She grew silent as her gaze roamed over his face. He enjoyed the way she studied his eyes before letting her attention move to his lips. The erratic thud in his heart increased. What kind of power did she have over him? More importantly, why did he let it affect him?
“Camilla, you shouldn’t look at me that way unless you want to be kissed good and hard.”
“Please forgive me. I suppose it’s not proper for you to kiss me in public.”
His heart flipped, nearly knocking him over with surprise. “Are you saying youwantme to kiss you?”
Her mouth turned up in an impish smile. “If you don’t know the answer to that, then I haven’t made my desires known very well, have I?”
“My dear wife, it’s dangerous to tempt me like that.” He wrapped his arm around her waist while he cupped the back of her head, pulling her close. “I’m a normal man, no matter how much of an ogre you wish me to be.”
He waited, expecting her to curl her lip as she often did. Instead her face softened and tenderness gleamed in her green eyes. Where had the witch gone, the one who had made him regret his decision to marry? This enchanting woman was certainly not that creature.
Her gaze warmed with invitation as she shook her head. “I never thought you an ogre.”
“Oh? That’s not the impression you gave me a while ago.”
“Malcolm, please forget about back then.” She swept back a lock of hair that had fallen over his brow. “I don’t even want you to remember that woman.”
How he wished he wished he could just erase the past two years. But he couldn’t.
“I’m sorry, Camilla.” He dropped his hands and stepped away. “But you are asking too much of me.”
Her gaze lowered to the ground, and she gave a forlorn nod.
“But come.” He took her hand and placed it on his elbow. “I promised to show you Lady Burwell’s flower garden, and I’m not leaving your side until you see it.”
She gave his arm a slight squeeze, and he looked down into her serious expression. “You know, Mr. Worthington, I think you like me more than you realize.”
He laughed, cursing under his breath for being so obvious. “Just like you, Mrs. Worthington, I’m a good performer.”
*
The evening’s mealand dancing afterward was a huge success for Lady Burwell. But Camilla thought the bigger success belonged to Malcolm. He played the part of an adoring husband well. If only she could find that glimmer she had seen in his eyes when he kissed her, then her day would be complete.
When other men asked her to dance, she grudgingly accepted, but the distrust in Malcolm’s eyes tugged at her heart. More than anything, she wanted to tell him the truth. She was Kat’s twin—and nothing like her sister.
Finally, the moment she both dreaded, yet anticipated, arrived. She postponed retiring for the night as long as possible, but once the gazes of her host and hostess fell upon her, she realized they too had heard the rumors and wondered about the Worthington marriage. Camilla had to give the impression all was well.
Inhaling a deep breath for courage, she walked to Malcolm, who conversed with Brandon Kennedy and another man she wasn’t acquainted with. She tapped her husband on the shoulder to get his attention. When he looked at her, she smiled.
She glanced at the group. “Gentlemen, forgive the interruption.” Then she turned to Malcolm. “I just wanted you to know I’m retiring for the evening.” Heat gathered in her cheeks from her announcement.
“I’m ready to retire, also. I shall come with you.”
“Malcolm,” the other man interceded. “Don’t forget about the fox hunt tomorrow at dawn.”
“Yes, Mr. Crowley, I plan on attending. Now, gentlemen, if you will please excuse us, we shall see you in the morning.”
Apparently, this was the third partner in the business. Short, plump, and balding. He didn’t look much older than Malcolm, but then, the way the man carried himself and waddled asthough his legs ached, he was probably much older than she suspected.
Camilla slipped her arm around Malcolm’s elbow as they walked side by side up the grand staircase toward the bedroom. Her heart pounded with every step, and she hoped he couldn’t feel her shaking.
He opened the door to their room and followed her inside. When the door closed and locked, her heart leapt to her throat. Squeezing her eyes closed, she tried to control her mind from wandering toward the bed.
“So,” he began.
She jumped and turned his way. He leaned back against the door with his arms folded over his broad chest. The corner of his mouth lifted in a grin, and merriment twinkled in his eyes. Why did he have to look so sensual?
