Page 11 of One Scandal Too Many (Havenwood Academy #1)

C harlotte strolled through the woods heading toward the pond. She could barely make out her surroundings as she traipsed along the path. The light of a waning moon was the only thing illuminating her course. She had wanted to return to the gardens at Easton Abbey again, but had not dared do so until now. When she reached the gardens, she’d take more than one mere primrose. She’d pluck enough blooms to make a bouquet of her own design.

She sneaked into the garden and went straight to the actual roses. No more primroses for her. Charlotte stopped and stared down at them. She hadn’t thought this out. She couldn’t very well pluck a rose when the thorns would surely rip through her fingers. She’d need cutting shears for those. A different flower would have to be chosen.

What flowers should she pick from the garden? Charlotte considered all of her options and studied her surroundings. Then the sight of the perfect flower filled her gaze. Directly in front of her a row of peonies presented themselves, almost as if they begged for her attention. There were pink, white, yellow, and red peonies for her to choose from. But why choose just one color? She’d select several of each shade for her bouquet.

As she was about to gather the blooms a voice boomed from behind her. “You’ve returned,” the marquess said. “How fortunate for me.”

“Fortunate?” She turned to him and lifted a brow. “In what way, my lord?”

Excitement filled her at the sight of him. In truth, this was what she’d wanted. Him. The flowers had been an excuse to tread on his hallowed ground. Charlotte had hoped he’d catch her again, and perhaps she could steal something of a different sort. She had been denied a kiss, and she desperately wanted his lips on hers.

“Because all thieves must be punished,” he replied as he stepped closer to her. “And I plan on ensuring that your punishment will be delivered by me alone.”

Charlotte swallowed hard. “And what penalty must I forfeit, my lord?” She licked her lips in anticipation. “What price must I pay for daring to steal a flower?”

His lips tilted upward into that devastatingly wicked smile of his. The one that made her heart race harder within her chest. Her breathing became shallow and she braced herself for whatever he decided to do with her. She prayed it was a kiss. Anything else could very well be a disappointment.

The marquess lifted his hand and trailed a finger over the side of her face, then cupped her cheek in his palm. “Tell the truth, darling,” he began. “You wanted something more than a mere flower. Why else would have have sneaked into my garden?”

He was correct of course. She would never admit as such. That would be tantamount to accepting that her desire for him outweighed all of her common sense. “What else would I hope to gain?” She tilted her head to the side. “Tell me, my lord. What do you believe I desire?”

“The answer to that is obvious.” He pulled her into his arms. “You want something only I can give you.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against her ear. “You want me.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. Oh yes, she wanted him. So much that her body hummed with a need she could not identify. Charlotte wanted his kiss, and perhaps far more than that. It would be a mistake, but oh what a glorious one it would be. “And if I do?” she asked, her voice coming out breathless from the longing heating her body. “What are you offering, my lord?”

“I’m willing to give you more pleasure than you can possibly imagine,” he told her. “So much ecstasy it might be enough to sustain you for a lifetime.”

Charlotte almost moaned just from the words he whispered against her ear. She wanted to scream yes, please, and more; however, she refrained from giving in to that urge. If she begged he’d expect that from her whenever they came together. She had to keep some control over her desires or she’d forever be a slave to him. “That sounds promising,” she told him. “But I’m not so certain that is an achievable goal.” A part of her hoped it would be. So, so much...

“Shall we test the theory then?” He chuckled softly and it tickled her ear. “Challenge accepted, darling. Be prepared to burn for me.” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth, and she gasped at the sensation. “And beg for more.”

The marquess moved his lips along her jawline. She nearly melted in his arms. When his lips found hers she lost all ability to think. He licked his tongue over her lips and she opened willingly for him. He stroked her tongue with his in a dance that left her reeling with need. She started to shake with it and her legs turned to jelly. He held her deftly against him as he continued to plunder her mouth with such expertise she started to believe him. Charlotte may very well remember this night for the rest of her life.

He moved his hands down to cup her derriere. With his hardness pressed against her belly she started to question the wisdom of allowing him to take liberties. He moved one of his hands to her breasts, and that new sensation sent her over the edge. It was all too many different feelings laden within her own body. Charlotte felt as if she might burst, and when the hand he cupped her bottom with began to lift her skirts—she had to make a decision, and fast.

“You’re falling for me, aren’t you?” he whispered in her ear. “And you will allow me to have all of you.” He stroked his hand over her naked thigh. “Say yes, darling, and you’ll be mine forever.”

Charlotte sat up in her bed and gasped. She’d woken up from a dream so fervid it had seemed real. Not a nightmare but still unsettling all the same. He’d been in that dream. Almost as if he were touching her, kissing her, loving her... She wanted to go to him and make that dream a reality. That would be a foolish endeavor. One that would lead to her heartbreak. Ever since that invitation had arrived, her dreams had become more and more intense.

She had to see him. Charlotte had been suppressing that need for days now. She could not have another dream like that one. It was making sleep next to impossible. Going over to the Easton estate was not a good idea. It was beyond foolish. Still, she fully intended to act on that reckless impulse.

The moon was bright in the sky even though it wasn’t completely full—much like it had been in her dream. She could use that light to navigate through the woods over to Easton Manor. The only thing she was not certain about was how to locate the marquess once she reached the estate. Where would he be? Would he already be asleep? The last time she’d trespassed on his land, he hadn’t been. She hoped that it would be as easy to find him this time as it had been the previous visit.

Slowly, she left her bed and dressed as quietly as she could. If either Jaclyn or Georgina awakened, they would stop her from going, or worse—they might want to accompany her. She could not allow either of those two things to happen. Charlotte had to meet with the marquess. Alone. The last thing she needed was witnesses to this madness.

Once she was dressed, Charlotte tiptoed out of the room. She wouldn’t put her boots on until she was safely outside. She carried them in her hands as she descended the stairs. After she exited the school, she stopped to slide them on. Then she made her way toward the woods, and therefore the Easton estate. She took a deep breath and then kept walking.

Not once on her way there did she stop to think about what she was doing. If she pondered on it too much, she would turn around, and she didn’t wish to do that. Her breathing became more ragged with each step she took. Finally, she reached the edge of the gardens and slowed her pace. She stared at the foliage and considered her options. Should she return to the area of the garden she’d visited before? The flowers had been gorgeous. At the very least, she could admire them while she visited.

Charlotte stopped at the primroses and leaned down to smell them. Their fragrance tickled her nose as the sweet scent enveloped her. Somehow, for some reason, this action comforted her, and the anxiety she had been carrying floated away. Perhaps she would steal a couple of blossoms again—like the peonies that she’d considered in her dream, but she much preferred the primroses. Charlotte smiled at that thought. It would seem fitting somehow to fulfill that fantasy and create a bouquet from the marquess’s garden. She hadn’t kept the other pilfered blooms. Answering questions about where she’d found them hadn’t been something she wished to do. For that reason, she refrained from plucking the primroses now. But still, the flowers were a temptation. Charlotte did so adore primroses.

“Are they your favorite?” a man asked from behind her.

She stiffened when he spoke. Charlotte didn’t need to turn around to know who stood there. He had come. She shouldn’t have doubted that he would. Fate wanted them to meet like this. She still didn’t fully know what was in her heart or what drew her to the marquess, but she intended to unravel that mystery. “Perhaps,” she answered as she turned around.

“Is that why you keep sneaking into my garden to steal them?” the marquess asked.

“No,” she told him. “I didn’t come to steal any flowers tonight.”

He stepped closer to her. “Then why are you here?”

Charlotte shrugged. Would he believe her if she told the truth? Doubtful. But what could she say that he would believe? He thought her a simpering, foolish young miss. Should she pretend to be that girl he believed her to be? “Why would I be here?”

His lips tilted upward. “I couldn’t say,” he said. “As you could have waited until tomorrow to visit. You do have an invitation to attend the activities here.” He stepped even closer. “I have to think that you have a more...” The marquess leaned forward until his mouth was next to her ear, “...personal reason to see me.”

Charlotte closed her eyes and reminded herself to breathe. This was already so similar to the dream that had awakened her earlier that night. He was oh so near her. If he reached out, he could touch her, but he continued to lean in, making her aware of every part of him. She wanted to step back. No, that wasn’t true. What she truly desired was to wrap her arms around his neck and demand he kiss her. He wouldn’t, of course. He had made that clear the last time they had been in proximity to each other. “You could be correct,” she conceded. “I did wish to speak with you.”

There. That was succinct. He wouldn’t know that his nearness affected her so much. Damn him and the temptation he wrought within her. She didn’t move. Charlotte would not give him the satisfaction of knowing that she wanted him. She would not beg him to touch her or kiss her.

He didn’t step away. Instead, he lifted his head and met her gaze. They were still so close that they nearly touched each other. “What did you wish to see me regarding?”

She blinked several times as all ability to think left her. “I told you I could not attend.” That almost made some sort of sense. “Why would you invite the entire school?”

“That’s not actually accurate, is it?” He chuckled softly. “As there are, what, six of you still in attendance at the moment.”

“Still.” She cleared her throat as she fought her emotions. “You knew I’d still be there.”

“Precisely,” he agreed. “You’re the reason any invitation was given.”

She frowned. “What?” That couldn’t be correct. Why would her being at the school make all the difference? Especially as she had made it clear she did not want to attend any house party at his estate. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I need you to attend,” he said casually. “And I did take your concerns into account. That is why the invitation is for the day activities, and the ball. Have you not looked over the schedule?”

She had. The events all seemed like... fun. He had designed them to tempt her even more. She was certain of it. “That’s not...” Charlotte fought to find the right words. “The events are not the issue.” Why was it so difficult to speak with this man? Was it because he remained so close to her? Why hadn’t he stepped back already?

“Then what, pray tell, are you having difficulty with?” he asked.

Nothing much. Just a failure to breathe. A rapid heartbeat. Oh, and a deep-seated desire to taste his lips and lose herself in his arms. Difficulty? That wasn’t a word she would use to describe her current predicament. It was far more complex than that. He was her potential ruin. “I should go.” She wanted to stay.

“Should you?” He continued to stare into her eyes. “When you just arrived? Stay.”

“Why?” She furrowed her brows. “You told me never to come back.”

“I changed my mind.” He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek ever so lightly. “I like when you visit.”

She swallowed hard. Charlotte hadn’t expected him to welcome her. “I don’t understand.” It was as if the world had flipped around and nothing was what it should be.

“You don’t need to,” he replied huskily. “At least, not yet. We have time.”

“We don’t,” she told him. “I really should go now.”

“Not yet,” he insisted.

Then he did something she didn’t think he would. Especially as he insisted he would never do it. The marquess leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. It was light at first, as if he was testing her. To see if she’d allow him to kiss her or if she would push him away. When she didn’t, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. She gasped in surprise, and he used her surprise to deepen the kiss. He slid his tongue into her mouth. Charlotte moaned as his tongue danced with hers. Before she knew what was happening, she wrapped her arms around him and was kissing him back. This was far superior to anything she could have ever envisioned. Because it was real and not a fantasy her mind had conjured.

He tasted like brandy and honey. She was addicted to him with one kiss. Charlotte wanted more. This was an exceptional experience, and so much more intense than she could ever have imagined. Slowly he lifted his mouth from hers only to press his lips to her cheek. “I couldn’t wait. I should have kissed you that first night. I’ve dreamt of it ever since. Thought of little else...”

Her skin was heated, and she wanted to kiss him again, but she had one clear thought: He wanted her as much as she wanted him. How had she missed that?

*

Declan had hoped she would visit his garden again even as he realized she was unlikely to do so. Still, he found himself staring out into the garden each night, imagining her there. When she failed to waltz into his garden as if she belonged there, Declan would make himself return to his bedchamber, where he slept fitfully as he dreamed of her each night.

But tonight... she’d come. It was not his imagination. She was there, and in his arms. And she tasted like heaven and wickedness at the same time. He’d finally been able to kiss her and hold her against him. He knew he shouldn’t have, but she was a temptation in the moonlight he could no longer resist.

Declan stopped at that profound kiss. It was something he’d never forget.

“I should escort you back to the school.” His tone was rough as he spoke. Declan’s need for her was there in his voice. In another place and time, he might have carried her to his bed and made love to her all night long. But he had to honor some of the rules regarding respectability and treat her as the innocent she was. Even if he wanted to kiss her again, and fully intended to before the night was done. But he could wait a little longer to have his mouth on hers once more.

“I don’t need you to escort me back.” She tilted her head to the side. Then when he was about to respond, she threw him for a loop by asking, “Why did you kiss me? If I recall correctly, you said your kisses were never sweet, and I needed that from a man. Have you decided you’re what I need?”

She bloody well knew how to disarm him. He would give her that. “I haven’t decided anything,” he told her. Which was the truth. Declan didn’t know what he felt for this woman. She confused him at every turn. The only thing he understood with any certainty was that he desired her. He wanted to kiss her; therefore, he did. “Do not give any credence to that kiss. It was just a kiss, darling, nothing more. I won’t be asking for your hand in the morning.”

“As if I’d accept it,” she scoffed. “You’re an arse. At least nothing has changed in that regard.”

He chuckled softly. Declan did like her. Not that he’d tell her that. It might give her ideas. “Why are you here, really? You could have spoken with me at the soiree tomorrow.”

“I haven’t decided if I am attending the soiree,” she told him. “School seems more appealing.”

That wouldn’t do. Not at all. He would have to convince her to attend. What would make her more likely to come with the other students? He held out his hand to her and would consider his options as he escorted her back. “Come, darling,” he said. “It’s time for you to return where you belong.”

She glared at him, but she allowed him to take her hand and tuck in against his arm. Declan considered that to be progress. They started walking, but he stopped briefly and plucked a primrose. He tucked it behind her ear. “It’s almost as pretty as you are,” he told her.

Charlotte frowned. “Why are you being so nice?”

“I’m never nice,” he insisted. “But I can be pleasant on occasion. You happened to visit on a night when I feel a little ambivalent. Don’t worry,” he said in a mirthful tone. “Tomorrow I might be grumpier. Just for you.”

They began walking again, and she was silent, but not for long. “I don’t trust this,” she finally said. “It’s not what I’ve come to expect from you.”

“Everyone has different facets about them, darling,” he told her. “Even you. Why would you think I don’t have, shall we say, a softer side to me?”

She shrugged. “If I were to be honest, I hadn’t really thought about it much.”

“You should,” he said. “It is not very considerate of you to think of a person in such limited means.”

They continued their path toward the school, and before he realized, they reached the edge of the pond. The very spot where he’d first caught a glimpse of her, and she most likely saw more of him than she had planned. He could not regret that day. It led him to her, after all, and she was the most interesting female of his acquaintance.

He stopped at the pond because he wanted that moment to reminisce, more than anything. The pond had a deeper meaning to him now. Declan grinned as those memories came flooding back. When he had first seen her, his first reaction had not been amusement. Now he had a certain fondness at the idea of her spying on him and his friends.

“I should probably apologize for that day,” she said, bringing him back to the present.

“But you’re not going to,” he guessed.

“I’m not,” she said, then grinned. “I regret nothing.”

He laughed then. “You’re too brazen for your own good, darling.” Declan wanted to kiss her again right there. He restrained himself from taking her into his arms, barely. Another kiss would have to wait. He had to see her back to Havenwood before she was missed. “We’ve dawdled too long already here. Let’s get you back to the school.”

They traveled in silence for several moments. He still didn’t know what to say to her to entice her to attend the soiree. He had to give her a reason or she might stay at the school. But what would make her want to attend? It should probably be her idea, or what she thought to be, anyway. They reached the edge of the forest that would open up onto the school grounds. He stopped and turned to her.

“I wanted to say something before you go back inside.” He had to handle this carefully. Something he wasn’t so certain he was capable of doing. Declan would definitely do something he shouldn’t. He wouldn’t be the man he was if he didn’t.

“Oh?” She tilted her head to the side. “And what is that?”

Declan stared down at her, and he decided on a different tactic altogether. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. There was nothing sweet in this kiss. He’d been almost tender with her the first time, sensing that was what she had needed. This time the kiss was about passion and need, and everything he desired from her and with her. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, not asking for permission. He just took, and she melted against him. The kiss had a ferocity that nearly undid him. She matched him with each stroke of her tongue against his. Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck, and her fingers tangled in his hair. She yanked him closer and demanded more from him. He gladly gave it to her.

If he didn’t stop the kiss, it would go too far. He wanted it to. Desperately. But he would not take her in the grass outside of her school. If they ever found themselves enraptured with each other again, he would find the nearest bed and make slow, fervent love to her. He wanted to have the whole night to kiss every inch of her and bring her to completion in such a way she’d never want any other man except him. He lifted his head and stared down at her.

Her eyes were closed, and her lips parted. They were plump from his demanding kisses. It made him want to dip down and taste them once more. Instead, he stroked his hand over her back and then down lower to cup her arse in the palms of his hands. She gasped as he pulled her against his hardness. “You drive me mad, darling,” he said. “If you’re too afraid of what this means, then you should stay away. Not a night goes by when I do not imagine you in my bed.” He brushed his lips against hers in a brief, almost too-light kiss. “So run scared. Stay away and protect yourself from me. Because I promise you that if you do attend the soiree or any of the events over the next sennight, that will happen. You will be mine.”

He let her go, and she stared at him in astonishment. “You mean that?”

“I do,” he insisted. Then he lifted his lips up into a sinful smile. “And you’ll enjoy every second of it.”

Perhaps he had said too much. Declan hoped not. He wanted to dare her to come closer, and she was a hellion enough to meet his demands. She would come. He’d wager on it. “Until tomorrow, darling” He started to leave, then turned to her. “One more thing.”

“What?” she asked. Her eyes filled with longing as she met his gaze. Declan shared that same desire with her, and he hoped to fulfill it one day soon. There was something unidentifiable between them.

“Call me Declan. You should know my name for when we’re in bed together.” With those words he turned and left her alone outside of the school. He would see her again, and soon. He smiled as he headed back home. He’d have erotic dreams that night. Especially since he had some experience to fill in some of those gaps from his previous ones. He couldn’t wait. Hell, he couldn’t wait for the woman herself to be in his bed. He believed more than before that she would be there. Hopefully, one day soon... Declan no longer cared it meant marriage if he lured her into his bed. So be it. When the time came, he would accept that outcome if need be. After all, he had to marry sometime. Why not tie himself to the one woman that tempted him beyond all reason? There were definitely worse fates to accept.