“Mr. Kennedy, your wife has been extremely forgiving of your actions. From the little time I have gotten to know her, she seems a knowledgeable woman.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Kat, you know me well enough to know what kind of woman I enjoy.”
“Please don’t call me Kat, Mr. Kennedy.”
“My apologies.”
“But you were saying…?”
He walked away from the window to his desk and sat on the edge. “You should know I have always enjoyed having a woman of remarkable beauty on my arm.”
“Would you like your wife to be this woman?”
“It’s impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible.”
He arched an eyebrow. “And how can we change it?”
She dared to step closer. “Let me give you a little hint about women. Just like a rose, they don’t blossom unless given sunlight.”
“What are you saying? You wish me to keep her outside in the sunshine?”
She nearly laughed. Could he really be that ignorant? “No, Mr. Kennedy. You need to compliment her and make her feel pretty. If you really want her to come out of her shell, you will have to help her along.”
The corner of his mouth tugged up in a grin. “You’re an amazing woman. I cannot believe you’re trying to assist me in winning over my wife.”
“Encourage her, Mr. Kennedy, or she has no other reason to blossom. But you will also have to do some serious groveling for your past mistakes. If she loves you, she will forgive you, just as Malcolm has forgiven me.”
His brown eyes twinkled. He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Thank you for such astute advice.”
The bell from the door chimed, and Camilla jumped away from Brandon, but not before Malcolm’s gaze rested upon her. Her heart plummeted, yet there was no reason to feel guilty. She had done nothing wrong, but would Malcolm believe that? From the scowl on his face, she feared the worst. He glared at her with accusing eyes.Not again.
Brandon moved past her toward Malcolm. “Worthington, you have returned just in time. Your wife has a surprise for you.”
Malcolm’s brow lifted when he looked at her, but a frown still marred his handsome face. “Indeed?”
Her stomach churned violently, and she clasped her hands against her middle to calm the waves of nausea. She didn’t speak for fear her voice would crack.
“Malcolm,” Brandon continued, “I must tell you what an incredible wife you have.”
Wrong comment to make, Mr. Kennedy.
“Do I?” Malcolm asked.
“Indeed. She was just now giving me advice on how to woo my wife.”
Malcolm’s lips quirked into an unexpected grin. “Woo your wife?”
Camilla laughed uneasily and walked toward her husband. “Yes, Malcolm. Mr. Kennedy knows who holds my heart.” She stopped in front of him and touched his cheek. “I tried to tell him how to win over his wife properly.”
Malcolm chuckled and shook his head. “This is, indeed, a surprise.”
“That is not my surprise for you, however.” She linked her arm with his. “I’m stealing you away this afternoon for a picnic—if you approve, of course.”
“But of course. How could I turn down such a charming woman?”
Her heart hammered with each step out to the buggy. Malcolm took her arm, assisting her up, and then climbed inside to sit beside her. He gripped the reins and urged the team forward.
