few patrons. “What do you think your father would like?”
Jerking on her arm, James pulled her to a table of elegant and expensive slippers. She gasped at the price. These merchants were nothing but thieves.
James and Lizzy moved to the next table, and Camilla took Jane aside. “Do you think my husband would mind us purchasing some items at this shop?”
