Lady Burwell set her teacup down. “I’m not certain they even have a suspect.” She puffed out her chest. “But if there is a leader, I assure you, my husband will find him.”
A gust of air escaped Malcolm’s lungs as murmurs of agreements bounced throughout the small group of women, but Camilla didn’t speak. Once again, his suspicions were aroused. The night Brandon and his wife had been to dinner, Camilla had voiced her opinion about nearly every topic, but now she merely glanced around the circle of guests. She sucked in her bottom lip, nibbling it. Her brows drew together as if she were confused. Then she cleared her throat, receiving their attention.
“Lady Burwell?” Camilla asked, frowning. “Exactly what was damaged in the man’s office?”
Lady Burwell smiled politely and met her gaze. “I don’t know. However, I was told a few files were missing. Mr. Clarkston’s son is one of our fine soldiers, and good people such as the Clarkstons should be treated with more respect.”
“Forgive me,” Camilla continued, “but can you tell me what qualifies someone asgood peoplein Society’s eyes? Is it those who are wealthy? Is it those who have solid reputations? Because I, for one, have known lower-class people who are just as good, and yet they are not treated with respect.”
The wealthy woman sitting next to her snickered as she toyed with her pearls. “Perhaps it’s their actions that merit other’s disapproval. I have noticed the lower class are without manners.”
Ringleted heads bobbed in agreement, but Camilla’s brows still pulled together. She was obviously not pleased with the answer.
“Pardon me for saying,” she continued in harsher tones, “but I was raised as a lower-class woman. My father raised his daughters well. We had manners. I don’t believe it’s right to judge someone by their upbringing. How do we know who broke into Mr. Clarkston’s office wasn’t one of the other officers, or even someone in good standing with the community?”
A few women gasped. Malcolm bit back his surprised response, too. It was a little strange to hear her speak this way. Although he hadn’t broken into Mr. Clarkston’s office and stolen files, Malcolmwouldhave done it to save his own neck. However, he understood why she was so derisive about the way the higher-class women degraded those of the lower class.
He wanted to hear more of what his wife thought. So far, he approved, as evidenced by the quickening of his heart.
“Mrs. Worthington, you are indeed an amazing woman, since you came from so little and now you have so much,” Lady Burwell said before clapping her hands twice. “Ladies, let us cease this serious conversation and join our husbands.” She nodded behind Camilla. “I see the men are finished with their brandy and cigars.”
Malcolm glanced toward the manor. He cursed under his breath, noticing that men were walking out on the lawns now.
He moved around the bush and toward his wife. When Camilla’s gaze landed on him, her eyes widened, and she smiled. His heart leapt, and he cursed himself again for responding like a fool.
He stopped by her side. “Good afternoon, my lovely wife. Are you in the mood for a walk?” He held out his arm. All around them, glares from the other ladies were aimed their way, but Camilla seemed not to notice as she stood and took hold of his arm.
She nodded. “I have been hoping to see Lady Burwell’s lovely garden.”
Malcolm looked at the other ladies. “Please excuse us.”
They all smiled and nodded. Having Camilla walk beside him made him feel like the luckiest man, and he wished he didn’t feel this way. But the conversation he had overheard made him proud. Not only had she voiced her questions amongst a den of wolves, but she had also entered this party knowing full well most of these women thought poorly of her.
Once they were far enough away from the others, he chuckled.
She cocked her head to look at him. “What do you find so humorous?”
“You.”
“Why?”
“Because you are determined to make those ladies hate you.” He met her questioning stare. “Half of them know you have a close relationship with their husbands, and now I’m certain the other half wonder if you know who broke into Mr. Clarkston’s office.”
She huffed. “If they do, they are imbeciles. I only asked those questions because I was curious.” She paused, and her brow furrowed. “How much did you overhear?”
“Enough.” He stopped and moved in front of her, keeping his smile only because he couldn’t control it. “But why did you say what you did?”
Shrugging, she glanced down at her hands as she twisted them against her stomach. “I recall you telling me how uppity these women were and how our taxes are paying for their luxuries, and, well… when I could tell they were being judgmental, I couldn’t stop my thoughts.”
He took her hands in his, stopping her nervousness. The heat from her body blended with his. Once again, the incredible feeling of desire crept into his system. He stroked her cheek with his finger then lifted her chin until she met his eyes. “Camilla?”
“Yes?”
He smiled wider, his heart beating much faster than before. Excitement welled inside his chest, softening his feelings toward her. This time he didn’t fight it. “I’m very happy to see you have a heart, and it’s not as selfish as I thought.”
“It’s as I told you several times already, I have changed. I’m no longer the woman you married.”
“I’m beginning to see that,” he said softly.
