Her breaths were ragged as she calmed her cries. “There is nothing to forgive. You did what needed to be done.” She glanced down at Kat and tenderly touched her cheek. “My sister is well now.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “No longer will she be able to hurt people.”
Malcolm grasped his friend’s shoulder. “How did you escape?”
Broderick wiped his wet eyes. “The soldiers were searching for Captain Wilkes and left me unattended. Jane, Timothy, and the children found the keys and rescued me.” He shook his head. “Can you believe the soldiers didn’t take the keys?”
“The children?” both Camilla and Malcolm gasped at the same time.
“They are safe,” Broderick reassured them. “Absolutely no one noticed them.”
Men’s shouts rose from a distance. Camilla hitched a breath and looked toward the trees where the voices came. “The fire.” She turned to Malcolm. “We need to get Broderick out of here.”
Her husband’s attention dropped to Kat. “What should we do with her? If the soldiers see her, they will think she is you.”
Camilla jumped up and glanced toward the burning barn. There was only one course of action. Her heart wrenched. This was no way for her sister to end her life on earth, no matter how evil Kat was. But the fact remained that there could not be two Camilla Worthingtons. And Kat was already dead.
“We must place her body inside the barn.”
Malcolm touched her shoulder. “Are you certain?”
Her throat tightened with a sob, and she nodded. While Malcolm and Broderick rose to their feet and lifted Kat’s body, Camilla picked up the saber and turned to follow.
“Stay back,” Malcolm instructed her. “Don’t get too close to the flames.”
She held her breath, her hand to her mouth as she witnessed her sister’s body thrown in the fire. Squeezing her eyes closed, she said a prayer for her sister. But it had to be done. She only hoped the good Lord would forgive her.
Malcolm and Broderick ran back to her. Her husband grasped her arm. “We must hurry and get out of here.”
“Let us head toward the docks,” Broderick said. “Timothy informed me that a boat will set sail at any moment. There is no other way. I must leave Dorchester forever.”
Voices coming from the wooded area grew closer. She clutched Malcolm’s arm as he led them away from danger. She ran, and her limbs throbbed with each step. Malcolm wrapped his arm around her waist and held her tightly to his side. Burning streaks of pain shot up her legs, reminding her shehadn’t run like this in ages. But they were running for their lives. For Broderick’s life.
She stepped on the hem of her dress and stumbled. Malcolm grasped her with both hands.
“Malcolm, my legs—they aren’t strong enough. You go on without me.”
“I’ll never leave your side again.” He lifted her in his arms and winced, his right shoulder sagging.
“Put me down. You cannot carry me.”
Broderick stepped to them. His breaths came fast. “We are close enough to the docks. I shall go by myself.”
“No.” Malcolm grasped his friend’s hand.
“All will be well now.” Broderick stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Malcolm. The two men embraced, and then drew apart. Broderick leaned in and kissed Camilla’s cheek. He smiled. “Make him happy.”
Tears collected in her eyes once again. She nodded. “I intend to.”
“I love you… both of you. Now hurry. Return home before you are caught. Please, be safe.” Broderick lifted a hand in farewell, then turned and ran down the hill toward the water.
Camilla tightened her arms around her husband’s waist. “Will we ever see him again?” She looked up at the wonderful, brave man beside her.
“Yes. After all of this dies down, I will find my good friend.”
“I shall miss him.”
“As will I.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “But Broderick is not safe here. The soldiers will be looking for him because of his escape, and now they might suspect him of killing Captain Wilkes.”
“What if they do not? What if they suspect you?”
