Events in the past few months flitted through his head. Suddenly, everything made sense. He scowled. “And were you perhaps the one who tried to kill me on Colonel Burwell’s fox hunt?”
“Unfortunately, that part of my plan didn’t work.” She rolled her eyes. “I was never a good shot with a rifle.”
He tightened his grip on her arms. “Where is Camilla?”
The evil grin on her face stretched wider, and she shrugged.
He shook her once. “Men are searching the city to find Camilla. I have instructed them to shoot whoever stands in their way. I would prefer not to kill anyone right now, but what if one of your lovers takes a bullet? Is it worth your silence?”
“Sorry, my dear Mr. Worthington, but I shall not tell you a word.”
He had never hit a woman before, but Kat made his hands itch to do so now. He moved off her but kept hold of her wrist.
“Come here.” He yanked her out of the bed and over to a chair. “Timothy?” he called.
The servant hurried into the room, holding ropes. “Do ye need these now, sir?”
It surprised him that Timothy was so perceptive. “How did you know?”
“I knew last night when I brought ye ’ome from the jail. I just was afraid to tell ye.”
Malcolm nodded. “Remind me to give you a raise.” He motioned to the ropes. “Will you help me tie her up?”
“Certainly, Mr. Worthington.”
Kat squirmed and kicked at the servant. “You traitor! You should be taking orders from me, not him.”
“I serve Mr. Worthington, Miss Katherine.”
Malcolm tied her hands, and then held her struggling legs while Timothy wrapped the ropes and knotted them. Malcolm turned to his dresser and pulled out a pair of Camilla’s stockings. “I think we shall have to stuff these in her mouth to keep her quiet.” He grinned and stalked toward her.
Her eyes widened. “Don’t you dare!”
“Those will be the last words I hear from you.” He wrapped the stocking around her head, stuffing part of it into her mouth. Once done, he pulled Camilla’s ring from her finger before stepping to his closet and retrieving his pistol and saber. He glanced over his shoulder at the servant. “Come, Timothy. My wife is in danger, and we need to find her.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Camilla’s body screamedin pain. Her skull had long since stopped throbbing, but being in one position for a lengthy amount of time stiffened every muscle in her body. When Captain Wilkes wasn’t looking, she tugged both her arms and legs, trying to free herself from the ropes. But to no avail. After several hours, she slumped in the corner in exhaustion.
She leaned her head against the wall. Where was Malcolm? Kat must have stepped back into her role as Mrs. Worthington, which meant nobody would be the wiser. She blinked back the tears threatening to streak down her face. Crying wouldn’t assist Malcolm in rescuing her, so why waste her energy?
Captain Wilkes had stepped outside the barn, and relief flooded through her, if only for a moment. He had wanted to touch her improperly, but Kat’s jealousy overrode her revenge. She’d instructed him not to lay a finger on Camilla.
Her stomach knotted and she bent over. What had happened to her sister to make the woman so evil? Kat had always been the twin who could wrap their father around her finger. She had always received everything she asked for. Even Camilla had given in to her sister’s spoiled antics. But Kat had always wanted more. Much more—this time at the cost of her own sister.
Captain Wilkes sauntered back inside, smirking. The sun was making its descent, forming shadows. He picked up the lantern and lit it.
“You had me fooled, you know. I honestly thought you were Kat all this time.” He knelt beside her and lifted a lock of hair, pressing it to his nose, inhaling deeply. “Although, I must admit, you smell so much better than your sister.”
“I hope my sister doesn’t hear you say that. You know how she gets when she is angry.”
He sighed and let her hair fall from his fingers. “Yes. She can be such a devil.”
“Captain Wilkes? Tell me, do you believe me to be insane?”
He sat back, running his gaze over her face and neck. “If you are, you certainly don’t play the part.”
“What about my sister? Do you think she is ill?”
