“Yes. We are just still a little shaken from the ordeal, but we are fine.”
“My husband’s dog got away from my servants, again, the horrible animal. I wish he would get rid of the beast, but my husband loves Rottweilers.” She sighed. “I’m impressed with how brave you were when you stood against him.”
“I couldn’t let the dog attack us.”
The woman shook her head, a light of admiration gleaming in her eyes. “Well, I must say how happy I am to see that the animal finally lost a battle. He breaks away from my servants much too often, and I hear about all the children he attacks.”
“Well, I hope the dog will think twice before coming my way again.”
The woman laughed. “Can I put a name to such a brave young lady?”
“I’m Camilla Worthington. My husband is Malcolm Worthington, and these are his children.”
The lady held out her right hand in greeting. “And I’m Lady Burwell. Colonel George Burwell is my husband.”
Camilla’s eyes widened. Could this woman be the wife of the same man whom Malcolm sought an invitation from? “It is a pleasure to finally meet you. My husband speaks highly of the colonel.”
Lady Burwell’s forehead creased. “Your husband knows my George?”
“Yes. Colonel Burwell asked my husband to draw plans for the navy’s new ships, and Mr. Kennedy is going to build them for him.”
A light of awareness shone on the woman’s face, and she laughed. “Oh, yes, I know who your husband is now. Quite charming, he is, and very handsome, if I might add.”
“Thank you. I think so, as well.”
“If you are friends of Mr. Kennedy, then my husband has invited you to come to my party this weekend, has he not?”
“I’m sorry to say no. I don’t believe we have received an invitation, Lady Burwell.”
“You must be jesting.” The woman gasped. “Why, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Crowley are coming, so it is only proper you and your husband also attend. In fact, although it is late notice, I’ll send over an invitation this afternoon.”
Camilla’s heart leapt to renewed life. She couldn’t wait to see Malcolm’s reaction. What would he say? Would he reward her with a kiss? Just the thought made a different kind of thrill course through her body, moistening the palms of her hands.
As soon as she realized how excited the thought made her, she squashed the idea. She couldnotbe feeling this way, even if she was legally his wife.
“It will be a pleasure to get to know you and your dear husband,” Lady Burwell said. “I cannot wait to tell my guests what a brave lady you are. They will love to hear how you wounded that horrible dog.”
“Don’t make me out to be more than I am.” Camilla laughed. “The reason I reacted that way was to protect my children.” She reached down and drew them against her side.
Lady Burwell crouched to the children’s level and smiled. “You two are very lucky to have such a loving mother.” She patted their heads before standing. “I will see you this weekend, then?”
“Yes. And thank you for the generous invitation.”
After the woman left, Camilla held in the bubble of joyous laughter threatening to escape her throat. She grabbed James and Lizzy’s hands and hurried toward their coach. The day had been more productive than she could have ever imagined, and now she couldn’t wait to see Malcolm.
Chapter Nine
Malcolm climbed intohis coach and tapped on the roof, then braced himself when the vehicle lurched into motion. Today had been as bad as yesterday—worse, in fact, because he couldn’t stop thinking about this morning’s kiss. Undoubtedly, his wife’s charms had bewitched him, because she was certainly an enchantress. How else could he explain the sudden yearnings he experienced whenever she was around?
Exhaling a deep sigh, he relaxed in the seat and stared out the window. The sun descended over the horizon, pink and red shades highlighting the sky. Another day was almost gone without an invitation to Colonel Burwell’s weekend party. His plans to secretly search the man’s house were slowly fading from his grasp, and he feared he would never be able to find out if the colonel was behind the unfortunate things that had been happening to Malcolm of late. He still felt the colonel had something to do with them.
Why hadn’t the insufferable colonel invited him? Did the man suspect what Malcolm was secretly searching for? Had Kat told him? Why else would he invite Brandon and not Malcolm? Indeed, this was probably part of the plan to ruin Malcolm’s good name. What else could it mean?
The coach stopped, and he climbed out, storming into the house. After closing the door, he detected a change in the atmosphere. Servants chatted happily amongst themselves,and his butler and groomsman whistled. Certainly out of the ordinary.
When Camilla’s personal maid scurried past him toward the next room, he stopped her. “Excuse me, Beth.”
She turned his way. “Aye, Mr. Worthington?”
