Broderick released a gust of air from his mouth. “That’s good. However, we still need to try to clear your name before something worse happens.”
“No.” Malcolm’s leg throbbed, so he hobbled to the couch and fell upon it, and then lifted his leg up on the stool. “I need to find the person responsible for doing this to me. That is the only way to stop this.”
“I think Kennedy is behind it.”
Malcolm nodded at his friend.
“Ever since your wife turned away Kennedy’s attentions,” Broderick said, “more things have been happening to you.”
“I know, but I would rather have my marriage this way than the way it was before.”
Broderick gave him a small smile. “I still cannot believe it. When you told me earlier today, I was in complete shock. Who would have guessed Kat—”
“No, Broderick. Her name is Camilla.”
Broderick shifted his stance. “My apologies. I didn’t mean—”
“I know. It was a shock to all of us.” Malcolm chuckled. “Imagine my surprise when I admitted I was in love with her.”
“Unfortunately, we don’t know if it is your wife or the sister in the asylum. In a way, I wish she were still the old Kat. Then Kennedy would be occupied, and we would have a better chance of catching him trying to sabotage you.”
Malcolm scratched his chin. “There has got to be another way.”
“I’ll talk to my friend who works for the magistrate and see what else he knows.”
“Good thinking, Broderick.” As his marriage was finally going the way he had always dreamed about, now more than ever, he needed to bring a stop to the person trying to ruin him. If they tried to shoot him again, the bullet just may hit his heart and kill him.
“Were you able to snoop through Colonel Burwell’s study?” Broderick asked.
“No. My broken leg ruined my plans.”
“That is all right. We’ll find who has been stealing your drawings.”
“We had better. I grow weary of this game.” Malcolm struggled to stand. Broderick hurried to help, but Malcolm motioned him away. “We will have to wait until morning to figure out a plan. Hopefully, my leg will feel better, because I have many errands to run.”
“Is there anything you would like me to do?”
“If I do, I shall let you know in the morning.” Putting all his weight on the cane, he walked toward the door. “Now if you will excuse me, my wife is upstairs in my bed. And I’m not foolish enough to keep her waiting any longer.”
Broderick laughed and clapped Malcolm on the shoulder as he passed. “I’m happy to see you have found someone to love.”
Malcolm threw him a grin. “You aren’t the only one happy.” He winked.
It took him a while longer than he wanted, but he finally made it up the stairs to his room. He walked in and stopped. Only a single candle was lit, illuminating his wife on his bed.
Asleep.
He chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair. It looked as though tonight wouldn’t be when he made love to her. Then again, Broderick had given him a lot to think about. Perhapshe needed to do some serious contemplating before taking the plunge with Camilla.
He didn’t know what this woman had done to him, but whatever it was, he liked it. He also couldn’t let her distract him from his fight for justice. He only hoped she would support him and still want to remain by his side.
But a nagging thought in the back of his mind told him something wasn’t right. Why had more things started happening to him since his wife returned from caring for her sister? His heart wouldn’t allow him to believe the worst. He must trust that she wasn’t part of any of this.
*
Broderick Turner,
Watch Brandon Kennedy closely tonight. I have it on good authority that Mr. Kennedy is going to meet Captain Wilkes in secret to sell him some drawings. I fear your friend, Malcolm Worthington, will be blamed for something, and I want it stopped.
