Page 25 of One Scandal Too Many
“You look thrilled to be at this little soiree,” Amberwood drawled. “Why did you agree to have a house party if you did not actually want guests in your home?”
Declan couldn’t explain it to them. They wouldn’t understand. Hell, he wasn’t certain he did, either, except that this was a way for him to spend time with Charlotte that was socially acceptable. “My mother was relentless,” he said. Not that this was his reason for agreeing. He could have withstood his mother’s constant hassling. “It was easier to agree.”
“A likely story,” Foxmoore said, “but neither one of us believes it.” He grinned. “Why did you really allow her to plan this?” The earl’s gaze was suddenly riveted to something in the distance. Declan turned to see what had caught his attention, then grinned.
They were there... and he wasn’t the only one interested in their arrival. Both Foxmoore and Amberwood were watching them as they walked toward the gathering. Interesting. Something to ponder at a later date, but if he had to hazard a guess, he’d say that Foxmoore had taken a liking to Miss Georgina Williams. Amberwood must have an interest in Charlotte’s other friend, Jaclyn. He couldn’t be certain, though. The duke kept his feelings to himself on most matters.
“Believe what you will,” Declan said. He didn’t much care if they accepted his reasons. His goal had been to have Charlotte there, and so far, his scheming had been successful. He grinned. “If you’ll pardon me, I have some more guests to welcome.”
The soiree was informal. There was some food and other refreshments for the guests, but this was just a way for them tosocialize at the start of the house party. He’d done his duty and greeted everyone else already. Now he would go say hello to the new arrivals. Charlotte was the one he wanted to give all his attention to, but he would not ignore any of them and make her stand out. She would not welcome that.
“Good afternoon,” he said jovially. He bowed before them. “We are happy that you are able to be with us today.”
“It is our pleasure,” Mrs. Havenwood said. “I appreciate your generosity. This is a good opportunity for the girls.”
“Think nothing of it.” He glanced at the other women with her. There were a few he was not familiar with. “I hope you all will have a wonderful day with us. Feel free to mingle, have some food and drink, and more importantly, have some fascinating conversations. If you would like me to introduce you to anyone, please let me know.”
“Thank you again,” Mrs. Havenwood said. “We will keep your offer in mind.” She motioned for the girls to follow her. “Isobel and Katherine, you are with me,” she said. “Melisande and Georgiana, go with Miss Abernathy. Charlotte and Jaclyn, stay with Miss Spencer.” They all went off with their prospective chaperones.
Declan fell into step with Charlotte, Jaclyn, and Miss Spencer. He hadn’t met any of the instructors at the school. The teacher was a petite blonde that had perfect posture. She didn’t seem like the type that would ever have a hair out of place. That must be why Mrs. Havenwood had assigned her to Charlotte and Jaclyn. Those two were clearly the hellions of the group. He had to admit that was one of the qualities he found appealing about Charlotte. She could be so brazen it stole his breath.
“I thought perhaps you would not attend today,” he began. “The soiree has been in progress for a while now.”
“We were only a little delayed,” Miss Spencer responded for them. “My apologies if we arrived too late for your liking.”
He hadn’t really been addressing the group as a whole, but he could not correct her assumption. Declan had caught Charlotte’s gaze, though, and she knew he’d been speaking to her. In that one glance, he also realized she was the one that had held them up. There was a guilty look in her eyes at his words. She had thought about staying away. He was glad she had decided against foregoing the soiree.
“Think nothing of it,” Declan said. “I am glad you are here at all.” He nodded at them all. “If you will excuse me, I have other guests to speak with. Enjoy yourselves.”
Declan glanced one more time at Charlotte, then turned on his heels to depart. He wanted to remain at her side, but he knew that would only cause gossip. There would be plenty of times over the next week for them to meet, and maybe he would even be fortunate enough to speak with her again at the soiree.
He walked back over to his friends. They were both secretly glancing in the direction of the students. It was even more obvious which ones they had an interest in. Foxmoore stared openly at Georgina, and the girl blushed when she met his gaze. He wondered what the earl would do about his interest. Would this house party give him an opportunity to become more acquainted with the girl he had an interest in?
Amberwood was glancing in the direction that Declan had just left. He didn’t think he had an interest in Charlotte, and he’d never been introduced to Miss Spencer. That left Lady Jaclyn Thomas. He seemed to be previously acquainted with her. He never spoke to her or about her, but there was this underlying tension between them.
He could not think about his friends and their interests. At least not now. He had his own lady to woo, and he didn’t know how he was going to have any time with her. There was much plotting to be done so he could speak with her alone. Declan fully intended to ensure he had that time with her before they left thatday. How he was going to make that happen—he didn’t know yet. But he would.
Declan grinned as he reached his friends, an idea suddenly forming. Perhaps he should take an interest in their feelings. They might very well be able to help each other. “How do you two feel about playing a game?” They hadn’t planned on any games for this soiree, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t play one.
“Depends on the game,” Amberwood said.
“I’m willing,” Foxmoore said. “This party is too sedate for my tastes. We could use something to liven it up.”
“Excellent,” he said. “We just need a few more willing participants.” He grinned. And he knew just who they would be. “Follow me. We must retrieve a few materials from the house.”
Once they found what he had in mind, they would have to set up the game on the lawn. They would play some ground billiards. Now to just find the mallets, balls, and iron rings. Then they would have to convince a few ladies to play with them. The anticipation for the upcoming game filled him with excitement. Hopefully, it went how he imagined...
Chapter Twelve
Declan stared atthe area where he’d had the servants set up the lawn billiards. The iron rings had been placed strategically around the back lawn to resemble the pockets he had on the table in his game room. The lawn would serve as the game board here. The rules would be similar to those of billiards, but with a few key changes. There would be no cue ball, which made scoring points different as they played.
Now to assemble the players. He glanced at his two friends. “We need a fourth gentleman for this to have even numbers.” He nodded toward the ladies he intended to approach. “There are four of Havenwood’s students gathered there. We cannot invite three and let the other one be a spectator.”
“That is true,” Foxmoore agreed and furrowed his brows. “Who shall we ask, then?”
Amberwood sighed. “I’d rather not play at all.” He blew out a breath. “But since I am, I would rather have another gentleman I did not loathe to be a part of the game.”
“A valid request,” Declan added. “And one I agree with. Do you have anyone in mind?”
