Page 31 of One Scandal Too Many
“Where is Melisande?” Mrs. Havenwood asked, then sighed. “Miss Abernathy, could you please go fetch the girl?” The teacher nodded and went toward the stairs. Mrs. Havenwood turnedtoward them. “I’ve decided we are going to keep the same chaperones with the same students each day we attend. That will keep everything simple. I’ve already discussed this with the staff. Once Miss Abernathy returns with Melisande, we will depart.”
It did not take long. The girl didn’t look happy. She did not seem to want to attend any more than Charlotte or Jaclyn did, and Melisande was far more belligerent than Charlotte. Well, Charlotte had no real reason to be contentious about going. She was more nervous than anything. It made her wonder why Melisande was so opposed to attending. Perhaps it was time to become more acquainted with her...
*
Declan had barelyslept the night before, and yet, he had never been more invigorated in his life. He could not wait for the Havenwood entourage to arrive. His mother had planned an archery competition, and he had a feeling that Charlotte might actually like the activity. He couldn’t say why he thought this. The more time he spent in her company, the more he understood her. Although he supposed there was much to learn about her, there would be plenty of time for that in their future. He would gladly spend the rest of his life learning all her secrets and desires.
How much longer must he wait for her to arrive? He brushed his hands through his hair, mussing his locks. The guests were already dispersing. Those that wished to participate in the archery tournament were already heading toward the back lawn. Did the girls at Havenwood know there would be archery? He wasn’t certain what information his mother had given them. Declan should have a conversation with his mother soon. There were a lot of questions he had for her, and he’d avoided her long enough. There was a good chance she would have somequestions of her own to ask him. Questions he had no desire to answer. At least, not yet.
He strolled into the game room hoping to find it empty. It wasn’t. But at least the two people currently occupying it were friends. “Amberwood,” Declan nodded at the duke. “Foxmoore.” Both were lounging in chairs and attempting to seem as if nothing bothered them. He knew them too well, though. Something preoccupied them, but what he didn’t know. The furrow in Amberwood’s brow said much.
“Please tell me why you agreed to this infernal house party again,” the duke grumbled. “One of those wretched debutantes thought it would be a good idea to corner me in the breakfast room this morning.” He shuddered. “I’ll give you one guess what I will not do the rest of the time your guests are here.”
“Eat breakfast?” Declan raised a brow. “You cannot skip all the meals. Even you need to food to survive.”
“Very true,” Amberwood agreed. “But I do not need to eat here, now do I?”
Declan laughed. “And where, pray tell, will you take your meals, then?”
“I haven’t worked that part out yet,” the duke admitted. “But I will skip as many as I can. I do not want to be permanently attached to one of these mercenary young ladies while I’m here.”
Declan turned toward Foxmoore. “Are you having a similar time?”
He shrugged. “My reputation precedes me. Some are giving me a second look but haven’t acted on it yet. Not so sure they want to take their chances with a lecherous rake. I may not be gentlemanly enough to actually offer for them once they’re ruined.”
“Interesting,” Declan replied, and then turned toward Amberwood. “Perhaps you should consider sullying your good name.”
“It wouldn’t work,” Amberwood drawled. “The title is too tempting. They all want to be a duchess.” He rolled his eyes. “They don’t much care about the man attached to it.”
Declan knew well how much that statement held truth. He’d been on the receiving end of such lack of care from some of the ladies on the marriage mart. It had been one of the reasons why he avoided most social functions. He understood he would have to marry one day; however, that did not mean he wanted his choice forced upon him. He wanted the liberty of selecting his own wife. “If it is too much...” He sighed. “Of course it is too much. I’ll talk to my mother. She has to rein in her guests’ more scandalous behavior. I told her I would not abide such actions.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. Declan hated house parties for this very reason.
“It will be all right,” Amberwood said, resigned.
“He’s correct,” Foxmoore said amicably. “This is not the first time we’ve had to resist the charms of ladies we did not wish to sample from.”
Amberwood rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t always prevent you from stealing a kiss or several.”
The earl shrugged nonchalantly. “And that is a bad thing?”
Declan chuckled. There were no two men he cared more for than these two. He didn’t know what he’d do without either of them. He depended upon them far too much. “Still,” he said in a thoughtful tone, “I will have a discussion with my mother. There are other gentlemen here as well. If they wish to remain as guests, then everyone needs to respect my wishes.”
Foxmoore leaned forward in his chair. “Now that we’ve settled that, I think we need to discuss the real issue.”
“And what is that?” Declan asked as he sat down. He’d been standing far too long, and he needed to rest. “Is there some other guest issue we need to discuss?” He couldn’t imagine what could be bothering either of them.
“In a matter of speaking,” Foxmoore said. “When are our neighbors going to arrive?”
The earl was interested in the students at Havenwood? Declan frowned. He had seemed to pay a little bit of attention to that one girl. What was her name again? Miss Georgina Williams. Should he warn Foxmoore away from her? He didn’t need any discord with the school or its headmistress. “I suspect they are meant to arrive in time for the archery today.” He tilted his head to the side. “Is there a reason why you want to know?”
“I always have a reason,” he said in a smug tone. “Doesn’t mean I’ll share it.”
“Don’t do anything to upset any of those women,” Declan told him. “Especially if you hope they will return.” Declan would strangle him, friend or no, if he made it impossible for Charlotte to come during the day activities.
“I wouldn’t do anything of the sort.” He held his hand on his chest. “You wound me.”
“That’s impossible.”
“I wouldn’t mind it if they stayed away,” Amberwood said. “I’d be far happier if I never had to see them again.” There was bitterness in his tone as he spoke. Declan had a feeling he knew which lady he did not wish to see, too. Lady Jaclyn... there was discord there.
