Page 24 of One Scandal Too Many (Havenwood Academy #1)

T he next morning, they packed up and prepared to leave at dawn. They had several hours to ride back to Easton Abbey and wanted an early start. Charlotte planned to send for her things from Havenwood after she settled in at Declan’s home. She would need something else to wear, so some things would need to be sent sooner rather than later. Though perhaps they should stop at the school first. She was ready to change out of her riding gown. It was serviceable but needed laundering. A bath would be lovely too.

She sat on Kallippos and rode next to Declan. They had been traveling for a while, and she wasn’t certain how much longer it would be until they reached home. What a novel concept. She would be going to her new home, and it felt more real than the place she’d grown up in.

“How much longer do you think until we reach Easton Abbey?” she asked.

“Tired of riding already?” he asked. “I suspect another hour. Maybe less.”

“Good.” She smiled at him. “I’m just a little anxious. Do you think we should go to Havenwood first? It might be faster if I packed a couple of my personal items now and had the rest sent over later.”

He tilted his head to the side as if in thought. “You’re probably correct. We can order you some more gowns too, but you’ll need what you have until those are finished.”

“I do not need new gowns. The ones I already have will suffice.”

“Darling,” he drawled. “You are a marchioness now. Trust me. You need more gowns.”

She wrinkled her nose. Charlotte had never been one to follow the dictates of fashion. She sighed. But he was correct. Society would have expectations, and she did not wish to embarrass him. “All right,” she conceded. “I’ll have more gowns made. But I’m not happy about it.”

He laughed, and it filled her with joy to hear it. “I would expect nothing less.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “You know, I much prefer you in nothing at all.”

“As I do you,” she retorted. “But that isn’t exactly practical. We wouldn’t want to scandalize our neighbors or anyone in the ton.” She grinned. “Can you imagine the scandal sheets if we decided to parade around nude?”

“The world couldn’t handle it.” He frowned. “Besides, I do not wish anyone but me to see you without your clothing. That’s my pleasure alone.”

“You win,” she told him. “I don’t much like scandals anyway. They are always unsavory.”

“You never said what scandal sent you to Havenwood,” he said casually. “What horrendous thing did you do that made your father believe you belonged out here?”

Charlotte nibbled on her bottom lip. She never talked about the scandal. Even though it wasn’t truly her scandal. Not that her father saw it that way. It was enough that she had been involved at all. Her brother could do nothing wrong though. He had been the one to participate in it all. Charlotte had only played a small part. She sighed. “It’s ridiculous, really.”

“I will be the judge of that.” He smiled. “We have a little time until we reach Havenwood. You’re correct. We should go there first. Tell me this secret scandal of yours. I promise I’ll never let it slip to anyone else.”

“There was a duel,” she began.

“Over you?” he asked. Shock filled his tone. “How have I never heard of this?”

“Because it wasn’t over me. I was never noticed that much by anyone. I wasn’t even launched into society yet. Afterward, my father sent me to Havenwood and delayed my official debut. He said I needed more polish first and to learn not to become embroiled in such scandalous things as duels.”

“If the duel wasn’t over you, then who did it involve?”

She shrugged. “I do not know what lady it was that they dueled over. All I know is that my brother acted as the second. I think it was between an earl and a duke, but even that I do not know for certain.” She was quiet for several moments as she thought what to say. “My brother was supplying the pistols for the duel. He asked me to sneak into father’s study and steal them for him.”

“That’s all?” He frowned. “You didn’t even go to the duel?”

She shook her head. “I don’t even know where it took place. Warren went to his room for something else he needed. I could not even tell you what it was that he went to retrieve. He was in an awful hurry. It’s the only reason he asked me to sneak into the study and steal father’s pistols. I don’t think he would have involved me at all if he had had a choice.”

Declan clenched his teeth together. The muscles in his cheek twitched. It took him several moments before he could speak. “He had a choice. But he decided it wouldn’t hurt to involve you. Clearly, he miscalculated, or you wouldn’t have been sent to Havenwood.” He sighed. “I want to be angry about that, but how can I? If you hadn’t been sent to the school, we may have never met. It’s a conundrum. Though you will never do anything so reckless again.”

“Declan, love,” she began. “I promise nothing. You know who you married.”

“I do,” he said. “That doesn’t mean I have to blindly accept anything foolish that you decide to partake in.” He leaned down and pressed his lips lightly to hers. “I would like to have a fair warning if you and your friend Jaclyn concoct some harebrained scheme. I will need to be prepared to extricate you from any situation.”

“I can try to do that. But I make no promises,” Charlotte smiled. “It is good you realize that is an eventuality. We do enjoy finding trouble.”

She had so much love for this man. How could she not have fallen in love with him? He was her everything. It was good to tell him about her scandalous behavior. Not that there had been much to be considered scandalous about it. Her father had believed sending her away to school would ensure she would never consider doing anything like that ever again. Her father clearly didn’t know her well. Declan saw her and accepted her. No, he did more than that. He loved her.

They reached the gates of Havenwood, and she frowned. There was a carriage there, and she recognized it. She pulled on Kallippos’s reins. “My father is here.”

“Already?” Declan said. “That cannot be good. How could he possibly have known that you were missing already?”

“The answer is simple. He didn’t.” Charlotte did not like this at all. “He is here for another reason. I’m afraid it will be one that I do not like either.” Her father never did anything unless it benefitted him. She decided while she was at Havenwood that she had to accept he would never truly love her. She was a tool for him to use. Nothing more, nothing less.

“You’re right,” Declan conceded. “We need to face him. There is no time like the present to tell him about our marriage.” He pulled her hand into his and squeezed. “Remember that I love you. We are in this together, you and I. I will not allow him to separate us.”

She smiled. “I know. I love you too. We can make it until the end. We are forever.”

“Yes, we are,” he agreed. “Now let’s go inside. There will be a lot of questions. But there is only one answer we need to give them. We are married. The rest of it they do not need to know. Not even the fact we spent the night in the cottage first.”

“That is just between us,” she agreed. “I won’t say a word.”

They rode their horses up to the front of the house. Declan dismounted and tied his horse to the post, then helped Charlotte off of Kallippos. He tied the mare next to his stallion, and then they walked into Havenwood. They were greeted immediately by one of the instructors. Miss Spencer rushed over to them. “Charlotte,” she exclaimed, then hugged her. “Thank goodness. We were so worried.”

“I’m all right,” she said as she hugged Miss Spencer. “I’m only here to gather a few of my belongings.”

“You cannot leave,” Miss Spencer said. “Your father is here. He’s taking you home.”

“I am not going anywhere with my father.” She stared at Miss Spencer mulishly. Her father’s house would never be her home again.

“I’m afraid that is not your decision,” Miss Spencer said. She glanced at Declan and frowned. “My lord. Were you with Lady Charlotte?”

“I was,” he said. “And you’ll address her as Lady Easton. My wife deserves your respect.”

Miss Spencer frowned. Then nodded slowly. “You eloped. We had wondered where you disappeared to after the hunt. We searched but found no signs of you anywhere. It was suspected you were with the marquess, but we couldn’t be certain.”

“When did my father arrive?”

“About an hour ago,” she said. “He’s not going to be happy.” Miss Spencer wrung her hands together, her anxiety evident as she glanced around them.

“He never is.” The duke was a dictatorial arrogant arse.

“Charlotte,” the duke barked from behind her. “Where have you been, girl?”

Slowly, she turned to meet her father’s gaze. He stared at her as if she were a bug he would squash at the first opportunity. It made her skin feel as if something crawled over it. “Hello, father.”

Declan came to stand by her side. He put his hand at the small of her back to reassure her. “Hello, Your Grace,” he greeted her father.

“And who are you?” the duke demanded.

“I am the Marquess of Easton,” Declan told him. He sounded as authoritative as the duke. That was one thing they had in common. Enough arrogance to spare. He boldly met her father’s gaze and declared, “I am also your daughter’s husband.”

“That is preposterous. I never consented to any marriage.” He motioned toward Charlotte. “I’ll have it annulled once we return to London. That’s why I am here. It’s time for you to meet your fiancé. All the contracts have been signed. You’ll marry properly once the banns are read.”

“No,” Declan said. “An annulment is impossible.”

“Because you soiled her?” The duke laughed. “She doesn’t need to be a virgin. Danderfield will take her as she is. He might even prefer that she was enceinte. He failed to have a child with his previous wife.”

Her father intended her to marry an old man. Of course he did. Charlotte wasn’t even remotely surprised. “What my husband means, father, is there are too many witnesses to our wedding. It can’t be annulled, and we both know a divorce is too expensive to obtain. I’m staying with my husband. I’m married. Nothing you do can change that.” She jutted her chin out in defiance. “Accept it.”

“I accept nothing,” he nearly spat out the words. “You want this scoundrel. Well, you can have him, but he will not get even a shilling of your dowry. I didn’t approve of the marriage. You’re cut off from everything. In fact, I will formally disown you.”

She shrugged. “If that is your wish.”

“You are an ungrateful child. I’m done with you.” Her father pushed past her and nearly knocked her to the floor. Declan caught her before that could happen. She should have been sad that her father didn’t want a relationship with her, but she was glad he’d decided to put up that barrier. Her life would be far easier without having to try to please her father. Charlotte didn’t know why she had even tried before. Clearly, she would never meet his expectations, and she finally accepted that. Her father had never loved her. She was nothing but a tool he could use for his own means.

“I am sorry, darling,” he said. Declan had a pained expression on his face. He hurt for her, and she loved him all the more for it. “Your father...”

“Is not important,” she interrupted him. “We knew he would be like this. It’s done.”

“It was still difficult for you to endure.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. I’d rather you didn’t have to go through it at all.”

She shrugged. “Some things in life are more challenging than others. I’m glad now we can move forward.” Charlotte wanted nothing to do with her father; however, she didn’t know what that meant for her relationship with her brother. Warren was still very important to her.

“Lady Charlotte,” Mrs. Havenwood said. Her lips tilted upward into a congenial smile. “My apologies, I should have said Lady Easton. That will take a bit to become accustomed to. You’ll forgive my slight.”

“Always, Mrs. Havenwood.” She curtsied. She respected the woman too much to do anything less. “If you will accept mine for worrying you while we eloped. It was never my intention to cause you any anxiety.”

“No need for apologies.” Mrs. Havenwood smiled. “I was aware of your decision. Probably before you did.” She leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Your nightly escapades were not as secret as you believed.” She turned toward Declan and grinned even wider. “It was a matter of time before you would elope. Your father’s stance on your potential marriage would have meant nothing less.”

She frowned. “What?” Mrs. Havenwood had known all along that she had sneaked out to meet Declan. How? She had so many questions. She glanced at the headmistress and frowned again. Something told her that she would not be getting any answers. The fact she expected her to elope with Declan baffled her.

Mrs. Havenwood met Declan’s gaze. “See that you take care of her. She is one of my favorite students. Whatever belongings she doesn’t take now, I’ll have delivered to Easton Abbey.”

“Charlotte will be well taken care of. You have my word.” He smiled down at her. “She’s precious to me.”

“That was apparent to me weeks ago.” She waved her hand at Charlotte. “But these things need time to grow. I’m glad to see that you found your way to each other. I wish you both nothing but happiness.”

With those words, she left them alone. Miss Spencer stared after her in shock, but then followed quickly behind the headmistress. Clearly, she wasn’t the only one with questions. Charlotte didn’t believe Miss Spencer would have any more luck finding those answers than she would.

Charlotte blinked several times as she absorbed everything that had happened in a matter of minutes. She turned toward Declan. “I’m stunned.”

“Me as well, darling.” He smiled. “Now go pack a few things. I’m taking you home. Do not dawdle. If your friends wish to speak to you, invite them to visit. I won’t feel comfortable until I have you in Easton Abbey where you belong.”

She laughed and went to do as he ordered. It was one time she had no trouble following his demands. Charlotte wanted to be home with him too. Luckily, Jaclyn and Georgina were not in the room they shared. She would send them a missive inviting them to tea when they returned to the abbey. After she packed a few things in a valise, she joined Declan in the foyer.

They rode back to the abbey in silence, content to just be together. They had a lifetime to explore everything about each other. There was no rush to unravel all their little details. She was going to love him with her whole heart. All the pieces had clicked into place for them. Everything else was minor in comparison.

And she would never not be grateful for what her father believed was one scandal too many. That scandal had led her to Declan. Thank heavens for the scandals of the world. She hoped they led her friends to love as well.

She met Declan’s gaze. His lips tilted upward into that wicked smile she adored so much. “I love you,” she told him.

“I love you more,” he said.

And she laughed. He was perfect for her. Just perfect.