Page 28 of One Scandal Too Many
“It’s not...” Charlotte nibbled on her bottom lip, then whispered. “It’s scandalous. I never should have met you there last night.”
Declan was not above begging. This game was nice, but he couldn’t pull her into his arms and kiss her. He desperately wanted to taste her lips again. Her kiss was sweet and decadent like a fine wine. Both heady and intoxicating. He couldn’t get enough of her. “It’s not a mistake. You won’t regret coming to me.” It was a promise he intended to keep. This lure between them was too much to ignore. Surely she felt it too.
Charlotte blew out a breath and didn’t answer him. It was her turn to strike her ball. She took aim and sent it sliding through the ring. They were both falling behind. Kendal and Melisande, the most competitive of them all, had already finished. Melisande had single-handedly sent several players back to the start. Declan took his turn and caught back up to Charlotte.
She leaned on her mallet and didn’t meet his gaze. Slowly, she turned. “I’m not making any promises.”
“But you will consider it.” They didn’t need to say what she was potentially agreeing to. He understood without her saying the words. He held back a grin. He would not do something that might discourage her. He wanted her to meet him in the garden. “Should we consider a time?” He lifted a brow. “So we don’t miss each other.”
Charlotte shook her head. “That would be making a promise. I already said I wouldn’t.”
“Still...” He met her gaze. Heat flooded him as she brazenly stared up at him. “Let’s say midnight. If you are there, and I am there...”
“No promises,” she repeated. “But if I can...”
“Midnight,” he said, and she nodded.
She’d be there. He would wager everything he owned on it. Charlotte craved being with him as much as he did her. There was something between them. It was undeniable, and dare he say it, fated. The rest of the game went by in a blur. His reason for it was met, and the rest was incidental. Now he just had towait for the midnight hour and his Charlotte’s arrival. Declan was giddy with excitement and the prospect of having her in his arms once again. He may very well have a permanent smile on his face as he recalled those tantalizing kisses the night before.
Declan could not claim to be a patient man. He would make the attempt for her. She had become almost an obsession for him, and he was desperate for her. What he didn’t know yet was how far he’d go to make her his. After all, he was not above seduction, and he would thoroughly enjoy luring her to his bed.
Chapter Thirteen
Charlotte was afool. There was no other explanation for why she decided to do as Declan had asked. She knew she should not go to the garden. If she kept acting recklessly, a scandal would happen. One could only be circumspect so many times before such bold behavior came to light. It was surprising she hadn’t been caught already. Twice she’d gone over to the estate and managed to keep her nightly adventures a secret. Surely, a third time would end up with her being caught.
Still... she fully intended to go to the garden. Charlotte could no more stop herself from going than forget to breathe. She needed him like the very air that filled her lungs. How had it come to this? To actually desire to be near a gentleman who would certainly lead her down a path of certain ruin, the very man that she’d both hungered for and been frustrated with after their first real conversation... the marquess would lead to her undoing. There was little doubt of that happening. Not with how little she could control her actions with him.
She sighed. Charlotte was more than aware of what she should do. It mattered not. She would go to him. As soon as she could be sure no one would catch her sneaking out of the school, she’d go to meet him. He would be waiting for her. What happened once she arrived—that was where her uncertainty became a bundle of anxiety. What did she expect would happen? More importantly, what did she want to happen? Another kiss?More than that? Charlotte did not want to think too much about it or she might become too nervous. Then she would be incapable of walking or even speaking. Her body would become some involuntary bit of movement bent on thwarting her need to be near Declan.
That could not happen.
Charlotte lay on top of her bed as still as possible. Her two roommates were fast asleep, and she didn’t want to do anything to disturb their rest. Soon she could crawl out of bed and quietly put on her gown. She had one that could be buttoned in the front for such adventures. Jaclyn had suggested it so they could do naughty things together. Before her garden adventures with Declan, she’d sneaked out with her friend often. They liked to skirt the edge of propriety and explore where they shouldn’t.
Even with all that, Charlotte doubted very much that Jaclyn would approve of what she planned to do, and not for the first time. She still had not confessed to her friend that she’d had any secret meetings with the Marquess of Easton. Jaclyn would chastise her for her reckless behavior. Scandalous intentions could only be taken so far, after all. Charlotte couldn’t even be certain what she hoped to gain by meeting with the marquess again. His kisses were addicting. Perhaps it wasn’t anything more complicated than that.
She took several deep fortifying breaths, then slowly crawled out of the bed. She grabbed the gown she’d left in a place where she could easily retrieve it. Charlotte slid it on and grabbed her boots from by the bed and then tiptoed out of the room. In the dim light she buttoned up her gown and then went down the stairs. Her boots would have to wait until after she was safely outside. If she slipped them on too soon, she ran the risk of creating unnecessary noise.
It did not take long for her to accomplish all that she needed in order to sneak out of the school. Once she was safely away,she picked up her pace until she reached the edge of the woods near the pond. She halted when she realized that someone was near the pond. Panic seized her. Who was there? Should she turn around and head back to the school? Terror had never filled her so much in her entire life. It could be a stranger or perhaps worse. She supposed she should be more terrified of a stranger, but someone familiar could out her, and then she would truly be ruined. With so many guests at the estate, it was possible that one of them had wandered over to the pond.
“Charlotte?” That voice was familiar and welcome. A rush of relief flooded over her, and she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
She took several steps toward him. He hadn’t moved from his place near the pond. The marquess stood there. Waiting. For her. Somehow she didn’t stumble as she moved forward or she might have tripped and fallen right into the pond once she reached him.
“Declan,” she said. She still shook a little from the fright. Charlotte held a hand over her racing heart. “What are you doing here? I thought...” She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence.
“I had to meet you here,” he interrupted her. He sighed. “There was another couple having an assignation in my garden.” He sounded almost put out about that. “Another reason I abhor house parties. Your house ceases to be your own.”
She couldn’t help it; Charlotte laughed. “You poor dear,” she said in a droll tone. “How taxing that must be for you.” He was adorable in his frustration.
The moonlight fell over his face and made the glare he pointed in her direction more evident. “You don’t sound as if you believe that to be true.”
“Not at all,” she reassured him. “Your frustration is quite clear.”
“Not that,” he said. “That you believe it should garner any sympathy at all.”
“Oh,” she said and nibbled on her bottom lip. “I don’t.”
Declan shook his head and then grinned. “Why do I like you?”
