“Too late, my sweet.” He chuckled. “If you withdraw, I’ll have to release your husband as my partner. Now, that would not be very ethical, would it?”
Taking slower breaths, she calmed her panic, which gave her strength. She wasn’t about to give in to his threats, but then, she didn’t want to see Malcolm without a job.
She lifted her chin in defiance. “By joining your business with Malcolm’s, I have made you a rich man. If you let him go now, I can assure you your business will flounder. If you remember correctly, you cannot build vessels unless you have a drawing first.”
His dark brows drew together, and he sneered. “You little hussy.”
“But I think you knew that when you decided to make a deal with me, am I correct?”
He stomped toward her, fire dancing in his eyes. She skirted away, keeping large objects between them.
“Your husband wants something badly, and I’m the only one who can get it for him. Are you willing to risk that lovely neck for him once again?”
“I’m certain I don’t know what you mean.”
“He wants an invitation to Colonel Burwell’s country estate party this weekend, and I’m the only person who can get him in.”
She straightened. “If you think I’ll lower myself to do your bidding just so my husband can go to some party, you are sadly mistaken.” She pointed to the door. “Now, Mr. Kennedy, I do believe you have overstayed your welcome. Next time, may I suggest waiting for an invitation before dropping by?”
“I’m not finished with you.”
“Oh, but you are. If you don’t leave in the next minute, I will call for one of my servants and have you physically removed from this house.”
He scowled and stormed out of the room toward the front door.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Kennedy, and give your wife my regards.”
After the door slammed shut, Camilla exhaled, releasing all her anger. Her hands trembled, as did her knees. Could what Mr. Kennedy have said about Malcolm wanting to be invited to the colonel’s party be correct? But why? Malcolm didn’t look like a man who attended such functions.
When her legs could no longer hold her up, she wobbled toward the sofa. Just before she reached it, her toe caught on the rug, and she tripped. Her hand bumped the family Bible placed on the side table, making it fall on the floor. She righted herself then slumped on the cushions.
As she picked up the papers that fell out of the Bible, one caught her eye—a marriage certificate.
She traced her fingers across Malcolm’s name and a woman by the name of Victoria. James had never spoken of his mother, and of course Malcolm wasn’t going to offer any information, but the niggle of curiosity had her wanting to know about the woman who had been Malcolm’s first love. Had he truly been inlove with Victoria, or had he married her like he’d married Kat—quick and without proper time to get acquainted?
She glanced at the other sheet of paper—another marriage certificate. In big, bold letters, her very own maiden name jumped out at her:Camilla Emily Connelly.She gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth. I’mmarried to Malcolm?Ridiculous. Why had her sister forged her name on her own marriage certificate? At least that explained why they called her Camilla.
Her heartbeat quickened. A knot formed in her throat. From this certificate, it appeared as if Malcolm had married her instead of Kat. This couldn’t possibly be legal. She must find out these answers without raising suspicions.
Is Malcolm my husband… or Kat’s?
Chapter Eight
Malcolm stared atthe plate of eggs, sausage and honey scones his servant placed in front of him. Not in the mood to eat, he couldn’t stop thinking about his wife’s actions with Brandon Kennedy last night. Broderick had overheard the conversation between Kennedy and Camilla and had spied on them from another room to see how she handled him.
Malcolm shook his head in confusion. What was his wife up to now? For heaven’s sake, she’dliedto his business partner. That in itself was out of the ordinary. Malcolm’s wife would never snub Brandon, even in front of her husband, yet lately she had done it twice.
Leaning his elbows on the table, Malcolm cradled his head in his hands. Kat had actually told Brandon she had a good relationship with her husband—another lie. Why?
Then there was the incident the other morning when soldiers came into his room. It had shocked him when she climbed into his bed and acted innocent in front of their uninvited guests, but what perplexed Malcolm more was her motivation. Once again, she was willing to lie for him.
Not only were her actions misplaced, but he couldn’t decipher why his body reacted so violently to her beauty and charm. It had never spun out of control before, so why now?
He pushed himself away from the table and stood. His appetite had disappeared. Rest was even a stranger to him.Perhaps it was time to find out what happened when his wife went to Preston and why she returned a different person.
From out in the corridor, a rustle of skirts and the clicking of a woman’s shoes echoed through the front of the house. He swung toward the door. When he rested his lonely eyes upon Camilla’s beauty, his heart leapt. This morning she’d adorned herself with a rose-colored dress. The deep bodice had been altered, and a small amount of lace had been sewn in the material to hide her bosom. Her lovely hair was upswept into the same fashionable arrangement she had worn since returning from Preston.
Her outward changes stirred softer emotions in his heart. She appeared more reserved, more regal. More fitting as his wife—the kind of wife he had always wanted.
