Page 48 of One Scandal Too Many
“That I do,” she said gleefully. “I’ll start the meal preparations while ye see tae the rest.” She grinned at Declan. “I’ll deliver yer meal now. Go join yer lass.”
Declan turned toward Bram. “Is there anything you need from me?”
“No,” he said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a wedding here. The villagers will be eager tae be a part of the celebration. Many will be more than willing to aid me in the preparations.”
“All right.” A part of Declan wanted to ensure that everything was taken care of. This had to go perfectly. He would be anxious until they said their vows and Charlotte was his wife. “I’ll be in the dining hall if you need me for anything. If we are not there, we will be in our room.”
“Go,” Bram ordered. “I canna complete my tasks with ye around tae question everything. I’ll see tae it. Ye may trust me. Yer wedding will be memorable.”
Of course it would be. Because at the end of it all, Charlotte would be his wife. That was all he wanted. But Bram was correct. He wasn’t helping by standing around and being in the way. “I’ll leave now. I promise.”
Bram laughed as Declan walked away. Charlotte was where he had left her in the dining room. She had her back straight and her hands folded in her lap. Her honey blonde hair was tied back loosely. He hadn’t given her much time to use her pins and secure it up more. He had to admit, though, that he liked it thisway. He loved her hair and wanted to run his fingers through the silky locks.
She glanced up and met his gaze. Her inviting smile filled him with warmth. He should tell her that he loved her. He didn’t know why he hadn’t said the words yet. They were getting married. Surely that was more of declaration than the words. Still, he should tell her. It was always nice to know exactly how someone felt.
It didn’t escape his notice she hadn’t told him she loved him, either. It might bother him if she hadn’t agreed to be his wife. All right, it still did bother him. A little. He wanted to hear the words too, and perhaps if he said them first, she would finally say them too.
He hoped so, at least.
Either way, they were getting married. If she didn’t love him yet, he could win her heart. Declan could be charming, and he would endear himself to her. They had the rest of their lives to build on what they already had between them. Some marriages had started on less.
“Our meal should be here soon,” he said. “Ginerva, the innkeeper’s wife, will bring it out.”
“Oh, good,” Charlotte said and placed her hand on her stomach. “I’m starving. I did not realize how hungry I was until you mentioned a meal.”
“And I am equally as hungry,” he began. “I cannot wait myself.” He had no clue what they would serve them, but he didn’t much care. He just needed food.
Ginerva didn’t make them wait long. She brought out a tray filled with two steaming bowls, a loaf of bread, and two tankards of ale. “It’s mutton stew,” she said. “Been cooking a better part of the day. It should be filling. If ye need anything else, just holler for me.”
Charlotte lifted the loaf of bread and broke a piece off, then dipped it in her stew. She bit it and chewed. A low moan escaped from her that sent a shiver of need through him. It was almost scandalous, that sound, and very similar to the way she had moaned for him as he had brought her to climax. “Darling,” he said hoarsely. “You’re slowly killing me over here.”
She lifted her gaze to him and smiled. That wanton smile that promised naughty acts. God, he loved her. “But it will be nothing but pleasure until your last breath.”
“Promises, promises,” he said. Then he broke a piece of bread to try the stew. It was delicious. “I do understand those moans of delight now. It is good, or it could be we’ve just been deprived of food and are appreciating it filling our bellies now.”
“Or it could just be good.” She took another bite. “How long until our wedding?”
“Anxious?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” She ate more of her stew. “We need to be wed. The sooner the better.”
“Because of your father?” he asked.
“I’ve been missing,” Charlotte reminded him. “Mrs. Havenwood will have to notify him. It’ll take him a few days to arrive, but he will come.”
Declan had not considered that. “But we will be wed before he can arrive. He won’t be here for several days. He cannot prevent our marriage.”
“I’ll still feel a lot better after we are officially wed.” She took a drink of the ale. “So, I ask again: When is the wedding?”
“A couple more hours.” He frowned. “The innkeeper is making some extra arrangements for us. I wanted to ensure we had plenty of witnesses to our union.”
“That’s smart,” she said. “The duke cannot buy off everyone. There are probably a few here that would be insulted that hetried.” She grinned. “That would be interesting to observe. My father doesn’t like to hear the word ‘no’.”
“Well,” Declan said. “He’s going to hear that word an awful lot. In a few hours, you will be my wife, and he will have no say in your life.”
“That’s true,” she said. “You will be my lord and master.”
He grinned. “I’ll be an honorable one. You have my word.” Declan winked. “In fact, you’ll enjoy many of my orders.”
