Strange, but she had been saying that phrase since her return from visiting her sister. He wondered if this could be anotherslip-up. “Camilla? What made you change your mind about me? What happened with your sister to make you come to care for me and my children?”
The sweet smile stayed on her rosebud mouth. “I realized how precious life is, and how I had been throwing mine away. Just like my father, my sister was never happy with her life, and I want to make mine better.” Her blush grew darker. “I want to be happy. I want to feel love.”
“Do you realize you have never really told me about your family?” He relaxed back against the many pillows stacked behind him, still keeping her hand within his. “In fact, I don’t think you mentioned your sister much.”
Unlike yesterday, her expression remained unreadable, no signs of panic. “What is there to tell?” she whispered, then cleared her throat. “My mother died when my sister and I were very young, and Father never remarried. His hands were full raising two daughters, though. We lived in a small country home. My father had a prominent business as a merchant for most of my life, but as the disease ate away at his mind, he spent his money unwisely. After he arranged for an earl to marry my sister, my father’s condition grew worse.”
“How bad was your father’s illness when I met him?”
“His mind was pretty much gone, but I don’t think my sister or I wanted to believe it.”
“How did you feel when I asked for your hand in marriage?”
“I was shocked, to say the least, but only because we didn’t know each other, and nor did you know my father very well. I went along with it to please him, since I wasn’t used to disobeying him.”
Malcolm found that strange, because after they married, she couldn’tstopdisobeying him. Once again, there was a hole in her story. “Tell me about your sister.”
Her expression didn’t waver. “What would you like to know?”
“What is her name?”
She hesitated again. “Katherine,” she said in a whisper.
Shock vibrated through him. “Katherine?” He lifted his brows. “Is Kat her nickname?”
“Yes.”
“The first time I called you Kat, you threw a temper. If you recall, I was comparing you to a wild animal. You weren’t the pussycat I had thought you were. After that, I called you Kat just to see you react.”
“I know.”
“Why did you not tell me?”
She shrugged. “Perhaps because I was so upset.”
“What is Katherine like? Is she like you?”
Camilla laughed and gave a shake of her head. “Kat is nothing like me. We are as different as morning and night.”
With his free hand, he toyed with the curl of hair by her ear. Pain sliced through him from his shoulder, but he tried to ignore it. He enjoyed touching her and didn’t want anything to stop him. “Is she as pretty as you?”
Her smile widened. “People say we look alike.”
His heart picked up rhythm. “What do you think?”
She stared at him for a few seconds before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “I think you need to get some rest. I don’t want the physician scolding me for not taking proper care of you.”
She attempted to withdraw, so he grasped her upper arm, halting her. “Don’t leave. I have enjoyed carrying on a pleasant conversation with you.”
“As have I, but the physician said you need to rest.”
“I will rest, but before you go, I would like a kiss.”
Her eyes smoldered. “Well, all right, but it can only be a small kiss.”
“Why only a small kiss? What if I want more?”
She giggled. “You have lost a lot of blood, my dear husband, and you are as weak as a babe.”
