“Then so am I.”
“I’m staying at the Lion’s Paw Inn.” He motioned toward the street. “Would you like to meet me at nine o’clock this evening?”
“I’ll be there at nine sharp.” Malcolm’s heartbeat quickened with excitement.
He hurried out of the building as he tried to create an excuse to tell Camilla for why he had to leave for a meeting this evening. He still hadn’t told her the truth—that he was secretly trying to find patrons so as to build his own clientele. He didn’t want to get her too hopeful, just in case his scheme failed, and he had to remain working for an imbecile like Brandon Kennedy.
Chapter Fifteen
Camilla stepped outsideonto the back porch, and the wind blew against her face. The children were in the nursery. This afternoon, she needed time for herself, yet the more she thought about her problems, the more worried she became.
With a heavy ache in her chest, she walked toward the stable. The maid, Beth, had informed Camilla of the conversation one of the servants had eavesdropped on while at the bank. Mr. Worthington was meeting someone tonight at nine o’clock to secure a deal. All the servant knew was that the men spoke in hushed tones.
Anxiety hammered through Camilla. Would Malcolm tell her about this meeting? Was this the illegal action Kat had mentioned before she died? She prayed Malcolm would trust her enough to tell her the truth.
Doubts filled her mind, and she groaned. Although she loved him with all her heart, she didn’t think he fully trusted her. Although she had a hard time understanding why Malcolm did this, it was in his character to protect his heart. But her love for him was just as strong. She wanted him, his children, and the wonderful life she had experienced so far.
Stopping inside the stable, she glanced at her favorite horse, Thunder. The dark brown gelding neighed, bobbing his head in greeting. She smiled and walked to him, picking an apple out of the bucket by the door.
The animal acted more than happy to get the food, and as he munched noisily, she stroked his mane. She had always enjoyed being with horses, but right now, worry for Malcolm overrode all else.
From bits and pieces she had overheard him and Broderick discussing from time to time, she worried that Malcolm was trying to find the person who was stealing his work. She wouldn’t blame him if he was, but what if whatever he planned would get him arrested? She couldn’t bear the heartache of seeing him put in jail.
The sound of scraping wood echoed through the stable. She stopped. Listened. But didn’t hear it again. “Is anyone there?”
Thunder neighed and shuffled his feet. She stepped away from him, further into the stable, and listened. Her skin prickled with fear, unease running down her spine—a feeling somebody watched her.
“Is anyone here?”
Still no sound.
Shaking her head, she turned back to Thunder. Why had she experienced a cold chill as if someone watched her every move? She chuckled and stroked the horse’s mane. Must be her imagination.
“Good day, Mrs. Worthington.”
She jumped and turned toward Hyrum, one of the stable boys, as he walked through the wide-open doors. Seeing a familiar face, she sighed. “How are you faring today, Hyrum?”
“Just fine, Mrs. Worthington.” He picked up a brush and carried it over to her. “Thought you might like this.”
She smiled, taking the brush from him. “Thank you. You seem to know what I want before I can speak it.”
He grinned ear to ear, nearly displaying all of his teeth. “Did you need me to have your horse ready tonight?”
She scrunched her forehead. “Why would I want that?”
He stepped closer then peeked over his shoulder as he looked around the stable. Why did he look so secretive?
“Just in case you want to follow your husband, like you usually do when spying on him.”
Camilla’s breath caught in her throat. “Spy on my husband, Hyrum?” She turned to brush Thunder’s mane.
“Well, you haven’t done it for a while, and I thought that’s why you were here in the stable.”
She tightened her hand around the brush in mid-stroke.Spy on my husband.Her heartbeat accelerated. Yes, shecouldspy on her husband.
“And what else will you help me with?”
“Just like always, I’ll have the servant’s clothes in the empty stall for you to change into.”
