“He didn’t give me even one minute of his time.” Growling, Kennedy pushed his fingers through his hair. “I wish I knew who could have gotten to him first. Mr. Clarkston really isn’t that astute. I don’t see him sneaking behind our backs to try to win Arlington’s contract.”
“I agree. That isn’t Clarkston’s personality at all.” Malcolm moved to another table and retrieved a drawing, bringing it back to his desk.
Silence lasted for thirty minutes before Kennedy growled and pushed away from his desk. He stormed over to the window, leaning his shoulder against the side. The man’s mouth pulled tight.
Malcolm wanted to laugh over his partner’s misfortune. He prayed that within a few months, he would have enough clients on his own that he could start up his own business again. Malcolm felt he was getting closer to proving Kennedy and Wilkes were the ones stealing the drawings. When Broderick had followed Kennedy last night, as the woman’s note instructed, he did witness the two men bent over a table at one of the taverns down the street, discussing something very secretive while sharing a bottle of whiskey. Malcolm suspected that keeping an eye on Kennedy would soon prove fruitful. Within time, he would be able to turn his proof over to the constable and have Kennedy and Wilkes arrested.
A rumble of laughter from his partner snapped him to awareness, and Malcolm turned to see what Kennedy found so amusing. The man wore a knowing grin, and his arms were folded across his shaking chest as he chuckled.
“What is so humorous?” Malcolm asked.
“Oh, just what is going on down the street.”
“And what is it?”
Kennedy glanced his way and scratched his chin. “It seems your wife has become bored with her latest interest and has gone back to spending time with Captain Wilkes.”
Malcolm stiffened. But then he recalled what had happened before when he jumped to conclusions, and he relaxed. Kat was dead. Camilla was his wife now, and she loved and only him.
Last night’s lovemaking was so wonderful, it had been hard for him to leave her this morning. Never had he felt so complete as he had last night, before, during, and after their night of passion. Without a doubt, Camilla would always be faithful to him.
Malcolm pushed himself away from his desk and stood. Taking deliberate, slow steps, he made his way to the window. As Kennedy had stated, Camilla stood in front of a shop with a basket hooked over her elbow, chatting with Captain Wilkes.
A stab of pain tore through Malcolm’s heart. When his wife laughed, the invisible knife in his chest twisted. He breathed slowly, calming his heart. Camilla needed to act this way. They must not make the captain suspicious, especially now.
Malcolm forced a laugh. “It doesn’t appear she has gone back to Captain Wilkes. It looks like she is having a friendly conversation.”
“If you keep telling yourself that, perhaps you will believe it.”
Malcolm fisted his hands, feeling the urge to punch his business partner in the face. “I must say, Kennedy, the green monster of jealousy has taken hold of you again.” He shook his head. “You must learn to control that beast before it ruins your life.”
Malcolm walked back to his desk. Seeing Camilla with Captain Wilkes was difficult, but it needed to be done. If only he could find a way to keep the doubt from twisting his gut everytime he saw her with another man. After all, she was portraying her sister. Yet why hadn’t she done so until lately? She had never acted like Kat until after they returned from the Burwells’ estate.
In frustration, he raked his fingers through his hair, wishing he wasn’t so suspicious. He had no right. She loved him, and he loved her. That should be the end of the subject.
So why wasn’t it?
*
“May we callyou Mother?”
Camilla gasped at James’s question. Her heart quickened, and tears stung her eyes. Slowing the horse they had been riding, she smiled down at his upturned face. Amazing how fast she became emotional lately, but James’s sudden request had caught her by surprise.
“Of course you may call me Mother.”
“You won’t get upset?”
“Why should I get upset?” She stroked her gloved fingers across his cheek. “I love you and Lizzy as though you were my own children.”
He beamed. “Lizzy is going to be happy when I tell her. She said last night how much she wanted you to be our mother.”
Camilla’s heart melted, bringing with it a feeling of motherhood she’d never thought she would experience. “Then let us hurry home so we can tell her.”
She reined the horse around and urged the animal into a gallop. A smile stretched across her face, and as each minute passed, her heart pounded quicker. Finally, she would have the family she had always wanted.
In the distance, the figure of a cloaked woman darted behind a tree. Camilla slowed the horse, studying what she had justwitnessed. There wasn’t another horse in sight, and this would have been a long walk for someone traveling by foot.
She neared the tree, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
