Page 30 of One Scandal Too Many
“Most certainly not.” She smiled at him. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll live,” he said. “But I definitely need to return home and remove these wet clothes.”
She sighed. “It’s a pity I won’t be there to witness that.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “And I cannot believe I said that aloud.”
Declan grinned wider. “I rather liked hearing it.” He moved a little closer. “But I must admit I don’t care about you witnessing my own undressing.” He rolled his gaze over her. “You have been privy to my nakedness already. One day perhaps I will be blessed with the sight of yours.”
Charlotte laughed. “With that, my lord,” she began. “I must beg your leave. This has taken a turn we cannot pursue.” Charlotte took several steps away from him. He wanted to follow her, but he remained in place. It was a close thing, though. Declan’s desire for her was all-consuming.
“Not yet,” he said reluctantly. “But soon.” He pressed a kiss to his palm and blew it in her direction. “I’ll see you tomorrow, darling. Don’t be late this time.”
She turned around and walked away from him. Charlotte only glanced back twice, showing her hesitancy to leave. He couldn’t wait until he saw her again. The mere hours that separated their next meeting seemed like too long already. He was gone for her, and he couldn’t even be upset about that predicament. He was... happy. Declan whistled as he walked home. He couldn’t recall the last time he felt so bloody good, and he prayed this contentment lasted.
Chapter Fourteen
Charlotte sat onthe settee waiting for the other girls. She had barely slept the night before, and it was affecting her mood. She should not have gone to meet Declan. She had known that before she went, and yet, she’d gone. It had been worth it. His kisses were becoming an addiction she would gladly give herself over to, and often. The pleasure was indescribable.
The lack of sleep she could do without, though. She would be grumpy all day because of it. She’d already snapped at Jaclyn before she’d left her bedchamber. Charlotte was not at her best when she did not get proper rest. Therefore, there would be no more meetings with Declan in the wee hours of the night. Otherwise, she would not be able to endure all the activities the marchioness had planned for the house party.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Somehow she would make it through the day. She should have asked Declan what the day’s activity would be. The lawn billiards had been fun. Perhaps today would be as well. Charlotte’s anxiety had nothing to do with spending time at the house party and everything to do with the people actually attending it. They had the potential of spreading rumors and ruining her. If even one person discovered her clandestine meetings with Declan...
That could not happen.
“How are you feeling now?” Jaclyn asked as she took a seat near Charlotte. “It is clear you did not sleep well. Is something bothering you?”
Jaclyn knew her well. She really couldn’t ask for a better friend. “I should apologize,” Charlotte began. “You’re correct. I couldn’t sleep last night.”
“Is that why you decided to sneak out of our room?” Jaclyn asked in a deceptively innocent tone. Charlotte knew better. Her friend hoped to gain some information by catching Charlotte off guard. She could not fall into that carefully laid trap.
“I thought a walk might help me sleep,” she replied calmly.
“And where did you take this walk?” She tilted her head to the side. “Did you go outdoors?”
“Fresh air seemed like it might help,” Charlotte answered. “I thought the gardens might help.” She left out that the gardens she had in mind were not on Havenwood grounds. Though she never made it to her original destination, a garden had been what she’d been aiming for originally. So it wasn’t a complete fib.
“Exercise with gorgeous surroundings to help clear your mind?” She lifted a brow. That suggested Jaclyn didn’t fully believe her. She would have to tread carefully. “Clearly it didn’t work since you continued to toss and turn all night. What is troubling you?”
There were so many things she wanted to confess. The truth was on the tip of her tongue, and she was tempted to let it spill free. She couldn’t. At least, not yet. Charlotte was not prepared for the grief Jaclyn would unleash upon her. One day soon she would tell her. She would have to. Charlotte was not good at keeping secrets. They festered inside of her until she had to cauterize that gaping hole inside of her. There was only one way to let it out, and that was to speak the secret aloud to someone she trusted. There was no one she had more faith in than Jaclyn.She just wasn’t ready yet to tell anyone. Mainly because she still didn’t quite understand any of it herself.
“This house party...” She let that trail off. What else could she really say? Jaclyn wasn’t any more thrilled than Charlotte about going over to the nearby estate. Which reminded her... “Do you think we can be excused from attending?” She took a deep breath. “It hasn’t escaped my notice that you tried to avoid the Duke of Amberwood. What did he do to you?” There was a history between them. One that Jaclyn had never told her.
Jaclyn glanced away from her. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Charlotte understood. She didn’t want to talk about this fledgling relationship between her and Declan. They didn’t have a history, at least not yet. If something happened to make this thing between them disappear—Charlotte definitely wouldn’t wish to discuss it in depth. The pain would be too great. That was perhaps what Jaclyn was going through now. Then it occurred to her. “The scandal.” There was only one other thing Jaclyn didn’t discuss. Much like Charlotte, their respective scandals were the one thing they agreed to never speak about.
Jaclyn froze, and that was all the answer Charlotte needed. Somehow the duke had been involved, and he was a constant reminder of her indiscretion. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Her tone was as frigid as a cold winter day. “And no, I don’t believe Mrs. Havenwood would allow us to stay behind. We might as well prepare ourselves for the upcoming day.”
Charlotte nodded. “You’re right, of course.” She glanced away. Charlotte hadn’t wanted to upset Jaclyn, but at least now she had stopped asking her uncomfortable questions. As long as Charlotte didn’t press her for answers, Jaclyn would give her the same respect. “What do you think the marchioness has planned for us today?” They hadn’t been given much to go on. The marchioness had given them the time for the soiree, and then a schedule for the rest of the week. They could decidewhich of each day’s activities they wished to participate in. The first day, they had only had the soiree planned. Today, they were to go over at noon, and they would decide then what they wished to do. Tomorrow, they had an early morning activity that seemed more geared toward the gentlemen. A hunt perhaps? The marchioness had left off the details since it wasn’t for ladies. That interested Charlotte just because such an activity was designed to exclude. She would have to ask Declan what the marchioness had planned. Perhaps she’d turn her nose up at societal rules and join the gentlemen. Especially if it was a hunt. She would adore riding along with the men as they chased their prey.
Jaclyn shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“No,” Charlotte said. “I’m only curious.”
“Well, there is only one way to discover the truth,” Jaclyn said, then stood. “Let’s head to the foyer. We will have to leave soon, and the others are probably already waiting.”
Charlotte sighed and stood. “You’re right. If I want to know what we are doing, we have to actually go and find out.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t usually like surprises. I have a feeling this one won’t be welcome either.” She definitely would have to question Declan. She hated not knowing something, and he would tell her. At least, she thought he would. If he hoped she would continue to attend, he would spill all the details. Otherwise, she would find a way to be excluded.
They walked out of the sitting room and headed to the foyer. They both remained silent the entire short trek to their destination. Jaclyn had been correct. There were others there already waiting, including their chaperones. Only one person was absent.
