“My servant.”
He arched an eyebrow and shrugged. “Well, nonetheless, he can ride with Broderick.”
When they neared, Timothy lifted his gaze to hers, and his mouth hung open. His expression darkened as he switched his focus from her to Worthington. She tried communicating with her eyes to follow her lead.
Although under duress, she smiled. “Timothy, I have found Mr. Worthington, my husband I told you about. Can you bring the wagon and follow us home?”
Timothy’s skeptical gaze moved from her to Malcolm. The servant’s mouth opened and shut a few times, as if he wanted to speak but didn’t have the words. Camilla’s heart hammered against her ribs. Hopefully, Timothy wouldn’t ask questions. She couldn’t have her plan ruined so soon. She focused her pleading eyes upon her servant.
What seemed an eternity passed before he finally nodded. “As ye wish, madame.”
The man named Broderick dismounted and tied his horse to the wagon. He helped Timothy with her trunk before climbing onto the seat with her servant.
Mr. Worthington urged the horse forward, and they traveled through the middle of town. People greeted him, and he answered in a kind, tender voice, but all were hesitant before addressing her, she noticed.
The busy section of town disappeared, and Mr. Worthington’s warm breath was released on her neck in a heavy sigh. She gazed at his profile as he glanced over his shoulder at the fading town. The slight breeze made his intriguing scent drift to her nose—a mixture of cedar and leather. It roused her senses, and for some odd reason, she was eager to know more about him. Would pretending to be his wife bring back horrid memories of her marriage to Lord Hardy? So far, she’d caught glimpses of a totally different man underneath his hard mask of indifference.
Camilla shook away those thoughts. She couldn’t think this way about her brother-in-law, even if her sister was dead and buried.
He turned away from the town and looked at her. His hardened expression made the lines across his forehead run together.
Camilla gulped. He was going to realize she wasn’t Kat. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for his anger.
“Thank you for not making a spectacle back there.” His voice was harsh, yet sincere.
She nodded, holding in the sigh of relief threatening to spill forward. Why had he said such a thing? After all, she’d been the one looking foolish not too long ago, not him.
“I am truly sorry for leaving. I hope I did not worry you.” She spoke in soft tones, wishing to calm his anger.
His brows drew together. “Youare sorry?”
Trembling, she took a deep breath. The time had come to play the bold woman she’d never been. “Yes. Before I left, I wrote you a missive, informing you of my plans. Do you really not remember, or were you just saying what you had to back there so as not to cause a scene?”
“Trust me, there was no such note.”
She swallowed, moistening her parched throat. “My sister summoned me. She was deathly ill, and I needed to leave quickly.”
His gaze snapped from her to the road. “We shall talk about this when we reach home.”
“Why?” She glanced at the others riding well behind them. “They cannot hear.”
“Because if we wait, I shall have time to cool my temper. I fear what I might say in my present state of mind.”
“As you wish, but know I’m sorry for causing you any worry.”
He looked down at her. Confusion still marred his dark expression. He shook his head as if he didn’t understand. “Please, cease your prattle until we arrive home. You are confusing me.”
He’d just shown clear evidence he was the ogre Kat had warned her about. The man seemed intent on a quarrel, refusing to accept her most heartfelt, if not completely honest, apology. Instead of prodding him with questions, she kept her mouth closed and stared at the road ahead.
After a moment of silence, he grumbled, “What ails you now?”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“Where is the argument?”
“Argument?”
“Cease playing the innocent victim, Mrs. Worthington. You know very well what I refer to.” He sneered. “Your only form of communication is to argue, so why have you suddenly changed?”
