Page 18 of One Scandal Too Many (Havenwood Academy #1)

C harlotte had never had any desire to hunt anything, and that had not changed now that she was actually participating. Chasing down an animal and killing it held no appeal to her. In fact, she wondered why many gentlemen found such a sport entertaining in the least. What she had hoped to gain from this excursion was more time in Declan’s company. He’d ridden a little ahead of her to give the appearance he cared more about the hunt, but he’d told her he would return to her side as soon as he was able to. She hoped he would join her soon. Truthfully, she would rather return to the house for the parlor games now. Riding Kallippos had been fun in the beginning, but now she’d grown tired.

“Not what you thought it would be?” Melisande asked.

She would not roll her eyes. It would only encourage Melisande’s awful behavior. Charlotte had been surprised to discover Melisande had decided to join the hunt as well. Once Miss Spencer had given Charlotte permission to go, it hadn’t been difficult for the other girl to get consent to ride along as well. Where Kallippos was a gorgeous black, Melisande’s horse was pure white. They were in near contrast to each other. The horses complemented each other well in their opposite coloring.

“I did not have any expectations other than being able to have the opportunity to ride,” she told Melisande. That was all she had hoped for. Well, of course, that wasn’t the truth. There was also her desire to be near Declan. She would not tell Melisande that, though. She had her own motivations, and they were probably in direct opposition to Charlotte’s.

Melisande shrugged and laughed. “Balderdash,” she said in a mischievous tone. “No one will actually believe that is the truth.”

“Pardon me?” She stared at Melisande with wide open eyes. What was happening here? What did the other girl know?

“You’re here for a man,” she said.

How could she possibly know that? She’d been so careful. “I don’t know what you mean.” She kept her tone as light as possible. Charlotte could not allow her to realize how close to the truth she had come. Melisande was the type of woman to use information such as that against her. They were not friends, and she would not aid her in any way. Not unless she benefited from it as well.

Melisande met her gaze, then turned away to keep her attention on the path. They were not at a full gallop like the rest of the riders in the hunting party, but they were still keeping a brisk pace. It allowed them to still talk, but not lose too many of the others in their group. “There is only one reason for a lady to join a hunt, and it isn’t to actually chase an animal. We’re on a different sort of pursuit, aren’t we?” She grinned, and that was more impish than Charlotte liked. Melisande had plans of the wicked sort. “We want to trap a man, or at the very least catch their attention. Perhaps you don’t wish to tie yourself to one in marriage.” She turned her head and stared at her for a hard, but brief, moment. “Are you just hoping for a spot of pleasure, then?”

Charlotte swallowed hard. God help her. This woman saw right through her. She didn’t really know what she wanted from Declan. No, that wasn’t entirely true. She did know exactly what she wanted, but she didn’t dare hope for everything. Charlotte had been settling for scraps of his attention and a few delicious kisses. She desired him and had from the very beginning. Not once had she fully believed he would offer for her, though. That was why so far, she’d kept some distance between them. That way, she could honestly say that they had not gone too far, and that one day, when she did marry, she would still go to her new husband a virgin. Not an innocent, though. Declan had already shown her too much to claim that, and she had a feeling there was much more to learn. Charlotte wanted as much as she could with him before she had to walk away and never look back.

“You’re wrong,” she insisted. “That may be why you’re here. Do not color me with your own aspirations. I’m not you.”

“Protest all you want.” Melisande shrugged again. “I’m no fool. The only question is, which one has caught your eye?” She winked. “I’ll tell you which one I find attractive. He might not be my future, but he’ll do for now.”

“I don’t think I want to know.” She definitely wanted to know... what gentleman did Melisande have her sights on?

“I’ll tell you anyway.” Oh, good. She would not have to admit she was curious. She almost laughed but held it in and waited for Melisande to respond. “It’s Lord Kendal.” Melisande licked her lips. “He’s a bit crude, but I like it. Before this house party ends, I will entice a kiss from him.”

“That’s not . . .”

“Do not tell me it isn’t a good idea.” Melisande glared at her. “I can make my own decisions.”

What had happened to her to make her this way? All the girls at Havenwood had been sent there for a reason. She had never asked anyone why they had been admitted to the school. Mostly because she didn’t want to share her own story. But she couldn’t help wondering about Melisande. Perhaps she should befriend her. She seemed to need a friend. One that would help her see there were better choices to make than the ones she was determined to follow through on. The girl seemed determined to follow after Lord Kendal. Though Charlotte couldn’t be certain if the viscount had encouraged her to do so. She was far too brazen in her actions though. She should at least attempt to be more circumspect. What if she kept pursuing Lord Kendal only to have him snub her? Where would that leave her? With a scandal she couldn’t erase so easily. Either way, Charlotte couldn’t do anything at the moment. Whatever she decided to do, it would have to wait until they were not on this hunt.

“I would never attempt to tell you what you should do,” she told Melisande. “But you should at least use discretion. If all you want is a kiss—be careful. It might end up being more than you thought it would be.”

Charlotte knew that better than most. Her heart was all tangled up in Declan now. She didn’t even notice other gentlemen. She wanted him, and him alone. Her father would arrange a marriage for her one day, and she would always think about Declan. It might be the only thing that kept her sane in a loveless union. Did she love Declan? She thought perhaps she might, but what did she know of love?

“What would you know about that?” Melisande lifted a mocking brow. “Have you ever been kissed?” She snorted. “Unlikely.”

Melisande thought she knew Charlotte. Wouldn’t she be surprised to discover how little she understood and that Charlotte had been kissed several times by the Marquess of Easton? She wouldn’t tell her that, though. She didn’t want anyone to know. It was her secret, and she would hold it in her heart forever. “How is that any concern of yours?”

“That is a no, then,” Melisande said almost triumphantly. As if Charlotte had confirmed something she had already known to be true. It was enough to make her hate Melisande. “I don’t know about you,” she began. “But I have a man to claim, and I intend to do so on this hunt.” With those words, she pushed her horse into a gallop and raced toward the gentlemen ahead of them.

Her actions kicked up some debris from the path, and it uncovered something slithering below. Kallippos reared up as the snake raised its head, prepared to strike after it had been startled. Charlotte slipped off her horse and hit the ground, and her head bounced over the hard surface. The snake didn’t bite Kallippos, but not for lack of trying. Instead, it caught Charlotte’s boot between its fangs. She didn’t have much time to think about it before darkness overtook her.

*

Declan slowed his horse to a walk. Melisande had flown by on her horse, and it gave him pause. She had been in the back riding alongside Charlotte. If Melisande had raced to join them, where was Charlotte? Was she alone? Should he hold back and ensure she was all right?

He had far more questions than answers. There was only one thing that he could do. Declan would have to go search for Charlotte himself. The sky had turned dark, and they were due for a storm soon. The hunt was almost over anyway, and he wanted to ensure Charlotte made it back to the house safely. The Havenwood party would have to remain at Easton Abbey until after the storm passed.

The sky grew dark in a matter of moments, a disheartening occurrence that filled him with anxiety. He had to find Charlotte soon before they were caught in the upcoming downpour. He urged his horse down the path, backtracking the way they had already traveled. Trees surrounded him on both sides, making it even darker. In the distance, he noticed Kallippos chewing on some grass, but Charlotte was not on her back. Fear flowed over him in waves. Where had she gone, and why was she not with the mare? He urged his own horse forward until he reached Kallippos. Declan slid out of the saddle and reached for Kallippos’s reins. He secured both horses on a nearby tree branch and walked until he found Charlotte.

She was sprawled on the ground and not moving. Her honey blonde hair had come loose from its simple chignon and fell over her face in unruly waves. He rushed to her side and turned her over to examine her face. There was dirt smudged on her cheek, and she was unconscious. Tension overtook him as he surveyed everything. She was still breathing, so that was a good sign. He would have to set aside the alarm that wanted to take over and do what was best for her. He had to get her back to Easton Abbey, but with the storm coming in, he didn’t think they would make it in time.

He considered his options and what he could do to protect her. What he decided to do would ruin her reputation, but it was the only choice he had. There was a small hunting cabin not far from where they were. When a gamekeeper was hired for Easton Abbey, he usually resided there, but Declan hadn’t had one in a while. The cabin would probably be dusty, but serviceable for their needs. It would keep her out of the inclement weather until he could take her back to Easton Abbey where she’d have better care. He couldn’t risk her catching an illness to make her ailment worse.

Now, how to get her to the cabin as safely as possible? Declan picked her up into his arms and carried her over to the horses. He wanted to put her on the horse, but she might fall off, and he couldn’t mount first. There was nothing else he could do. He would have to carry her to the cabin and then come back for the horses. He would get soaked. The rain was already starting to fall, and he had to move Charlotte as quickly as possible.

He rushed down the path toward the cabin. When he reached it, he opened the door as he juggled Charlotte in his arms. Luckily, the cabin wasn’t locked, making it easy to get inside. He set her down on a settee and ensured she would be comfortable while he retrieved the horses.

Charlotte’s eyelids fluttered open. “Declan?”

“Yes, darling,” he said. “Don’t move. I haven’t had time to examine you for injuries. I’ll be back soon.”

She reached out and clasped her hand to his wrist. “Don’t leave me.” The anxiety in her tone nearly broke his heart. He didn’t want to leave her. Declan would gladly stay with her always, but he had to go back for the horses and some provisions in his saddlebag. He didn’t know how long they would be secluded in the cabin. “I won’t be long,” he told her. “I promise.”

“Please,” she said. “I don’t want to be alone.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What had happened to her? He would have to ask her some questions when he returned. Declan had to make sure she wasn’t seriously injured. Had she fallen off of Kallippos? “I don’t want to leave you, darling.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You will be all right for a little while. I won’t be gone long enough for you to miss me.”

“Promise me,” she demanded.

“I promise,” he said again. She must not have heard him earlier.

“I think I love you,” she said. “I can’t love you.”

His heart skipped a beat. Why couldn’t she love him? He liked the idea of her being in love with him. Especially with his own feelings so tangled up with her. His desire for her was more than he’d ever felt in his entire life. He had a great need to take care of her, and he wanted her to be with him always. Declan wasn’t sure if that was love or not; however, he did know he felt something for her. He hadn’t allowed himself to think too much about what she meant to him.

“We will talk more when I return,” he told her. “Don’t move while I am gone.”

“All right,” she mumbled and closed her eyes again. She sighed and turned over on the settee. Declan studied her for a brief moment and then left the cabin. He had to move the horses as quickly as possible, and he couldn’t afford to stare at her any longer. There would be plenty of time for that later.

Declan went back to retrieve the horses and untied the reins from the branch. He led them back to the cabin and tied them to a post nearby. There was a small shelter over the post that would cover them from some of the rain. He dug into his saddle bag and pulled out a small sack of food he’d brought with him. It was just a chunk of cheese, a loaf of bread, and a small bottle of wine. He had hoped to have a picnic of sorts with Charlotte after the hunt. It appeared he would get his wish, albeit not in the way he had expected.

Once he had the items, he went back inside the cabin. Charlotte was where he’d left her. He searched the cabin and located the tinder box. He put some wood in the hearth and started a fire. The warmth felt good and would help Charlotte as she recovered. He grabbed a blanket and carried it over to the settee and set it down beside her.

Charlotte opened her eyes again and smiled. “You’re back.”

“I promised I would be,” he told her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“Melisande,” she said. “Snake, scared Kallippos.”

“There was a snake?” he asked. That was a concern. Most snakes were harmless, but he didn’t want to risk that the one snake that had a poisonous bite had struck her. Whatever care he gave her would take a different turn then.

“Mmmhmmm,” she mumbled. Her voice was a little shaky as she spoke. “Bit my boot. Hit my head.” Charlotte lifted her hand and rubbed the back of her head as if it would stop whatever ached there.

Declan lifted her skirt and examined her boots. There was a small puncture in the top of her boot. He undid her boot and pulled it free from her foot, and then slowly removed her stocking. He swallowed hard and stared at her ankle. There was a welt there where the snake had managed to break through the leather, but it hadn’t broken through the skin. There wouldn’t be any concern of venom entering her system, though she might be sore. “What kind of snake was it?”

“Adder,” she said. “I think.”

He sighed. Her ankle would need to be wrapped, to help with any swelling. After he was satisfied that she would be all right, he covered her with the quilt. She fell back asleep as he tucked it around her.

The rain had started pounding against the roof. It sounded like a bad storm was brewing and they would be at the cabin for a while. He leaned back against the settee. Now all he could do was wait—for her to wake, and for the storm to ebb. Declan prayed that she would be all right. He couldn’t lose her just when he found her. It was then that he knew for certain. He did love her. At least, he believed it with his entire soul, because the thought of living without her hurt too bloody much.