Page 22 of One Scandal Too Many
“Still.” She cleared her throat as she fought her emotions. “You knew I’d still be there.”
“Precisely,” he agreed. “You’re the reason any invitation was given.”
She frowned. “What?” That couldn’t be correct. Why would her being at the school make all the difference? Especially as she had made it clear she did not want to attend any house party at his estate. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I need you to attend,” he said casually. “And I did take your concerns into account. That is why the invitation is for the day activities, and the ball. Have you not looked over the schedule?”
She had. The events all seemed like... fun. He had designed them to tempt her even more. She was certain of it. “That’s not...” Charlotte fought to find the right words. “The events are not the issue.” Why was it so difficult to speak with this man? Was it because he remained so close to her? Why hadn’t he stepped back already?
“Then what, pray tell, are you having difficulty with?” he asked.
Nothing much. Just a failure to breathe. A rapid heartbeat. Oh, and a deep-seated desire to taste his lips and lose herself in his arms. Difficulty? That wasn’t a word she would use to describe her current predicament. It was far more complex than that. He was her potential ruin. “I should go.” She wanted to stay.
“Should you?” He continued to stare into her eyes. “When you just arrived? Stay.”
“Why?” She furrowed her brows. “You told me never to come back.”
“I changed my mind.” He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek ever so lightly. “I like when you visit.”
She swallowed hard. Charlotte hadn’t expected him to welcome her. “I don’t understand.” It was as if the world had flipped around and nothing was what it should be.
“You don’t need to,” he replied huskily. “At least, not yet. We have time.”
“We don’t,” she told him. “I really should go now.”
“Not yet,” he insisted.
Then he did something she didn’t think he would. Especially as he insisted he would never do it. The marquess leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. It was light at first, as if he was testing her. To see if she’d allow him to kiss her or if she would push him away. When she didn’t, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again. She gasped in surprise, and he used her surprise to deepen the kiss. He slid his tongue into her mouth. Charlotte moaned as his tongue danced with hers. Before she knew what was happening, she wrapped her arms around him and was kissing him back. This was far superior to anything she could have ever envisioned. Because it was real and not a fantasy her mind had conjured.
He tasted like brandy and honey. She was addicted to him with one kiss. Charlotte wanted more. This was an exceptionalexperience, and so much more intense than she could ever have imagined. Slowly he lifted his mouth from hers only to press his lips to her cheek. “I couldn’t wait. I should have kissed you that first night. I’ve dreamt of it ever since. Thought of little else...”
Her skin was heated, and she wanted to kiss him again, but she had one clear thought: He wanted her as much as she wanted him. How had she missed that?
*
Declan had hopedshe would visit his garden again even as he realized she was unlikely to do so. Still, he found himself staring out into the garden each night, imagining her there. When she failed to waltz into his garden as if she belonged there, Declan would make himself return to his bedchamber, where he slept fitfully as he dreamed of her each night.
But tonight... she’d come. It was not his imagination. She was there, and in his arms. And she tasted like heaven and wickedness at the same time. He’d finally been able to kiss her and hold her against him. He knew he shouldn’t have, but she was a temptation in the moonlight he could no longer resist.
Declan stopped at that profound kiss. It was something he’d never forget.
“I should escort you back to the school.” His tone was rough as he spoke. Declan’s need for her was there in his voice. In another place and time, he might have carried her to his bed and made love to her all night long. But he had to honor some of the rules regarding respectability and treat her as the innocent she was. Even if he wanted to kiss her again, and fully intended to before the night was done. But he could wait a little longer to have his mouth on hers once more.
“I don’t need you to escort me back.” She tilted her head to the side. Then when he was about to respond, she threw him fora loop by asking, “Why did you kiss me? If I recall correctly, you said your kisses were never sweet, and I needed that from a man. Have you decided you’re what I need?”
She bloody well knew how to disarm him. He would give her that. “I haven’t decided anything,” he told her. Which was the truth. Declan didn’t know what he felt for this woman. She confused him at every turn. The only thing he understood with any certainty was that he desired her. He wanted to kiss her; therefore, he did. “Do not give any credence to that kiss. It was just a kiss, darling, nothing more. I won’t be asking for your hand in the morning.”
“As if I’d accept it,” she scoffed. “You’re an arse. At least nothing has changed in that regard.”
He chuckled softly. Declan did like her. Not that he’d tell her that. It might give her ideas. “Why are you here, really? You could have spoken with me at the soiree tomorrow.”
“I haven’t decided if I am attending the soiree,” she told him. “School seems more appealing.”
That wouldn’t do. Not at all. He would have to convince her to attend. What would make her more likely to come with the other students? He held out his hand to her and would consider his options as he escorted her back. “Come, darling,” he said. “It’s time for you to return where you belong.”
She glared at him, but she allowed him to take her hand and tuck in against his arm. Declan considered that to be progress. They started walking, but he stopped briefly and plucked a primrose. He tucked it behind her ear. “It’s almost as pretty as you are,” he told her.
Charlotte frowned. “Why are you being so nice?”
