Page 8 of One Scandal Too Many
“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.
Chapter Five
The library atHavenwood Academy was extensive. Each bookcase was a rich oak with cherubs carved on the top and along the sides with lion paws for feet. Each bookcase had several shelves that were so high they nearly reached the ceiling. There was a rolling ladder that could be moved around the stacks with ease. The carpet in the library was a rich navy brocade trimmed with gold, and the walls had been painted in similar shades. Charlotte adored the library. If she had to spend time indoors, she would prefer to be surrounded by books.
She needed a distraction and thought the library would provide it. So far it had not gone as she had hoped. The book she had chosen hadn’t been able to hold her attention. It frustrated her that she could not concentrate on anything. Why did she have to be so fascinated with a man who appeared to believe her beneath his notice?
Three days had passed since Charlotte’s excursion into the marquess’s garden. She had thought about that night repeatedly, and could not shake it from her mind. He had wanted to kiss her. Nothing could convince her otherwise. She did not know why he had decided against it, but she’d been disappointed when he hadn’t actually pressed his lips to hers. What would it take to have that man give in and kiss her? Charlotte was determined to discover what his kiss would be like. She had a feeling it would be as decadent as the man himself.
“Have you actually read a word, or are you hoping that you will be able to absorb the story by staring at the page long enough?” Jaclyn asked her. Her lips twitched a little as if she fought a smile. Knowing Jaclyn as she did, Charlotte didn’t doubt for one minute that her friend wanted to laugh. She didn’t know what held her back, though. Usually nothing kept Jaclyn from doing as she wished, damn the consequences. Charlotte actually admired her for that. She wished she could be as brave as Jaclyn. Not that she didn’t have her own acts of defiance... Jaclyn encouraged her to give in to those often, and when she did, it was amazing.
Charlotte sighed. “I haven’t read a word,” she admitted. It was time to give up on the attempt and close the book.
“Is it not to your liking?” Jaclyn asked. She gestured to the many shelves in the room. “Because you can always make a different selection. Something in this room has to appeal to your needs.”
“This is true,” Charlotte agreed. “However, it isn’t the book’s fault I cannot appreciate it. I’m afraid there is something else pressing my thoughts for its attention.” Should she tell Jaclyn about her altercation with the marquess? Jaclyn would never judge her for her actions, but Charlotte wasn’t certain she wanted to discuss what had happened yet.
“What is troubling you?” Jaclyn frowned. “Is it what happened in the woods?”
Charlotte nearly swallowed her own tongue at Jaclyn’s question. How had she known? She gaped at her friend as if she were somehow a foreign entity. “Pardon?” She didn’t know what to say. How could she even begin to explain what had happened, and how had Jaclyn learned of her actions?
Jaclyn blew out a breath. “I should never have encouraged you to walk with me. I had my own reasons for wanting to go to the pond.” She glanced away. “Though I must admit I neverexpected we would stumble onto the sight we witnessed.” Her cheeks turned a lovely pink. Charlotte had never seen Jaclyn blush before. Had she been embarrassed by the marquess’s nudity? The other two gentlemen had never fully undressed. “And then we got in trouble... I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t do anything I regret,” Charlotte reassured her. “You did not force me to walk with you. I willingly went along with you because I wanted to meander through the woods with you.” She shrugged. “Besides,” she began. “How could I ever forget such a sight?” She waved her hand over her face as her own cheeks heated. “It was quite memorable.”
“Indeed.” Jaclyn giggled and then fanned her own cheeks with her hand. “Such a fine sight indeed.” She started to laugh harder. “I wonder if the marquess was embarrassed we saw him naked. He didn’t seem too happy that we were there.”
