Page 15 of One Scandal Too Many (Havenwood Academy #1)

C harlotte sat on the settee waiting for the other girls. She had barely slept the night before, and it was affecting her mood. She should not have gone to meet Declan. She had known that before she went, and yet, she’d gone. It had been worth it. His kisses were becoming an addiction she would gladly give herself over to, and often. The pleasure was indescribable.

The lack of sleep she could do without, though. She would be grumpy all day because of it. She’d already snapped at Jaclyn before she’d left her bedchamber. Charlotte was not at her best when she did not get proper rest. Therefore, there would be no more meetings with Declan in the wee hours of the night. Otherwise, she would not be able to endure all the activities the marchioness had planned for the house party.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Somehow she would make it through the day. She should have asked Declan what the day’s activity would be. The lawn billiards had been fun. Perhaps today would be as well. Charlotte’s anxiety had nothing to do with spending time at the house party and everything to do with the people actually attending it. They had the potential of spreading rumors and ruining her. If even one person discovered her clandestine meetings with Declan...

That could not happen.

“How are you feeling now?” Jaclyn asked as she took a seat near Charlotte. “It is clear you did not sleep well. Is something bothering you?”

Jaclyn knew her well. She really couldn’t ask for a better friend. “I should apologize,” Charlotte began. “You’re correct. I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“Is that why you decided to sneak out of our room?” Jaclyn asked in a deceptively innocent tone. Charlotte knew better. Her friend hoped to gain some information by catching Charlotte off guard. She could not fall into that carefully laid trap.

“I thought a walk might help me sleep,” she replied calmly.

“And where did you take this walk?” She tilted her head to the side. “Did you go outdoors?”

“Fresh air seemed like it might help,” Charlotte answered. “I thought the gardens might help.” She left out that the gardens she had in mind were not on Havenwood grounds. Though she never made it to her original destination, a garden had been what she’d been aiming for originally. So it wasn’t a complete fib.

“Exercise with gorgeous surroundings to help clear your mind?” She lifted a brow. That suggested Jaclyn didn’t fully believe her. She would have to tread carefully. “Clearly it didn’t work since you continued to toss and turn all night. What is troubling you?”

There were so many things she wanted to confess. The truth was on the tip of her tongue, and she was tempted to let it spill free. She couldn’t. At least, not yet. Charlotte was not prepared for the grief Jaclyn would unleash upon her. One day soon she would tell her. She would have to. Charlotte was not good at keeping secrets. They festered inside of her until she had to cauterize that gaping hole inside of her. There was only one way to let it out, and that was to speak the secret aloud to someone she trusted. There was no one she had more faith in than Jaclyn. She just wasn’t ready yet to tell anyone. Mainly because she still didn’t quite understand any of it herself.

“This house party...” She let that trail off. What else could she really say? Jaclyn wasn’t any more thrilled than Charlotte about going over to the nearby estate. Which reminded her... “Do you think we can be excused from attending?” She took a deep breath. “It hasn’t escaped my notice that you tried to avoid the Duke of Amberwood. What did he do to you?” There was a history between them. One that Jaclyn had never told her.

Jaclyn glanced away from her. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Charlotte understood. She didn’t want to talk about this fledgling relationship between her and Declan. They didn’t have a history, at least not yet. If something happened to make this thing between them disappear—Charlotte definitely wouldn’t wish to discuss it in depth. The pain would be too great. That was perhaps what Jaclyn was going through now. Then it occurred to her. “The scandal.” There was only one other thing Jaclyn didn’t discuss. Much like Charlotte, their respective scandals were the one thing they agreed to never speak about.

Jaclyn froze, and that was all the answer Charlotte needed. Somehow the duke had been involved, and he was a constant reminder of her indiscretion. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Her tone was as frigid as a cold winter day. “And no, I don’t believe Mrs. Havenwood would allow us to stay behind. We might as well prepare ourselves for the upcoming day.”

Charlotte nodded. “You’re right, of course.” She glanced away. Charlotte hadn’t wanted to upset Jaclyn, but at least now she had stopped asking her uncomfortable questions. As long as Charlotte didn’t press her for answers, Jaclyn would give her the same respect. “What do you think the marchioness has planned for us today?” They hadn’t been given much to go on. The marchioness had given them the time for the soiree, and then a schedule for the rest of the week. They could decide which of each day’s activities they wished to participate in. The first day, they had only had the soiree planned. Today, they were to go over at noon, and they would decide then what they wished to do. Tomorrow, they had an early morning activity that seemed more geared toward the gentlemen. A hunt perhaps? The marchioness had left off the details since it wasn’t for ladies. That interested Charlotte just because such an activity was designed to exclude. She would have to ask Declan what the marchioness had planned. Perhaps she’d turn her nose up at societal rules and join the gentlemen. Especially if it was a hunt. She would adore riding along with the men as they chased their prey.

Jaclyn shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“No,” Charlotte said. “I’m only curious.”

“Well, there is only one way to discover the truth,” Jaclyn said, then stood. “Let’s head to the foyer. We will have to leave soon, and the others are probably already waiting.”

Charlotte sighed and stood. “You’re right. If I want to know what we are doing, we have to actually go and find out.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t usually like surprises. I have a feeling this one won’t be welcome either.” She definitely would have to question Declan. She hated not knowing something, and he would tell her. At least, she thought he would. If he hoped she would continue to attend, he would spill all the details. Otherwise, she would find a way to be excluded.

They walked out of the sitting room and headed to the foyer. They both remained silent the entire short trek to their destination. Jaclyn had been correct. There were others there already waiting, including their chaperones. Only one person was absent.

“Where is Melisande?” Mrs. Havenwood asked, then sighed. “Miss Abernathy, could you please go fetch the girl?” The teacher nodded and went toward the stairs. Mrs. Havenwood turned toward them. “I’ve decided we are going to keep the same chaperones with the same students each day we attend. That will keep everything simple. I’ve already discussed this with the staff. Once Miss Abernathy returns with Melisande, we will depart.”

It did not take long. The girl didn’t look happy. She did not seem to want to attend any more than Charlotte or Jaclyn did, and Melisande was far more belligerent than Charlotte. Well, Charlotte had no real reason to be contentious about going. She was more nervous than anything. It made her wonder why Melisande was so opposed to attending. Perhaps it was time to become more acquainted with her...

*

Declan had barely slept the night before, and yet, he had never been more invigorated in his life. He could not wait for the Havenwood entourage to arrive. His mother had planned an archery competition, and he had a feeling that Charlotte might actually like the activity. He couldn’t say why he thought this. The more time he spent in her company, the more he understood her. Although he supposed there was much to learn about her, there would be plenty of time for that in their future. He would gladly spend the rest of his life learning all her secrets and desires.

How much longer must he wait for her to arrive? He brushed his hands through his hair, mussing his locks. The guests were already dispersing. Those that wished to participate in the archery tournament were already heading toward the back lawn. Did the girls at Havenwood know there would be archery? He wasn’t certain what information his mother had given them. Declan should have a conversation with his mother soon. There were a lot of questions he had for her, and he’d avoided her long enough. There was a good chance she would have some questions of her own to ask him. Questions he had no desire to answer. At least, not yet.

He strolled into the game room hoping to find it empty. It wasn’t. But at least the two people currently occupying it were friends. “Amberwood,” Declan nodded at the duke. “Foxmoore.” Both were lounging in chairs and attempting to seem as if nothing bothered them. He knew them too well, though. Something preoccupied them, but what he didn’t know. The furrow in Amberwood’s brow said much.

“Please tell me why you agreed to this infernal house party again,” the duke grumbled. “One of those wretched debutantes thought it would be a good idea to corner me in the breakfast room this morning.” He shuddered. “I’ll give you one guess what I will not do the rest of the time your guests are here.”

“Eat breakfast?” Declan raised a brow. “You cannot skip all the meals. Even you need to food to survive.”

“Very true,” Amberwood agreed. “But I do not need to eat here, now do I?”

Declan laughed. “And where, pray tell, will you take your meals, then?”

“I haven’t worked that part out yet,” the duke admitted. “But I will skip as many as I can. I do not want to be permanently attached to one of these mercenary young ladies while I’m here.”

Declan turned toward Foxmoore. “Are you having a similar time?”

He shrugged. “My reputation precedes me. Some are giving me a second look but haven’t acted on it yet. Not so sure they want to take their chances with a lecherous rake. I may not be gentlemanly enough to actually offer for them once they’re ruined.”

“Interesting,” Declan replied, and then turned toward Amberwood. “Perhaps you should consider sullying your good name.”

“It wouldn’t work,” Amberwood drawled. “The title is too tempting. They all want to be a duchess.” He rolled his eyes. “They don’t much care about the man attached to it.”

Declan knew well how much that statement held truth. He’d been on the receiving end of such lack of care from some of the ladies on the marriage mart. It had been one of the reasons why he avoided most social functions. He understood he would have to marry one day; however, that did not mean he wanted his choice forced upon him. He wanted the liberty of selecting his own wife. “If it is too much...” He sighed. “Of course it is too much. I’ll talk to my mother. She has to rein in her guests’ more scandalous behavior. I told her I would not abide such actions.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. Declan hated house parties for this very reason.

“It will be all right,” Amberwood said, resigned.

“He’s correct,” Foxmoore said amicably. “This is not the first time we’ve had to resist the charms of ladies we did not wish to sample from.”

Amberwood rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t always prevent you from stealing a kiss or several.”

The earl shrugged nonchalantly. “And that is a bad thing?”

Declan chuckled. There were no two men he cared more for than these two. He didn’t know what he’d do without either of them. He depended upon them far too much. “Still,” he said in a thoughtful tone, “I will have a discussion with my mother. There are other gentlemen here as well. If they wish to remain as guests, then everyone needs to respect my wishes.”

Foxmoore leaned forward in his chair. “Now that we’ve settled that, I think we need to discuss the real issue.”

“And what is that?” Declan asked as he sat down. He’d been standing far too long, and he needed to rest. “Is there some other guest issue we need to discuss?” He couldn’t imagine what could be bothering either of them.

“In a matter of speaking,” Foxmoore said. “When are our neighbors going to arrive?”

The earl was interested in the students at Havenwood? Declan frowned. He had seemed to pay a little bit of attention to that one girl. What was her name again? Miss Georgina Williams. Should he warn Foxmoore away from her? He didn’t need any discord with the school or its headmistress. “I suspect they are meant to arrive in time for the archery today.” He tilted his head to the side. “Is there a reason why you want to know?”

“I always have a reason,” he said in a smug tone. “Doesn’t mean I’ll share it.”

“Don’t do anything to upset any of those women,” Declan told him. “Especially if you hope they will return.” Declan would strangle him, friend or no, if he made it impossible for Charlotte to come during the day activities.

“I wouldn’t do anything of the sort.” He held his hand on his chest. “You wound me.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I wouldn’t mind it if they stayed away,” Amberwood said. “I’d be far happier if I never had to see them again.” There was bitterness in his tone as he spoke. Declan had a feeling he knew which lady he did not wish to see, too. Lady Jaclyn... there was discord there.

“Let’s be honest,” Declan said as he met Amberwood’s gaze. “You don’t want to see one of those ladies in particular. Do you wish to discuss the reason why?”

“I’d rather not,” he said. “But you need not worry. I won’t cause any scandal or make anyone wish to stay away. I’ll be... good.” He grated out the last word as if saying it caused him some sort of pain. Declan really wished he knew what had happened between him and Lady Jaclyn. Perhaps one day he’d tell him. For now, he would let his curiosity fall to the wayside.

“Well, this has been... interesting,” he said. Declan couldn’t think of a more appropriate word for their conversation. “But I need to locate my mother and have that discussion. I’ll see you both outside in the next hour for the archery, correct?”

“I’ll be there,” Foxmoore said. “It should be entertaining, at least. Some of those ladies have trouble standing straight. I cannot wait to see them try to shoot an arrow.” He chuckled as if he already imagined the impending disaster. They would have to be careful. Foxmoore made a valid observation. Some of those ladies might be dangerous with a bow and arrow, and not in a good way. Was there a good way? He shook his head.

“How about you, Amberwood?” he asked. He didn’t think that the duke would stay away from the tournament, but he couldn’t be certain. He would not force him to participate either; however, he did want to know what he intended to do.

“I’ll be there,” he replied in a grudging tone. “I’ll even try to be friendly.”

“That’s all I can ask,” he said. He was proud of his two friends. He couldn’t ask for two better people to be by his side in all things.

Declan left the two of them alone in the game room. They would participate in the archery, and that was all that mattered. Now to just find his mother. Soon he’d see Charlotte, and that made the entire house party worth it.

He whistled a little as he strolled down the hall. Declan couldn’t recall ever being this happy. He had been miserable for a long time. That was perhaps why he had been so irritable with Charlotte in the beginning. He hoped that over their time together he’d changed her opinion of him. Their kisses had certainly suggested she liked something about him. He took a deep breath and then went in the direction of the sitting room his mother preferred. Some tasks could not be avoided, and this topped that list.