Page 33 of One Scandal Too Many
“It’s not important,” she said. Charlotte did not wish to speak ill of the duke. Declan considered him a good friend. Besides, she wanted to protect Jaclyn for as long as possible. Her friend did not need any more anxiety at the moment. She motioned toward the targets. “Archery?”
“Yes,” he said. “I just finished speaking with my mother about the activities she has planned.” He glanced around them. “There are more guests here than I anticipated.”
“What will we do next?”
“It’s a competition,” he began. “She has an elaborate point system set up. The top three scores will win a prize.”
Charlotte nibbled on her bottom lip. She debated all the possibilities. If she participated in the archery contest, she could win; however, that would mean her father might discover the results. He didn’t want her displaying her skill for all the ton to witness. Did she want to take a risk that might displease her father? What could she possibly gain by taking part in this activity? Perhaps there was something she could do instead. But what? She narrowed her gaze and studied Declan. “Are you going to take part in the archery contest?”
“It was my intention to do so.” He studied her. “Are you?”
“I’m considering it,” she said in a noncommittal tone. Charlotte glanced over to the archery area once more. “Are you a fair archer?”
“I’d say so.” He frowned. “What is your concern? Perhaps I can alleviate it.”
She doubted he could. This had to be her decision, and hers alone. If she decided to take up the bow and take a chance in the contest, she would have to own that choice. Especially once her father discovered what she had done. “It’s not something you can change.” She smiled. “Either I decide to take part, or I don’t.”
“And if you don’t?” He lifted a brow. “What will you do then?”
Charlotte shrugged. “That’s yet to be decided as well.” Should she suggest they go off somewhere and find someplace to be alone? She would love to kiss him again. His kisses were so decadent they made her toes curl. She had never dared to believe she would find a gentleman so perfectly suited for her.
He narrowed his gaze. “I believe that you should select a bow and prepare to shoot.”
“You do?” She tilted her head to the side and studied him. What was he trying to say here? Did he think she was good at archery, or was this something else? Charlotte could not be certain. “And pray tell, why is that?”
“Because you want to,” he said in a tone that brokered no argument. It was decisive and firm and it made her shiver a little bit. “Do you need any other reason than that?”
Charlotte had no doubt he would list off as many as she required if she asked it of him. She didn’t need that, though. It was enough that he believed she should do as she pleased. “Will you escort me over to select my bow?” She would want to test them all to find the one she was most comfortable with. The last time she had held a bow had been some time ago. Definitely not since she’d been at Havenwood.
“I’d love nothing more,” he said warmly. “In fact,” he began. “I’ll even select a bow myself. We can compete in this tournament together.” He winked. “My mother informed me we would be pairing up either way. The scores will be accumulated between the two of us.”
“Interesting.” Was this his mother’s way of ensuring that more of the guests had a chance to interact with each other, or did she hope her son would find his bride at this party? What did it mean that he preferred her company? Should she even begin to think he might want that bride to be her? “What is the prize we will win?”
“My mother informed me that I couldn’t know until the winners were declared.” He rolled his eyes. “I am afraid of what it might be, since she is being so secretive. She can be a tad overdramatic at times.”
Charlotte laughed. “It must be nice, though. To have a parent care enough to bother.” Her father saw her as a reflection of himself, nothing more. Her actions affected him, and therefore she must consider that in every decision she made. He made no secret what he thought of her and any of her gender. Females had only one purpose—to provide an heir or support their husband in whatever way they needed. As his daughter, she would secure a match that would only prove to elevate his position. She wasn’t certain in what way. He was a duke, after all. What would he gain by her marriage?
In that regard, she turned her attention to Declan. He was a marquess. Not nearly as lofty as a duke, but still a high-ranking title. Would her father believe he was good enough for her? She had her doubts. But like everything where her father was concerned, that was no surprise. That one scandal, the one that had ensured her attendance at Havenwood, had been too much. The scandal wasn’t even one of great consequence. She doubted many had even heard about it. Well, that wasn’t true. Too many had heard about it. They had been wrong in their assumptions, but when had that ever mattered when the salaciousness of the tale sounded far better?
They reached the selection of bows. Charlotte picked up one and tested the string. It wasn’t quite right. She did that with allof the bows until she found one that worked best for her. Declan had been doing the same at her side. “I’m ready,” she informed him.
He picked up a bow and tested it and then nodded. “As am I.”
They headed over to one of the servants that was handling all the information for the tournament. Once they received their instructions, they went to their target to wait for the next step. Charlotte studied it. The wind was a little high, and she would have to take that into account when she took her shot.
“You really do not know what the prize will be?” she asked.
“I do not,” he admitted. “I am curious, though. What do you think it could be? Should we take a few guesses?”
“To what end?” She frowned. “We cannot really know until it is announced.”
He shrugged. “To give us something to do until we are to start shooting.” He gestured to the stacks of hay with targets attached to them. “Unless you have a better idea of what we can do until that time?”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t presume to have a better suggestion than that.” Charlotte batted her eyelashes at him. It occurred to her then that she had completely forgotten about Jaclyn and she hadn’t seen her chaperone either. Was Mrs. Havenwood starting to trust them, or was there a scheme she was unaware of happening? Declan could be convincing. He’d persuaded her with ease to meet him the night before. Why wouldn’t he have done something similar with the headmistress of Havenwood?
He chuckled in a low throaty tone that made her insides squirm with a need she didn’t understand. Declan grinned at her. “I’m certain that you have something in mind.”
“If I did,” she told him. “I could not say one way or the other. We are in mixed company, and some might not appreciate my boldness.”
