“Yes, but I still cannot help but worry about her.” Malcolm flexed his hands as he paced the length of the carriage. Helooked toward the jail every chance he could. What was taking them so long?
A shadow drew his attention. He stopped and narrowed his eyes at the movement by the door. When the figure of a cloaked woman hurried outside, he sighed and relaxed his hands. But where was Broderick? Something terrible must have happened.
He hurried inside the carriage and waited for his wife to join him. When the door opened, he took her hand and helped her in.
“Where is Broderick?”
She sat across from him and lowered her hood. Her eyes were wide as she shook her head. “Everything proceeded as planned.” She wrung her hands against her stomach. “Captain Wilkes became intoxicated and passed out.” She sniffled. The moon’s glare through the window showed tears in her eyes. “But we couldn’t find the key to Broderick’s cell. When one of the other soldiers came in, I knew there was nothing more I could do.” She shrugged. “I hurried and left before they suspected my true purpose of being there.”
Malcolm balled his hands and hit the seat. It wasn’t Camilla’s fault, yet the plan should have worked. “Did the soldier say anything?”
“Thankfully, Captain Wilkes was mostly undressed, so I pretended to act intoxicated also. The soldier didn’t have to ask what was going on. He knew.” She moved next to him on the seat and touched his hand. “But now what will we do?”
His chest tightening, he raked his fingers through his hair. Time was running out. The magistrate had scheduled Broderick’s trial for two days hence. Malcolm was certain Wilkes would see Broderick hanged just for trespassing.
“I will think of something, my love.” He caressed her cheek. “I appreciate your willingness to help. You have been very supportive, and I love you for it.”
“I wish I could do more.”
He took her in his arms. She rested her head against his chest, and he closed his eyes, breathing in her scent. But she didn’t smell the same. Of course, alcohol overpowered any other smell about her, but there was also something different. Yet he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
Silence stretched through the carriage during the ride home. He racked his brain for ideas, but every one of them had a flaw. Whatever they did to break Broderick out of jail, they would have to cover their tracks. Malcolm truly couldn’t afford to get arrested. Not when he had his wife and children to think about.
Camilla’s silence bothered him. It wasn’t her fault the plan hadn’t worked. No doubt she blamed herself. He would have to ease her worries. But how could he do that when he feared for his friend’s life?
Timothy pulled the vehicle to a stop in front of the house. Camilla moved to leave, but Malcolm grasped her arm. She swung her head and looked at him.
“My darling, it’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself for tonight’s mishap. I shall find a way to release Broderick, I promise.”
“I know you will.”
Timothy opened the door and helped Camilla down. Malcolm climbed out behind her.
“Thank you, Timothy.”
The older servant’s wide eyes followed Camilla. Unease pricked up Malcolm’s spine. Why was he looking at her that way?
“Timothy? Is something amiss?”
The man blinked and shook his head. “No, Mr. Worthington. Nothing. It is just that… Well, Mrs. Worthington seems out of sorts this evening.”
“That she is. Rest assured, I will take care of the problem.”
Timothy nodded, and then turned and climbed back to the top of the carriage.
Malcolm hurried inside. Camilla stood next to Beth as she shrugged out of her cloak. The maid bobbed once before turning and leaving the room. He ran his gaze over the very provocative dress his wife had altered for tonight’s purpose. Although sensual, she looked too much like Kat at this moment. That bothered him.
She turned and caught his stare. A smile stretched across her face, and she hooked her hand around his elbow and pressed against his arm. “Shall we retire for bed?”
“Yes.” He kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you go on ahead? I shall be up momentarily. There is too much on my mind right now to sleep.”
She giggled. “Who said anything about sleep?”
“No, my dear. Not tonight. I need to think of a way to release Broderick.”
She huffed and folded her arms across her bosom. He narrowed his eyes as a slight throb began in his forehead. Why was she acting in this manner? She should be as upset as he right now, so why did she act like nothing had gone wrong this evening?
He stroked her cheek. “I promise not to stay up too late.”
