He cursed his wandering thoughts. When was he going to learn not to be so gullible?
*
Morning light peekedthrough half-closed curtains, warming Camilla’s face. She stirred to awareness, and the silky sheets rubbed against her arms. Her mind cleared a little more. Last night had come to a terrible close. When she recalled the defeating way the conversation had ended with Malcolm, her heart withered in agony.
Yet other memories came sneaking through, those which happened to her during her sleepless night. Every time her leg bumped into Malcolm’s, she awakened and scooted to the side of the bed. At one point she found herself curled against his muscular arm, and the memory still made her sigh with pleasure. Once during the night, she’d awakened to his arm wrapped around her waist, but when she shifted, he turned, facing the opposite direction. Why hadn’t she stayed on her side of the bed like she had planned?
Still half-asleep, she rolled onto her side and reached for him, but the space next to her was empty. She came fully awake and glanced around the room. Malcolm stood by the window peering through the slits of the drapes out into the yard, and she sighed with relief.
He looked so handsome in his beige shirt and coffee-colored riding pants. She would give anything to know what was on his mind. The hollow, faraway look in his eyes revealed his inner turmoil.
She lifted herself on her elbow and swiped the long hair from her face. The small movement caught his eye, and his soft gaze jumped to her. At this moment, she wanted the unobtainable. She wanted him as her husband in all senses of the word. She didn’t know whom to blame—her half-insane father for sending the wrong sister to Dorchester to marry Mr. Worthington, or her twin for the role she played in this game of deceit.
Camilla’s love for Malcolm hadn’t developed out of revenge for her sister’s actions. The deep swell in her chest revealed an inner emotion for the incredibly kind man. A permanent love. Her mouth turned dry, and her heart hammered out of control. She had always wanted a man like Malcolm, and now she had one but couldn’t do anything about it.
“Good morning, Malcolm.” Although interest still touched his face, his jaw hardened.
“Good morning, Camilla,” he answered in a tight voice. “Did you have a pleasant rest?”
“When I finally fell asleep, I slept fine.”
He pulled away from the window and slowly came toward her. “Why couldn’t you sleep?”
“I think the different bed kept me awake.” She twisted the sheet between shaking fingers.
He sat on the mattress beside her. “Or was it the company you shared the bed with?”
“No, it wasn’t the company.”
“Are you certain? I know I didn’t sleep very well because of who lay next to me.” He touched her cheek then trailed his fingers down her neck in a tender caress.
Her heart hammered. His touch made it difficult to breathe. Another knot formed in her throat, harder to force down this time. “Did I toss and turn and keep you awake?”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a teasing grin. “Oh, yes, my dear, and it kept me alert for most of the night.”
“Forgive me.”
He chuckled. “I believe you have misunderstood. Every time you turned, you cuddled against me.” His gaze dropped to his hand as it swept over her shoulder. “All night you were lying next to me, and I nearly couldn’t contain my pleasure.”
Her face burned from embarrassment. “Once again, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It is a feeling I haven’t known for quite some time.” His voice grew husky. “You are very beautiful while you are asleep. You are especially beautiful now.”
“Malcolm…”
He pushed her back on the bed. Winding a lock of her hair through his fingers, he continued to stare into her eyes. “I must be insane,” he muttered, looming over her, “because right now I haven’t a care how much you are repulsed by my presence.”
“You are incorrect, Malcolm. I’m not repulsed in the least.”
“Then why do you always pull away?”
“Because… I’m frightened.”
His hands stilled. “Frightened? Of what?”
“Of the way you make me feel… the way my heart dances when you look at me as you’re doing now,” she finally admitted.
A soft groan tore from his throat. “Oh, Camilla, if only you meant it.” He shook his head. “I wish I knew what was wrong with me. I have never wanted you this much before. I don’t understand my own feelings.”
