“You are very lovely tonight, my dear.”
She forced a laugh. “Thank you.” She let an uneasy breath out. “But I think I need a drink. Are you going to share that bottle or hoard it all night?”
He dropped his hand from her hair and grabbed the bottle instead, bringing it up to his lips. He gulped back a good amount before handing it over to her. She took it, brought it to her mouth, and tipped it back. She pretended to swallow, but kept her lips firmly pressed together so nothing would enter her mouth. She hoped the captain couldn’t tell the difference with the room’s dim lighting.
She glanced at Broderick, who frowned and shook his head. “Why are you doing this? I thought you loved Malcolm.”
Pain gripped her heart, and she wanted to tell him the truth. But now was not the time. He would understand soon.
“Shut up, Turner,” the captain snapped. “Just watch and learn.”
After placing the bottle on the table, she stepped closer to Wilkes. “Are you ready for what I have planned?”
He nodded. As he reached for her, he swayed. She prayed he would lose consciousness soon.
Her wish was granted, because just as he gave her a lazy grin, he crumpled to the floor.
She let out a deep sigh. “Oh, thank the Lord.” She looked back at Broderick. “Do you honestly think I would betray Malcolm? I love him completely.”
Broderick nodded and smiled. “Thank you, Camilla.”
She knelt beside the captain and grabbed the set of keys from off his belt then threw them to Broderick. “While you find the right key to get out, I shall remove his clothes. You will need to dress in them so we can walk out of the jail together. The other soldiers won’t realize you are their prisoner that way.”
“I can certainly do that.” He jiggled each key in the lock, but nothing was opening the cell. He growled. “I cannot find the right key.”
Behind Camilla, a shrill laugh echoed through the room. Chills of fear shot through her. She spun around just as the figure of a cloaked woman walked out from the shadows.
“Sadly, you will never find the right key.” The other woman held up the brass object in her hand. “Sorry, but your rescue plan just failed, Camilla. There is nothing you can do to save Malcolm’s friend.”
Camilla gasped, and her cold, shaky hands flew to her mouth.
That voice. It sounds like… But it can’t be.
“Who are you?”
The woman’s shriek of laughter made Camilla’s stomach churn.Dear Lord, no!
She drew closer and yanked Camilla to her feet. “Who am I? I’m the woman in charge now, and I’m the one who will destroy yours and Mr. Worthington’s dreams.” She raised the bottle Wilkes had been drinking and slashed it through the air and down on Camilla’s head.
Pain pierced her skull, and her world turned dark brown.
*
Malcolm sat forwardand focused out the carriage window, waiting for his wife and Broderick to exit the jail. The silvery full moon gave him plenty of light to keep a close eye on the soldiers from down the street, and thankfully, most of them had passed out minutes ago. Any time now, Camilla and his friend would leave the jail. There was no room for their plans to go awry.
Then why did his gut clench as if something had gone seriously wrong? He wiped the moisture from his palms against his legs. His heart hammered, and all he heard was the pounding in his head. What if Camilla screamed and he couldn’t hear?
Growling, he slid off the seat, pushed open the door, and jumped out of the carriage. The driver’s head snapped his way, and he leaned forward as if ready to spring into action. Malcolm held up his hand and stopped him. “No need to fear, Timothy. I’m merely a little anxious.”
Timothy nodded. “I’m nervous meself.”
“Have you heard anything?”
The older man shook his head. “Not a sound, sir.”
Malcolm released a frustrated breath and raked his fingers through his hair. “Do you think everything is all right?”
“Aye, sir. If I know the mistress, she’ll get the task done.”
