She combed her fingers through his silky hair, holding his face close to her. “I think it’s because you know I have changed. I’m not the woman you thought you married.”
“If only that were true.”
“It is.” Making the first move, she leaned up and kissed him.
He tightened his embrace and kissed her passionately. His lips stroked hers tenderly, almost reverently. His hands splayed across her back as he held her body tight—so tight that she felt the beat of his heart as it knocked in the same rhythm as hers. Happiness burst inside her, but she held back the tears of joy.
Opening her mouth wider, she allowed the kiss to deepen until his hot tongue stroked hers. A small groan tore from his throat, matching hers. His body upon hers was comforting, much more than she realized, and she writhed beneath him, yearning for more. He broke the kiss, moving his mouth down her neck. She ached for his touch, for his mouth upon her, but it was still too soon. Her heart soared with the knowledge that he desired her just as much as she desired him, but nothing could happen between them. Not yet.
“Malcolm.” She sighed his name as she toyed with his wavy hair. His lips traveled lower on her chest, getting very near the point where she wouldn’t be able to stop him. Not ever. Althoughshe wanted this badly, the timing was not right. “I fear if I don’t let you go, you will be late for the fox hunt.”
He lifted his head enough to gaze into her eyes. His mouth stretched into a wide smile, and it warmed her heart even more.
“Why should I care about a fox hunt when I’m enjoying myself with you?” He kissed her lips again before withdrawing once more. “Would you rather I attend the fox hunt instead of holding and kissing you until we are both mindless with passion?”
Just that thought made her sigh again. No, she didn’t want him to leave, but perhaps it was better this way. He couldn’t discover her identity yet. “Although that sounds completely wonderful, I would rather be at home than here. I want to be isolated in the privacy of our own bedchamber instead of having people I don’t even know nearby and able to hear us. So perhaps we can do this when we return home?” She stroked the side of his face lovingly. “Besides, what would Lady Burwell’s guests think if we didn’t come down for most of the day?”
“They would think me a very fortunate man.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Or that I’m a very fortunate woman.”
Bending, he covered her mouth with his again. Heat spread through her quickly, and just as she began to enjoy it, he moved off the bed. “You are right, my dear. I would rather be at home doing this with you. Thanks for making me think clearly.”
She laughed. “Your kisses were clouding my mind quickly.”
“I’m happy to know that. You can rest assured that we will continue this the minute we get back home.” He winked before moving back to the chair as he finished dressing.
A sigh of relief escaped as she relaxed on the mattress. She had to find a way to tell him the truth soon. She couldn’t fulfill the dream of truly being his wife otherwise.
Chapter Twelve
Two hours later,Camilla stared at herself in the full-length mirror as she adjusted the sash on her dress. The woman staring back at her had sparks of excitement in her eyes and a rosy hue to her cheeks. Even her lips looked fuller, if that were possible. She giggled. How could she not feel so elated after what she and Malcolm shared this morning?
She wasn’t anxious to meet the other ladies downstairs because she worried her expression would give away this morning’s enjoyment. Yet if she dallied in her room any longer, they would think her lazy.
As she made her way down the grand staircase, the manor seemed unnaturally quiet. She supposed most of the guests either watched or participated in the hunt. When she strode onto the patio outside, a wild commotion caught her attention. People ran into the group of trees where the fox hunt was in progress, their voices raised in panic.
Curious, she quickened her step and followed, hearing bits and pieces of conversations carrying through the air.
“…someone has been hurt.”
“…fell from his horse.”
“…he is unconscious and bleeding.”
Camilla searched through the small forest to find the injured party, but she couldn’t see past the people heading in that direction. Lady Burwell came running away from the trees in theopposite direction toward the house. When she spotted Camilla, she waved and ran her way.
“Oh, my dear Mrs. Worthington. Something terrible has happened.”
Camilla’s heart dropped. Lady Burwell didn’t have to say another word. The woman’s terrified eyes and pale face bespoke of some horror that had befallen Malcolm.
The older woman grasped Camilla’s hands. “Your husband fell from his horse and was knocked unconscious. We think his leg is broken, too.”
A wave of dizziness washed over Camilla as fear clutched her chest. Breathing deeply, she quickly reined in her emotions and prepared herself for the worst. “How bad is he?”
“It’s too soon to tell. My husband’s physician just arrived, so we shall know momentarily.”
Forcing herself to stay resolute, she squared her shoulders. “Take me to him.”
