Camilla gasped, then quickly covered her mouth.He lied!
“Well then,” Captain Wilkes snapped, finally pushing past Broderick and entering the house, “Mr. Worthington should not be too upset if we ask him a few questions.”
Camilla’s heart hammered. Malcolm had left last night, and although she didn’t know what time he’d returned, she prayed he hadn’t done what the captain accused him of doing. Giving him an alibi would not only help him but help her. She didn’t want Malcolm to be arrested by the soldiers… yet. She neededmore time to discover the truth. Perhaps doing this for Malcolm would also allow him to trust her.
Without another thought, she rushed down the hall and into his bedroom. The drapes were pulled closed, and very little light helped her find his bed. After stubbing her toe on the corner of a chair, and then again on the end of the bed, she reached the side. She threw off her robe before crawling on the mattress next to him.
“Malcolm, wake up.” In desperation, she shook him. Moaning, he turned toward her, and his muscular arm pinned her down. Just like last night when he had touched her, tingles spread throughout her body. She put aside the glorious feeling for now.
“Malcolm, please wake up.” Her heart hammered. “The soldiers will be here at any moment.”
She blinked, adjusting her eyes to the darkness until Malcolm’s face came into focus. He raised his head and looked at her with confusion on his face.
“Malcolm, it is I, Camilla. Now wake up.”
Quick as lightning, he bolted up straight and cursed. He grasped his head as if it were going to explode.
“Malcolm, be silent and listen. There are soldiers downstairs trying to force their way into the house. Broderick is keeping them away for now, but he cannot overpower them. I heard the captain say you were with a group of men last night who broke into Mr. Clarkston’s office and stole some files.” His forehead creased, but she continued. “I want to believe you were not part of that, but because you left last night, I cannot be certain.”
He scowled, pursing his lips.
“Malcolm, I can make them believe you were here all night, but you have to promise you were not part of that group.”
“I wasn’t part of that group,” he rasped.
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, but now I need to know where you were. If I lie and say I was with you, I have to know those soldiers will never discover the truth. If they find out, my very life would be at risk.”
“I am aware of that.”
Out in the corridor, pounding feet running up the stairs echoed. She gasped. “So, will you tell me?”
He looked away, but a small growl came from his throat. “I was at a tavern.” His eyes darted back to hers. “But it is not the way you are thinking.” He grumbled again and shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you. You don’t care, anyway.”
A wrenching pain speared her heart, making it hard to breathe. How could he leave her arms right after sharing a heated kiss and go get sloshed in a tavern? She wanted to yell at him and give him a sermon on the effects of consuming such vile drinks, but there was no time to act upon her turbulent emotions.
Forcing aside the hurt feelings, she laid her hand on his arm. “I will help you.” Angry voices and hurried footsteps grew louder. “Quickly, lie back and pretend you are sleeping,” she commanded, cuddling beside him.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her up against him. She rested her cheek against his bare chest, inhaling his wonderful, musky scent. His legs touched hers, and she automatically entwined them with his. Against her cheek, his chest hair tickled her skin.
I am in bed with a naked man who is not my husband.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down, and prayed the Lord wouldn’t punish her for trying to help Malcolm. The soldiers were right outside the door. Now wasn’t the time to analyze these stirring emotions fluttering through her belly.
Squeezing her eyes, she snuggled closer, clinging to him for protection. Within seconds, the soldiers kicked open the door.
“Captain Wilkes, I must protest,” Broderick shouted.
Playing in character, she stirred and rubbed her eyes. Next to her, Malcolm bolted upright then cursed.
“What in all that is holy—” He stopped and grabbed his head again.
Broderick rushed forward. “Mr. Worthington, I tried to stop them, but Captain Wilkes was most insistent.”
One of the other soldiers stormed to the window and yanked open the drapes.
Camilla squinted and clutched the bed covers to her chin. The men stared at her with wide eyes and mouths agape, especially Broderick. She prayed they would believe her.
Chapter Seven
