Page 5 of One Scandal Too Many (Havenwood Academy #1)

S he’d almost gotten away with her little adventure. “Almost” didn’t count though, did it? Of course he had discovered her in his garden. Why was the marquess so bloody gorgeous? She’d never seen a more beautiful man in her entire life. Something about him drew her to him, and she didn’t like it, or perhaps she liked it a little too much.

He was behind her. Shadowing her every step as if she were a child that required supervision. Charlotte might find him attractive, but he didn’t seem to feel the same way about her. Oh, he might like how she looked; however, he clearly disliked her. He’d said pretty words until he had realized she wasn’t a woman he wanted to spend time with. When he recognized her, his entire demeanor had changed. It had aggravated her. She did want him to desire her, and yes, she had hoped he would kiss her. Maybe not that night, but one night soon. How could that be wrong?

“Are you always this quiet?” he asked.

She had no reason to speak to him. Should she even reply? Charlotte gritted her teeth. He had made his feelings known. Would speaking to him change his mind? She doubted it would. Everything came back to one inescapable truth: He didn’t want her, and nothing would alter that. “Only when I have nothing to say.” Her tone was mulish, and she’d sounded like an ill-mannered child. She should have kept her mouth closed.

“I see,” he said in a tone that belied his words.

“Do you?” she mocked him. “Why do you care if I’m quiet? Haven’t you made your intentions clear? You don’t like me. I’m to keep my distance because you find me so distasteful.” Why did that have to hurt so much? She barely knew the Marquess of Easton. What he thought of her should not matter to her.

“I never said I found you distasteful,” he drawled in that husky voice of his. “But that doesn’t mean I wish to spend time with you, either.”

And the disappointment kept hitting her where it hurt most. “I see.” It was her turn to utter inadequate words as if they had any real meaning. “I’m not distasteful, but I’m definitely unworthy of your time.” She stopped and spun around to face him. “Then, pray tell, my lord, why are you following me back to the school? This endeavor seems to be a contradiction of every word you’ve said since we’ve met.”

He breathed in deeply. “You’re too sensitive,” he explained. “I’m following you because anything could happen in these woods and you shouldn’t be alone. Don’t make this out to be something that isn’t true.” The marquess shrugged lightly. “I care about your safety and do not wish for more than that. Do you understand me?”

She nodded a little too vigorously. Charlotte was a charity case for him, nothing more. He had a duty to ensure her safety, and she should quit thinking about what his lips on hers might feel like. She was a ninny, plain and simple. Charlotte turned back around and began walking once more. She kept her attention on the path before her. It was as dark as when she first made the trek, but that was before her eyes were blinded by unshed tears. If she gave in to them, they would start falling freely. She couldn’t allow for him to see how much he’d hurt her. He would only think her a silly female that he had to handle carefully with every encounter. It would be far better to be surly and caustic with him.

“You’re pouting, aren’t you?” he asked.

“No,” she responded. “I do not pout, my lord. There are better things I can do with my time.” Somehow she kept her voice even as she spoke. Those tears wanted to flow freely, but she held back. “And I would rather keep my own counsel and not speak to you more than required.”

“You don’t wish to have a conversation with me?” He chuckled softly. “I’m not worthy of one, is that it?”

“I believe you’re the one that has deemed me unworthy, my lord.” She wanted to be free of him. How much farther was the school, anyway? “I’m a mere girl and not one you wish to notice.”

He mumbled something under his breath she couldn’t quite hear. Had he said something about noticing her more than he should? That perked her up a little. Did he like her more than he implied?

“What did you say?” she asked.

“Nothing of import,” he replied quickly. “We should arrive at the school soon.” He didn’t sound as full of humor as he had before. That made her smile.

“If you wish to return home, I can see myself the rest of the way. I made it to your garden on my own. I think I can manage the trek back to the school.” Charlotte wanted him to leave her alone. Her heart hurt a little, and his nearness wasn’t helping.

“I said I’d see you back to the school, and I intend to do exactly that,” he said in a grating tone. “I keep my word.”

She rolled her eyes. “I never inferred you didn’t.”

“Didn’t you?” He sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Keep moving.”

The marquess was being difficult. Perhaps it was best that he didn’t like her. She didn’t particularly like him at the moment. She had hoped for something more, but he had different wishes. Charlotte couldn’t force him to feel something he didn’t. Besides she had gone to his garden to prove something to herself and to him. She didn’t take orders from the marquess, and never would. Hopefully, he got that message loud and clear.

“Yes, my lord,” she said. Charlotte almost wanted to turn around and salute him like one would a superior officer. He was acting like a general chastising one of his subordinates. For that reason, she’d replied in a tone that mocked his actions. He deserved it. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

“It’s about time that you did,” he grumbled.

She giggled. Charlotte couldn’t keep it from slipping out. Did he actually believe she’d follow his orders? Silly marquess. He had many more lessons to learn, apparently, and she was just the lady to teach them. Perhaps it would be far more fun to spend time in his company than she’d believed. He might find her distasteful, but she found him entertaining. She might even consider sneaking into his garden again. Charlotte may have been caught; however, it hadn’t been entirely unsuccessful. The next time, she’d be better prepared for his surliness and respond in a manner surely to shock him senseless.

*

Declan couldn’t wait until they reached the school. Was she giggling? What the hell did she have to giggle about? He hadn’t said anything humorous. At least, he didn’t think he had. She was going to drive him mad before the night was over.

“Do I even want to know why you’re laughing?” he asked sullenly.

“Probably not,” she told him. “You’re too staid for anything that is actually amusing.”

Did she imply he was too old for her? Had she said that because he referred to her as a girl and not a woman? Declan had to admit that he’d said those words to put her off any designs she might have for him. He didn’t want a wife. No matter how much his mother hoped he would marry. Lady Charlotte was lovely and would make a wonderful wife... to some other man.

And why did that idea bother him so much?

Because he did desire her. Declan could admit that much to himself. That didn’t mean he would give in and take something that he shouldn’t. She was an innocent and should be treated with respect. No man should take what didn’t belong to him. If he touched her, kissed her, he’d want more, and he would have to marry her. The truth was, if he got too close she might be his undoing. “Trust me, darling,” he began. “I’m nothing of the sort.” He wished he could prove that to her, but that would take them down a path they’d best not trek.

“I don’t trust you,” she told him. Lady Charlotte stopped, and he didn’t realize it in time to prevent himself from walking right into her. She stumbled, and he fumbled to catch her before she hit the ground. He failed. She landed on her backside and groaned. “You didn’t need to push me down.”

“I didn’t mean . . .”

“You never intend to do anything, do you?” She glared up at him. “You say a lot of things, but how much is the truth?”

“Every word,” he said in a calm tone. Could she see through the facade he presented to her? Did she realize how much he did desire her? No. She was an innocent and couldn’t possibly know the truth.

She shook her head and started to rise. He reached out to help her, but she pushed his hand away. “I don’t need your assistance.” She stood and brushed dirt off of her cloak. “And I don’t believe you.” Lady Charlotte stepped closer to him. “You’re all bluster. I would wager you do like me.” She licked her lips, and he nearly groaned. Her innocence would destroy his control, and it hung by a thread to begin with.

“Again,” he began. “I never said I don’t like you.”

“You’re correct,” she agreed. “I’m just... not for you.”

He nodded. “Exactly.” Finally, she was beginning to understand.

“Then why do you keep looking at my lips?” She tilted her head to the side. “Do you find them fascinating?”

This time he did groan. She couldn’t be as innocent as he believed if she had caught him in that simple act. Either that or he wasn’t as sly as he believed in hiding his desire. “You’re seeing what you hope to be there. I am not looking at your lips.” Damn it all to hell... he couldn’t actually stop his gaze from roaming toward her luscious lips again.

“You want to kiss me,” she replied. Her tone had gone seductive. Did she do that on purpose? “Don’t you?”

God help him. She was a siren in disguise as a young lady. What kind of trap had he willingly walked into? “Not at all.” Somehow his voice sounded normal as he spoke. Could he keep up the pretense? Please let him be able to keep his hands and lips to himself...

She grinned. “Then you won’t mind if I move a little closer to you.” She took a step toward him. Declan held himself in place. If he retreated, she would know immediately how much she affected him.

“If it helps you to realize the truth,” he began. “Come a little closer, darling. Let me breathe in your sweet scent.”

“Then you can tell me if I’m as lovely as the primrose?” she asked.

He closed his eyes and took several breaths. “The primrose has nothing on your beauty.” She was so near they almost touched. All he had to do was lean down and he could press his lips to hers. It would be so easy.

“I was right then,” she said a little breathlessly. “Kiss me then. Let’s discover the truth together.”

“No,” he said firmly. “We cannot.”

“We can,” she insisted. “Give in, my lord. Kiss me.”

Declan took several breaths, hoping he could resist her. The moon highlighted her beauty, and he lost all control over his desire. He drew her into his arms and leaned down until his mouth slanted above hers, but he didn’t press his lips to hers. There was barely any distance between his lips and her sweetness. She inhaled sharply, and still he didn’t give in and kiss her.

She felt so good in his arms. Her breasts grazed against him, and he wanted to strip her bodice down so he could suck on her pretty nipples. But first he should kiss her and make her soften against him. More than she already had anyway. He remembered then that she was the daughter of a duke. Any impropriety would lead to a marriage he didn’t want.

Declan stepped back and took several deep breaths. “Kissing you would be a grave error.” He closed his eyes and then regained control. He’d almost made a mistake he wouldn’t be able to undo. If he’d actually kissed her... he hadn’t done it though. He’d come to his senses. “Start walking, Lady Charlotte. It’s time for you to return to the school. I don’t have time for your antics any longer.”

She glared at him, but then turned on her heels and stomped toward the school. When they reached Havenwood she didn’t glance back as she sneaked back inside. He was grateful she’d gone back without any more fuss. Slowly, he turned around and headed home. He would definitely need a dip in the pond before returning to his bedchamber. His cock had never been stiffer in his life, and one little vixen had nearly brought him to his knees.