Page 17 of One Scandal Too Many (Havenwood Academy #1)

C harlotte and the rest of the students at Havenwood were getting ready to walk over to the house party for the day. There was an early morning hunt that they could participate in, but that was designed more for the gentlemen attending than the ladies. However, Charlotte intended on joining the hunt. She had never learned to shoot a rifle, but she could still ride along. The thrill of the chase would have to be enough. Besides, Declan had to participate in the hunt, and it would potentially give them more time together. Surely, there were other ladies willing to ride with them as well. Maybe some of them even wanted to go for other reasons—like hunting. She would never suggest that they went for any other reason.

“We are walking to the Easton estate awfully early today,” Melisande grumbled. “What if I would rather stay behind?”

“If you really feel that way,” Mrs. Havenwood began, “then you may certainly remain at the school. I’m certain there is something else we can find for you to do today. Perhaps Miss Abernathy can arrange a literature lesson catered to your needs.”

Melisande wrinkled her nose. Charlotte barely held back a laugh. She did not know her well, but everyone knew she hated books and reading in general. Melisande didn’t particularly want to learn anything. She would rather play the pianoforte or do needlepoint. “All right. I’ll go.” She didn’t sound happy with that decision; however, it was the only one she could have made. Melisande would not have chosen reading over socializing. Even if she found both distasteful.

“Is everyone ready to depart?” Mrs. Havenwood asked.

Everyone nodded.

“Very well,” Mrs. Havenwood said. “Girls, walk with your assigned chaperone.” She met Miss Spencer’s gaze. The headmistress hadn’t liked that Miss Spencer had lost her two charges the previous day during the archery tournament. Charlotte still wasn’t certain where Jaclyn had gone, but Miss Spencer had found Charlotte right away. She’d told Charlotte to remain at the tournament while she searched for Jaclyn. By the end of the archery contest, she had returned with Jaclyn by her side—neither of them looking pleased. Jaclyn had refused to discuss it, so something had happened, and she doubted it was pleasant.

Charlotte and Jaclyn fell into step beside Miss Spencer. Jaclyn kept her gaze forward. She wasn’t ignoring Charlotte, exactly, but it was a near thing. It was evident to her that Jaclyn didn’t wish to discuss anything, and it bothered her. It shouldn’t; however, she could not help feeling slighted. Not that Charlotte was ready to tell Jaclyn her own news. It was still too uncertain for her to put words into explaining it. She did not understand her own feelings, let alone Declan’s.

It didn’t take them long to reach the estate. When they arrived, there was a servant there to greet them. “Welcome,” the footman said. “Those that wish to join the hunt can follow Andersen here over to the stables to select a horse.” He gestured toward a stable hand waiting for them. “Everyone else can go inside. There are parlor games set up for everyone to play this morning. A meal will be served after.”

Charlotte turned to Miss Spencer. “I don’t wish to go inside.”

“You want to go on the hunt?” Miss Spencer frowned. “I do not think that is wise.”

“Let her go,” Jaclyn said. “Nothing terrible is likely to happen. They’ll be on horseback. What could go wrong?” Why did that not sound reassuring? It was almost as if Jaclyn had ensured with her careless statement something would happen. Anything could happen in any situation. Still, Charlotte had no intention of staying behind, and if Jaclyn’s statement aided her in that endeavor she’d be thankful for it.

“But...” Miss Spencer glanced back at Mrs. Havenwood, then turned back to Charlotte. “Are you certain? A hunt isn’t usually something a lady wishes to participate in.”

Charlotte shrugged. “I don’t wish to go for the hunt. That holds no appeal for me. What I want is to ride. It’s been a while, and I do not know when I’ll get another opportunity.” That wasn’t a complete lie. She really had no desire to hunt. “And I don’t know how to shoot a rifle. I’m much better with a bow and arrow.” Charlotte hadn’t won the tournament the previous day, but her personal tournament with Declan had been far better. That prize she’d collect from him at her leisure. She still had not decided on what boon she’d ask from him. The afternoon with Declan had been more than worth her time in every way. She enjoyed his company and looked forward to more time with him.

“All right,” Miss Spencer conceded. “But I expect you to be on your best behavior. I’ve already been chastised once for shirking my duties as a chaperone.” She sighed and turned to Jaclyn. “I don’t suppose you would rather go on the hunt.”

“Not in the least,” she said. “Parlor games are a much safer choice. You were not the only one lectured yesterday.”

Charlotte barely refrained from clapping her hands in excitement. It was best not to test her luck. She had already gained Miss Spencer’s approval to attend the hunt. That was all she needed, and she couldn’t wait to go pick out a horse to ride. “Thank you,” she told Miss Spencer. “I promise I will not do anything to disappoint you.” She fully intended to keep that promise too. Charlotte wanted to be able to spend as much time as possible with Declan.

“Go before I change my mind,” Miss Spencer said. “Come find me as soon as you return. I expect you to join us for the meal this afternoon.”

“I will,” she assured her. Charlotte smiled and then glanced at Jaclyn. There was something shadowing her gaze. She would have to make Jaclyn talk about what bothered her later. It was time to stop avoiding that uncomfortable conversation. “Have a lovely morning of parlor games.”

Jaclyn nodded. “I intend it to be a wonderful time. I’ll miss having you there. But go ride. I know how much you love it.”

Charlotte took a deep breath. She was a little reluctant to leave her friend alone. Slowly, she turned and walked over to the stable hand. She was the only one that went with him. Once there, she roamed through the stables looking at the horses. They were all so lovely.

“Does one of them catch your attention?” Declan asked from behind her.

She smiled at the sound of his voice. This was why she’d wanted to go on the hunt. Charlotte had thought he might try to dissuade her from riding with them, but he’d surprised her instead. His encouragement was a balm to her soul. No one seemed to believe in her capabilities more than this gentleman did.

“They’re all gorgeous,” she told him. Charlotte turned around to face him. “They’re your horses. Which one do you think I should ride today?”

He glanced down at her. His gaze held something warm and delectable in it. She licked her lips and wished she could ask him to kiss her, but there were too many people around. “That’s enough of that,” he said in a husky tone. “You’re a temptation I have difficulty resisting.”

“That’s too bad,” she replied. Her own tone held a hoarseness that she couldn’t hold back. “I like it when you capitulate to your desire for me.”

He groaned and clenched his hands into tight fists as if he was barely restraining himself. “I’d pull you into my arms if I could.” He leaned down and said softly, “and I do intend to do just that—later.”

“I look forward to it,” she told him, breathless.

*

This woman. .. God help him. It wasn’t the first or probably the last time he’d sent up that silent prayer. He was starting to understand her, and he liked everything he had learned. Instead of giving in to the temptation to press his lips to hers, he took several breaths to regain control. “Until later, then.” He glanced past her. “As to a horse...”

She glanced in the direction he’d motioned toward with his hand. The mare he had selected for her pushed its nose in her direction. The horse had a coat of jet black, with a white mane mixed with silver. “That is Kallippos,” he told her.

Charlotte frowned. “That is a little on the nose, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” He held back a grin and waited for her to respond.

“Greek,” she replied nonchalantly. “Beautiful horse.”

“I wasn’t aware you knew about the meanings of Greek words,” he told her. “Is that a normal thing for a lady to have learned?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know it isn’t.” Charlotte stroked Kallippos’s mane. “One of our instructors likes to teach us obscure things. Well, I’m not sure that’s the right term for it.” She sighed. “She teaches us things that no one else will. We haven’t learned all things Greek,” she began. “It’s more like she’ll pick a topic for the day and teach us a little of that one thing. We happened to discuss horses one day, and we learned different words that had ‘horse’ as part of the meaning.”

“Such as?” He lifted a brow. “What is another word you learned?”

He was testing her. Declan couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t wait for her to expand on this topic. It gave them something else to concentrate on other than what they both wanted. He prayed he would be able to find some time with her alone later. It had been far too long since he’d last kissed her. One day, he hoped to never have to hold back that desire. He would never be good enough for her, but he no longer cared. He wanted her, and that was all he cared about now.

“Like . . .” She crinkled her forehead as she concentrated. “Let’s see . . . um, Caballus.”

“Latin,” he said. “Or, well, a version of it. That’s not the classical version of the language.”

“Correct.” She grinned. “But I liked how that one sounded better.”

He nodded. Declan had to agree with her. It had a nicer ring to it than equus, the classical version of the word for horse in Latin. “Well?” He lifted a brow. “Do you wish to ride Kallippos here?”

“I do,” Charlotte agreed. “Should I tell a stable hand to saddle her for me?”

“I’ll do it,” he told her. “Wait here. I’ll return shortly.”

Declan left her alone to go in search of one of the stable hands. He couldn’t believe she wanted to join the hunt. It might give them the perfect opportunity to break away from the group and find some time alone together. No one would think anything of it. A lot of times riders didn’t keep up with the hunt. He could care less about the hunt itself. This morning had everything to do with Charlotte. She was his end and his beginning for all of the plans he had made. He was ready to give all of himself to her, but he had to be certain she was prepared for what that meant.

Once he had told a stable hand to prepare Kallippos, he returned to Charlotte. She was still stroking the horse and making cooing noises. “You’re a beautiful girl, aren’t you?” she said.

“You’re beautiful,” he told her.

She blushed. “You don’t have to keep saying that.”

“I only speak the truth,” he told her. “You will always have that from me.”

“No sweet talk for you?” She frowned. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Shouldn’t I be?” He lifted a brow. “Do you want me to be unpleasant?”

“Not at all,” she said quickly. “It’s just that...” Charlotte sighed. “I feel as if none of this is real. You were unpleasant in the beginning. I am having trouble understanding what is happening with you.” Charlotte ran her hand over Kallippos. “It’s... unsettling.”

“I thought we had already discussed this.” Hadn’t they? Hell, he couldn’t really remember. All Declan could think about was the feel of his lips over hers.

“Perhaps we did,” she said. “I cannot recall exactly. As I said, it’s been unsettling, and I want to understand this.” She motioned between them. “Without kisses muddling my thoughts.”

Declan understood that. Some of the conversations they’d had were a little fuzzy in his own memory. “You’re right,” he said. “We should have a frank conversation.” He glanced around them. “But not here. There are too many individuals that could overhear us speaking, and I’d rather not give gossip to anyone to spread.” He frowned. “We have already said far too much in the open.”

He wanted to tell her the truth. Declan needed her to know exactly what he wanted with her. He also hoped that she would want to be with him just as much. There was so much they had to discuss, and there never seemed to be a good time to have that conversation. He would have to tell her everything, and soon.

“If you’ll pardon me, my lord, my lady,” a stable hand said, interrupting them. “I’ll take Kallippos out and saddle her for Lady Charlotte.”

“Very well,” Declan said and led Charlotte away. “We will meet you outside the stables. Have my horse readied for me as well. I will ride along with Lady Charlotte on the hunt.”

“Yes, my lord,” he said and led Kallippos out of her stall.

Declan took Charlotte’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm and led her out of the stable. The stable hand would lead the horse to a mounting block for her. He glanced down at her skirts. “Are you going to be able to ride in that gown?”

She grinned. “There is a split in the middle.” She showed him. It was designed like pants in a way, but it looked like a skirt when she walked. The overlay pulled apart and revealed a skirt that was separated into two, each wrapping around a leg individually. It was a neat design.

“Good,” he said. “I want you to be safe as you ride.”

“I had them designed when my father wanted to forbid me to ride. He thinks side saddle is too dangerous and wouldn’t allow me to learn to ride at first.” She sighed. “And some riding costumes he also deemed unladylike. This was our compromise.”

“Side saddle is dangerous. A lady cannot get a proper seat.” He frowned. “I’m glad you found a way to learn and be safe.” Ladies’ garments were not always cohesive for riding, though some were better than others.

“Me too,” she said. “I do love riding.”

The stable hand brought Kallippos out to the mounting block. Declan helped her on to her horse and then waited for his own to be brought out. Once he was on his horse, they rode together to join the hunting party. They would begin the hunt soon. Declan couldn’t wait, because that meant soon, he would have Charlotte all to himself. He was also glad to see some other ladies had decided to join. That meant Charlotte would not be the only lady and catch anyone else’s attention for her decision.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She would be his. There was nothing he was more certain about, and it should have terrified him. Instead, he felt exhilarated. He had never wanted anything more than Charlotte. He promised he would never take anything for granted, and she would always know how much he adored her. Declan just had to convince her that she belonged with him. It sounded simple enough, but he knew better. Nothing would ever be simple where his Charlotte was concerned.