“Quite right.” She giggled and sat up, smoothing her dress around her legs.
“Do you know how much I love you?”
She lowered her lashes and gazed at his mouth. “Hopefully as much as I love you.”
He silently counted the minutes before he would be in her arms again. This woman would prove the death of him, but he would enjoy every moment.
*
The door tothe office opened, banging against the wall with a resounding crack. Malcolm jumped in his chair and spun toward the noise. Broderick rushed inside, his face flushed as he wheezed to catch his breath. He glanced toward Brandon’s empty desk before hurrying over to Malcolm’s side.
“Broderick, what ails you this afternoon? You look like you have been running for miles.”
His friend placed his hand over his chest, nodding. “It seems I have.” He chuckled. “But when I received the letter, I couldn’t wait to show you.” He handed over a folded piece of paper. “Read it.”
Malcolm opened the missive and glanced at the contents. “What? I don’t believe this.”
“Imagine how I feel right now.” Broderick wiped his sweaty brow.
Malcolm scanned the contents of the letter, slower this time.
Broderick Turner,
I have personally seen one of the stolen drawings in Captain Wilkes’s hunter’s cottage. Meet me tonight at midnight in front of his cottage. I have enclosed the directions. I shall help you obtain the proof that will clear your employer, Mr. Worthington, of the rumors circling town. I indeed want to finally meet you, Broderick. I have admired you from afar.
Affectionately, EC
Malcolm raised his gaze toward his friend and frowned. “Why would this mysterious woman want to meet with you and not me as well?”
His friend’s smile stretched. “I assume it’s because I have been diligently asking questions about her, and because of what she wrote.” He waggled his eyebrows and pointed to the letter. “Apparently, she has become enamored with me—proving, of course, she is not your wife.”
Malcolm threw back his head and laughed. Once his mirth was contained, he said, “No, my good friend, this woman is not my wife. I spoke with Camilla earlier this afternoon, and she is not this mystery woman.”
“Then let us hope the main reason this woman wants to help us is because she wants to get to know me better.”
“Indeed, that must be the reason.” Malcolm glanced at the letter again. “So, tonight at midnight? I wonder why so late.”
“Secrecy, of course.”
Unease gathered in Malcolm’s stomach. “Broderick? Would you like me to come along? Just in case you need help. I’ll hide in the bushes outside.”
“What could go awry when two strangers meet for the first time as they work together to clear your name?”
“I don’t know, Broderick. I have an unsettling feeling. The whole affair smells of a trap.”
“Cease your worrying.” Broderick slugged Malcolm’s shoulder. “I’m a grown man and can take care of myself. Besides, I’m very cautious, and I shall be suspicious of her when we meet.”
Malcolm chuckled over the irrationality of it all. “You are correct, my dear friend.” He handed back the letter. “Then I wish you good fortune. Be certain to let this woman know she will be rewarded for her kind, generous help.”
“Of course. That will be the first issue we discuss.”
Malcolm arched an eyebrow. “I’m certain it won’t be thefirst.” He pushed away from his desk and stood. “Shall we return home?”
Broderick led the way to the buggy with a bounce in his step. Malcolm grinned. He prayed the meeting would be to his friend’s satisfaction, and especially for the love interest Broderick was desperately trying to find.
*
Camilla made herway down the stairs to the dining room the next morning. Angry voices rose from the study. Malcolm’s voice boomed louder than the others, sounding panicked.
