“Inside this beautiful woman lurks evil, darker and more sinister than I could have imagined. You have plans swimming around in your lovely head that are meant to hurt and destroy people’s lives.”
Inwardly, she cringed. What exactly had her sister done to make him believe such things? She wanted to confess her true identity, simply to hear soft, gentle words leave his mouth.
“Malcolm,” she whispered, her breaths coming in short gasps. “You shouldn’t be so unkind. You don’t know what happened to me when I went to be with my sister.”
“Shh,” he said in a husky tone.
She wanted to continue, but his knuckles continued to stroke her neck. Holding her breath, she waited for his next move.
“Say no more.” He leaned closer as his other arm dropped from the back of the sofa and circled her shoulders. His mouth was mere inches above hers. “I don’t care what happened. But just for tonight, I want to imagine you are somebody else and not the selfish woman I married.”
“Iamsomebody else,” she whispered.
Gently, he touched his lips to hers. Heated sparks multiplied through her body, and she released a sigh. His lips nipped at hers and then caressed back and forth, urging her to relax. She mirrored his movements, hoping nothing would break the spell. He pulled her closer, and she laid her hand on his chest. Beneath her palm, the wild beating of his heart vibrated. Her heartbeat matched his rhythm perfectly.
He cupped the side of her face. The tenderness of his touch melted her even more, and a small groan tore from her throat. Within that moment, he slid his tongue into her mouth. Shock vibrated through her, but so did pleasure, overriding any emotion she had. The hot, velvety texture of his tongue stroking awareness into her mouth was her undoing. This time when she sighed, her chest rattled.
She had never felt anything so exhilarating in her life. Her husband had been too demanding, and she liked the gentleness Malcolm displayed much more. She itched to caress him, to run her fingers through his hair just like she had imagined that first day when they met. But before she could summon the courage, the dinner bell rang.
He jerked away, peering at her with smoldering eyes. His gaze jumped between her mouth and her eyes before his brows drew together in confusion.
She caught her breath, hoping he didn’t doubt his own actions. She hadn’t. She wanted more. “Malcolm.” She reached for him, but he jumped from the sofa as if he had been burned.
“Mrs. Worthington.” His tone had turned cold once again. “I hope you have a nice meal tonight, because I have suddenly lost my appetite.”
He rushed out of the parlor. The slamming of the front door confirmed his departure.
*
Angry voices wokeCamilla from a most pleasurable dream. As her mind slowly became alert, she still experienced the tingling of Malcolm’s lips on hers, and his fingers across her neck. In her dream their kiss hadn’t been interrupted, and he had caressed her neck, her shoulders, and down her bosom. In her dream, his lips had followed the trail of his hands.
Now awake, she scolded herself for becoming so infatuated with her sister’s husband.
Camilla’s mind argued, reminding her Kat was dead. But she countered that Kat would be turning in her grave if she knew what thoughts swam in Camilla’s mind right now.
The volume from below increased, bringing her fully awake. Whoever had intruded upon the Worthington home hadn’t stopped to think of the early hour.
She slipped out of bed and wrapped the silk robe around her nightgown before going to the bedroom door and opening it. She listened to the voices rising from the entry hall. Broderick’s voice boomed loudly, commanding the rude visitors to leave, but judging by the grumbles and protests, his demands fell on deaf ears.
Camilla stepped to the railing and peered down toward the front door. Four soldiers stood just inside, scowls etched on their faces as they clutched their rifles, looking ready for battle. When she recognized the captain who had accosted her the night before, her heart sank.
The captain puffed out his chest and moved directly in front of Broderick. “We wish to speak to Mr. Worthington. Sir, this is not a request, but an order.”
Broderick blocked their entrance with his body, keeping his arms straight as he braced the doorframe. “And I told you, Mr. Worthington is sleeping. No decent person with any scruples would call at this hour. Please return at a later time.”
The captain pushed a finger in Broderick’s chest. “Listen, you rude slip of a man, I’m on important business and I have matters to take up with Worthington himself, so if you will kindly move aside?”
Defiantly, Broderick shook his head. By the soldiers’ scowls and creased brows, they weren’t going to turn and retreat either. Any moment now the soldiers would override Broderick’s tactics, Camilla realized.
“What is your business, Captain Wilkes?” Broderick demanded.
“Late last night, a mob of men broke into Mr. Clarkston’s office and stole some important files. We were told Mr. Worthington and Mr. Clarkston have had grievances with each other in the past.”
Broderick nodded. “They have, but only because Mr. Clarkston has the same career as Mr. Worthington. So, what of it?”
“A witness to the incident thought he recognized Worthington.”
“Impossible.” Broderick snickered. “Mr. Worthington was home all evening. Last night he played with his children and had dinner with his wife. After dinner, they retired for the night, and Mr. Worthington has been in his room ever since.”
