Page 23 of One Scandal Too Many
“I’m never nice,” he insisted. “But I can be pleasant on occasion. You happened to visit on a night when I feel a little ambivalent. Don’t worry,” he said in a mirthful tone. “Tomorrow I might be grumpier. Just for you.”
They began walking again, and she was silent, but not for long. “I don’t trust this,” she finally said. “It’s not what I’ve come to expect from you.”
“Everyone has different facets about them, darling,” he told her. “Even you. Why would you think I don’t have, shall we say, a softer side to me?”
She shrugged. “If I were to be honest, I hadn’t really thought about it much.”
“You should,” he said. “It is not very considerate of you to think of a person in such limited means.”
They continued their path toward the school, and before he realized, they reached the edge of the pond. The very spot where he’d first caught a glimpse of her, and she most likely saw more of him than she had planned. He could not regret that day. It led him to her, after all, and she was the most interesting female of his acquaintance.
He stopped at the pond because he wanted that moment to reminisce, more than anything. The pond had a deeper meaning to him now. Declan grinned as those memories came flooding back. When he had first seen her, his first reaction had not been amusement. Now he had a certain fondness at the idea of her spying on him and his friends.
“I should probably apologize for that day,” she said, bringing him back to the present.
“But you’re not going to,” he guessed.
“I’m not,” she said, then grinned. “I regret nothing.”
He laughed then. “You’re too brazen for your own good, darling.” Declan wanted to kiss her again right there. He restrained himself from taking her into his arms, barely. Another kiss would have to wait. He had to see her back to Havenwood before she was missed. “We’ve dawdled too long already here. Let’s get you back to the school.”
They traveled in silence for several moments. He still didn’t know what to say to her to entice her to attend the soiree. He had to give her a reason or she might stay at the school. But what would make her want to attend? It should probably be her idea, or what she thought to be, anyway. They reached the edge of the forest that would open up onto the school grounds. He stopped and turned to her.
“I wanted to say something before you go back inside.” He had to handle this carefully. Something he wasn’t so certain he was capable of doing. Declan would definitely do something he shouldn’t. He wouldn’t be the man he was if he didn’t.
“Oh?” She tilted her head to the side. “And what is that?”
Declan stared down at her, and he decided on a different tactic altogether. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. There was nothing sweet in this kiss. He’d been almost tender with her the first time, sensing that was what she had needed. This time the kiss was about passion and need, and everything he desired from her and with her. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, not asking for permission. He just took, and she melted against him. The kiss had a ferocity that nearly undid him. She matched him with each stroke of her tongue against his. Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck, and her fingers tangled in his hair. She yanked him closer and demanded more from him. He gladly gave it to her.
If he didn’t stop the kiss, it would go too far. He wanted it to. Desperately. But he would not take her in the grass outside of her school. If they ever found themselves enraptured with each other again, he would find the nearest bed and make slow, fervent love to her. He wanted to have the whole night to kiss every inch of her and bring her to completion in such a way she’d never want any other man except him. He lifted his head and stared down at her.
Her eyes were closed, and her lips parted. They were plump from his demanding kisses. It made him want to dip down and taste them once more. Instead, he stroked his hand over her back and then down lower to cup her arse in the palms of his hands. She gasped as he pulled her against his hardness. “You drive me mad, darling,” he said. “If you’re too afraid of what this means, then you should stay away. Not a night goes by when I do not imagine you in my bed.” He brushed his lips against hers in a brief, almost too-light kiss. “So run scared. Stay away and protect yourself from me. Because I promise you that if you do attend the soiree or any of the events over the next sennight, that will happen. You will be mine.”
He let her go, and she stared at him in astonishment. “You mean that?”
“I do,” he insisted. Then he lifted his lips up into a sinful smile. “And you’ll enjoy every second of it.”
Perhaps he had said too much. Declan hoped not. He wanted to dare her to come closer, and she was a hellion enough to meet his demands. She would come. He’d wager on it. “Until tomorrow, darling” He started to leave, then turned to her. “One more thing.”
“What?” she asked. Her eyes filled with longing as she met his gaze. Declan shared that same desire with her, and he hoped to fulfill it one day soon. There was something unidentifiable between them.
“Call me Declan. You should know my name for when we’re in bed together.” With those words he turned and left her alone outside of the school. He would see her again, and soon. He smiled as he headed back home. He’d have erotic dreams that night. Especially since he had some experience to fill in some of those gaps from his previous ones. He couldn’t wait. Hell, he couldn’t wait for the woman herself to be in his bed. He believed more than before that she would be there. Hopefully, one daysoon... Declan no longer cared it meant marriage if he lured her into his bed. So be it. When the time came, he would accept that outcome if need be. After all, he had to marry sometime. Why not tie himself to the one woman that tempted him beyond all reason? There were definitely worse fates to accept.
Chapter Eleven
It was abeautiful sunny day, one that made Charlotte warm all over and her heart sing with joy. She could just close her eyes, take a deep breath, and let that contentedness flow over her. And on any other gorgeous warm day she might have. Today was entirely different. They were to go over to the Easton estate for this soiree the dowager marchioness planned as the official beginning of the house party.
Charlotte still had reservations about attending. Going over to speak with the marquess had not alleviated any of those concerns. They had in fact grown after that visit. Those kisses had changed everything, and in some ways nothing. She had wanted his kiss. Had craved it. Now that she’d experienced it, she desired far more from him, and the rogue knew it. His parting words... she shivered in remembrance. His name was Declan. He’d told her with one sole purpose in mind. He wanted her to have it ready on her tongue when he made love to her. The scoundrel expected she would join him there. Willingly. Not that he would ever force her there... but still, the gall of him.
And of course he might very well be correct in his assumption.
Her curiosity could very well be her undoing. It would lead to her complete and utter ruination. If she did give in to her desires and allow herself to be led astray, and if her actions were discovered by, well, anyone, then the scandal would be one shecould never live down. Her previous scandalous activity didn’t hold any weight when considering this potential one.
“You’re not ready,” Georgina said. She had walked into the room they shared, and Charlotte had been so lost in her own thoughts she hadn’t heard her.
“I’m mostly ready,” Charlotte countered. She smiled at Georgina. “I finished my coiffure.” She tapped her head. “Wouldn’t want my hair to be out of place at this soiree.”
Georgina’s lips twitched. The girl was becoming more and more confident each day that passed. Charlotte was pleased with her progress, especially as they could not be always with her. It was miraculous how much more self-assured Georgina had come to be in only a few short weeks. “You look beautiful,” she said softly. “As always.” She sat on the bed and met Charlotte’s gaze. “Why don’t you wish to go?”
