Page 47 of One Scandal Too Many
Charlotte did like the idea of having the right to see him naked whenever she wished. “I would like the privilege of kissing you whenever I so desire.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “And the seduction you suggested. Definitely that too.”
“Would it be seduction if we’re married?” he asked.
“Oh yes,” she said. “I demand it.” Charlotte lifted her lips to his and kissed him. Declan took over immediately and deepened the kiss. She clutched onto his hair and yanked him closer. That ever-present need thrummed through her. She would never tire of his lips on hers.
He pulled back. “As much as I’d love to continue kissing you, we need to keep moving. I intend to marry you before nightfall.”
“We have time,” she told him. “It’s barely midday. Kiss me again.”
Declan laughed. “So demanding.” But he complied. His lips were on hers before she could say another word. It didn’t last long, though. When he stopped kissing her this time, he lifted her off of his horse and back on to Kallippos. “Now let’s ride on to Scotland.”
She kissed her palm and blew it toward him. “Until later, love.”
He reached up and caught the kiss and patted his chest. “Darling. If only I could save all your sweet kisses. I’d savor them whenever the need arises.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She grinned. “Let’s go get married.”
Charlotte probably should protest a little more. This entire escape had been high-handed of him. But that was one of the things she adored about him. He could be demanding and arrogant, but he could also be sweet and loving. There was not anything about Declan she didn’t like. Even when he frustrated her. Their marriage would be filled with compromises, but she would never doubt his intentions.
“Darling,” he said and then gave her a wicked smile. “I want nothing more than to be your husband.” He flicked the reins on his horse. “Stay by my side, and we shouldn’t have any difficulties.”
She flicked her reins too so that Kallippos knew they were going to keep walking beside Declan. They rode in silence for the rest of the way to the village. When they reached the village Declan stopped at an inn. “Wait here,” he told her. “I’m going to book us a room, and then we will see about our wedding.”
Charlotte did not dismount. There was probably a reason he wanted her to remain there. She perused her surroundings. The village was small, but it had everything that they could possiblyneed. There was a general store, an inn, and a blacksmith. The town was quaint and charming. She liked the idea of marrying Declan there. She didn’t know what they would need to do to get married. Charlotte had never thought much about what an elopement would entail.
Declan came out of the inn and grinned. “Let me help you down.” She slid off of Kallippos and into Declan’s embrace. Now that they had arrived, their wedding was imminent. Excitement filled her at the prospect. “Where will we get married?”
This wasn’t England, and they would not have to wait three weeks for the banns to be read. They didn’t even need a special license to marry immediately. What did a Scottish wedding look like?
*
Anyone in Scotland,as long as they were considered citizens, could act as witnesses to their wedding. Then they would be given a certificate authenticating that wedding. If anyone wanted proof that he took Charlotte’s virginity—well, he’d go back to that cottage and retrieve the blanket they’d made love on. He really hoped that wouldn’t be necessary, but her father sounded as if he would want proof of the marriage’s validity. Declan would not take any chances with his marriage. He would not lose Charlotte. She meant too much to him.
“We will get married here at the inn,” he said. “The innkeeper is making all the arrangements.” Then they would stay at the inn for their wedding night. He still wasn’t sure it would be wise for them to make love so soon. He hadn’t made any decisions in that regard. “I’ve secured us a room. If you would like to, you can stay in there until the ceremony.” Not that it would be much of one. They would just need to make their declarations to wed in front of at least one witness. Declan wanted more than one, though.He didn’t trust the duke would not use his power to make any witnesses detract their testaments of the union.
“I’d rather stay with you,” Charlotte told him. “I will be more anxious on my own.”
He understood that, and he was glad she wanted to remain at his side. Declan would be far more comfortable with her next to him. “Are you hungry?” They hadn’t had much to eat. The leftover bread and cheese hadn’t exactly been satisfying on their journey to Scotland. At least it had only been a matter of hours, not days without a proper meal. “I’ve ordered us a meal. I can have them send it to the dining room.”
“That would be lovely,” Charlotte said. “Let’s eat, and then we will get married.”
Declan laughed. “Yes,” he agreed. “We will.”
They went into the inn’s small dining room. He led her to a table and waited for her to sit. “I’ll be back shortly. I’m going to tell the innkeeper to serve us here. I wasn’t certain if you’d rather eat in the room.”
“All right,” she said, then smiled. “I’ll wait here for you.”
He left her alone to go search for the innkeeper. He was a tall man, at least a decade older than Declan, with long dark hair and deep blue eyes. He found him at the front of the inn speaking to a woman. “Ah, my lord,” he greeted Declan. “This is my wife, Ginerva.” She was a lovely plump woman with dark red hair and mischievous green eyes. He gestured toward Declan. “Dearest, this is Lord Easton. He intends tae wed his lady love here in our inn.”
“Oh, how lovely,” Ginerva said. “Where is the lovely lass?”
“She’s in the dining room,” he told her. “We wish to have our meal there.”
“I can see tae it,” Ginerva said. “Bram is going tae see tae the wedding. Ye want tae have guests to witness yer union?”
“I do,” he said. “The more the merrier.” He wanted plenty of people in attendance so the duke could not attempt to have their marriage invalidated. Charlotte was his and he intended to keep her. “I’ll pay for everything. We can have a feast and a celebration afterward.”
“Aye,” Bram replied. “We can do that.” He turned to Ginerva. “Ye will have ideas.”
