As she moved toward her horse and servant, a man’s red uniform captured her attention. She gaped at the tall soldier coming toward her. He was the same man she’d run into uponher arrival that first day. By his sly grin and arched brow, it appeared he wished to further their acquaintance.
He stopped in front of her and bowed. She curtsied, even if she didn’t want to.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Worthington.” He tipped his hat.
She quickly studied his uniform to determine his status. “Good afternoon, captain.”
“Soon to be colonel, remember?” He took her hand and placed a small kiss on her knuckle.
“Of course I remember.” She wanted to withdraw, but his kiss wasn’t completely improper… yet.
He glanced up and down the street, and when his eyes met hers again, a mischievous grin touched his mouth. His grip tightened as his fingers softly caressed the skin.
“Have you any more information for me, my dear Mrs. Worthington?”
She moaned inwardly. Oh, no, not him, too.What had Kat done this time? Camilla shook her head. “None whatsoever.”
“And why not?” His brow creased. “Have your husband and his associates suddenly fallen off the face of the earth? I’m certain you have stumbled across some little tidbit about your husband’s dealings.”
Silently, she studied him. Could he be after what she was after—information that would prove Malcolm a criminal? Although he was a royal soldier, she hesitated to trust him.
She pulled her hand away. “If you have not heard by now, captain, I have recently returned from Preston. What sort of information could I have gathered being gone?”
The corner of his mouth twitched into a half smirk. Again, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, brushing a soft kiss across her knuckles. She shuddered and yanked her hand away.
His eyes widened in surprise. “Are you toying with me again, Kat? Or are you waiting for a kiss before you give me what I want?”
Her stomach lurched. Instinct told her she had to act like Kat, but she couldn’t bring herself to play this part. “No, captain. I am not waiting for any sort of kiss. As I told you before, I have no information. Now, if you will let me by?”
When she attempted to pass, he gripped her elbow, stopping her. Pain shot up her arm and she whimpered. Fear tried to make her succumb, but after everything that had happened today, anger took over.
“Madame Worthington, I warn you—”
“You warnme? I think not, sir. In fact, I’m warning you.” She yanked her arm out of his grasp, hopefully for the last time. “I would appreciate it if you would cease jostling me in public. Moreover, you had better display your patience more accurately, my dear captain, or you will receive nothing further from me. Information or… other gifts.” She marched back to her horse and quickly mounted. Timothy glared at the inane soldier as any protector would.
Before riding away, she witnessed the captain’s shocked expression. She said a silent prayer of thanks for being able to control the conversation. From what she had gathered being in Kat’s role, her sister had easily fallen for men’s charms. But these men would soon learn this particular Mrs. Worthington comported herself with restraint.
Confusion clouded Camilla’s mind, and she wanted the pounding in her head to disappear. She must discover what secrets Malcolm hid, and soon. If Malcolm were a criminal, she would turn him in. If he wasn’t, she prayed she would have the strength not to give him her heart.
Chapter Six
Camilla hesitated toleave her bath of luxury that evening, but the cold water threatened to turn her skin to prunes. As she towel-dried herself, the rose-scented soap assailed her senses, reminding her of home—a place she could not revisit in her mind without missing her father and sister.
She changed into a red evening dress. The selection of garments in her sister’s closet didn’t leave many suitable options. This particular dress had short, puffy sleeves, with white trim around the square bodice that was cut lower than she wanted. If only she could find that handkerchief she used the other evening.
Beth’s absence, tonight of all nights, had Camilla sighing in frustration as she sat at the dressing table trying to style her own hair. She coiled her hair in a loose knot, leaving a few tendrils around her ears, then found some white earbobs.
Satisfied with her appearance, she made her way down the stairs toward the parlor, where the playful voices of Malcolm and his children resounded through the corridor. Although she had yet to hear Lizzy speak, the little girl’s laughter lifted with merriment through the air.
The threesome didn’t see her when she stepped into the room. What a heartwarming scene with Lizzy and James perched on Malcolm’s lap as he read them a nursery story. Camilla had memorized the story when she was young, but itamazed her to hear Malcolm tell it. He added excitement, made the characters come to life, entertaining his children—and her—beyond belief. Warmth in her heart spread toward the man who might be committing unlawful acts. His ability to love his children unconditionally made her question whether he was truly as dishonest as Kat had led her to believe.
Malcolm’s gaze finally lifted from the book and fell upon her, his expression softened, and a smile touched his mouth. The sentence he had been reading stopped as he scanned her from head to toe.
Fluttering sensations swept through her, and the new emotion turned her mouth dry, but the palms of her hands moistened. Her numb mind wouldn’t allow her to think of a single word to say in greeting.
He closed the book, lifted his son and daughter off his lap, and stood. Like a panther stalking its prey, he slowly came toward her. The beating of her heart slammed against her ribs, but she remained still. A cheerful greeting came from James, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the incredibly handsome man in front of her. His light gray coat blended with his fawn trousers, the color enhancing his eyes, making them sparkle brighter.
He stopped and lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss on her knuckles. His eyes held hers. Scents of spice drifted around her, and although she wished otherwise, they stirred to life emotions hidden deep inside.
