Laughter echoed throughout the room as both of his friends gave in to their amusement. He glared at both of them. They had no idea what it was like to have a mother like his. She was a test on his patience just by breathing.
“She’s never been difficult with me,” Foxmoore said. “Though I am not her son, so perhaps this is the missing ingredient in our exchanges.”
He rolled his eyes. “Well, my mother does wish to have a house party,” Declan announced. “I could tell her to start planning it and add your mother to the guest list.” He met Foxmoore’s gaze. “I’m sure she would be happy to make the addition. Your mother is a gift.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Foxmoore said with an edge to his tone. He didn’t like the idea of his mother being near any more than Declan did.
“I’d dare much, as you know.” He lifted his brandy and took a long draw. “I’d invite both of your mothers if it suited my purposes.” He grinned. “Lucky for the two of you, it does not. As I would rather poke my eye out than agree to a house party.”
Amberwood’s lips tilted upward. “Are you certain?” He went over and poured himself another spot of brandy and took a sip. “Because it would give you a reason to invite those marriage-minded misses at that unfortunate school nearby. You could have your pick from the scraps of society.”
And just like that, the image of Charlotte entered his mind. He didn’t consider her a castoff. He didn’t understand why her family had sent her to the finishing school. What could she have done to deserve that sort of exile? Perhaps he’d ask her the next time they spoke. He hadn’t really thought about that before. He’d told her to stay away, and so far she had. Declan was a little disappointed and wasn’t ashamed to admit that to himself. There would come a time when they spoke again—he’d ensure it. Because he was bloody obsessed with the chit now.
“I don’t need to invite those ladies to attend anything.” He glared at Amberwood. “That would be like welcoming trouble into my home. Who would willingly do that?” Only him... for one brazen woman he wanted desperately, but knew he shouldn’t.
The duke shrugged. “It was just a thought.” He had an absentminded expression on his face, and suddenly Declan wondered if this was about him or Amberwood’s interests.
“If you want me to,” he said in a devilish tone, “I can have that house party. I would hate to disappoint my two dearest friends. Just say the word, and I can have my mother begin the planning.” He frowned. “Hell, if I know my mother, she’s already started and is going forward with it hoping she’ll convince me it is in my best interest to have that blasted party.”
He cursed inwardly. Damn it all. Declan was going to have to talk to his mother again. He just knew this was going to be a horrid conversation too.
“Do not bother on our account,” Foxmoore said. “I’d rather not have to deal with marriage-minded misses.” He yawned. “And on that note, I’m off to bed.” He nodded at Amberwood. “Excellent game. We must have a rematch. Tomorrow if possible.” Then he left the room in search of his bedchamber.
Not long after that, Amberwood made his excuses, leaving Declan alone with his own thoughts—and they were not necessarily good ones. Especially when they centered around the minx who had invaded his garden and his growing desire for her. He sighed. Perhaps it was time to just accept his growing fascination with the brazen girl. Either way, he couldn’t do much about it tonight, so he’d just do as his friends had: go to bed and pray his dreams were not haunted by the beautiful Charlotte. Otherwise, he might not have a restful night, and he desperately needed one.
Chapter Seven
It had rainedfor three days straight, ensuring that Charlotte, Jaclyn, and Georgina were forced to remain inside. They desperately wanted to take a walk and enjoy the outdoors, but Charlotte couldn’t be upset about the rain. It was essential for everything to grow and bloom. That didn’t mean she particularly enjoyed days upon days of nothing but rain. It made the old castle drafty and cold. Not to mention how gloomy the old building was when nothing but clouds graced the sky.
But today, no gray clouds encased the sky. Nothing but blue and sunshine greeted them, and Charlotte fully intended to take advantage of their good fortune. One never knew when the rain might pay them a call again, after all. She nearly bubbled over with glee at the idea of escaping the confines of the castle.
Charlotte strolled into the sitting room and clapped her hands. “Ladies,” she said with excitement. “We are going to take our leave of the castle and enjoy a midmorning stroll.”
“Are we?” Jaclyn lifted a brow. “I don’t recall agreeing to this endeavor.”
“You’re not fooling anyone,” she said as she narrowed her gaze on Jaclyn. “Lest you forget how well I know you. You’re about to run through the halls screaming with both boredom and for the sheer need to exercise your limbs from inactivity.”
Georgina giggled. The girl was lightening up more and more each day. Charlotte credited Jaclyn for the changes.Her gregarious nature could be infectious under the right circumstances. “I wouldn’t mind a walk,” Georgina said shyly. “I haven’t had a chance to explore much of the school’s grounds. You both promised you would give me a proper tour.”
Jaclyn sat straighter at her words. “You are right,” she said in a gleeful tone. Too gleeful by Charlotte’s estimation. “Wedidpromise.”
Charlotte did not like the way Jaclyn seemed all too happy to keep that promise. She had another one of her schemes working through that devious mind of hers. They might just come to regret this excursion, but at the moment Charlotte couldn’t bring herself to care. “Then we should go prepare for our walk.” She smiled brightly at her two friends. “Let’s see if we can pack a picnic lunch to take with us.”
There were not too many students left at the academy. The school term was ending, and soon the school would be empty, except for the small number of girls who would remain over the summer. There would still be classes, but they would have a lighter schedule. The classes were to keep them occupied. Mrs. Havenwood was of the mind that too much freedom led to wicked behavior. Charlotte didn’t think that the headmistress was wrong in that regard. Besides, she did enjoy some of the classes, and she adored all of the teachers.
But since the number of residents at the castle was less than normal, they didn’t keep a strict meal schedule. As long as they let one of the teachers or Mrs. Havenwood know their plans, a picnic was not out of the realm of possibilities. She liked the idea of staying out longer than usual. It would help ease some of the frustration that had been building within her over their confinement.
“I’ll see to the picnic essentials,” Georgina said. “I would be ready to leave now if not for that.” She smiled at them both.It was serene and beatific. The girl was truly lovely. If only she could work past her everlasting shyness.
“Thank you,” Charlotte said. “I only need to retrieve one thing from upstairs.” She turned to Jaclyn. “Do you require anything?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I’m perfect as is.” Jaclyn beamed. “I’ll meet you both in the foyer in a quarter hour. Is that enough time?”
“It should be,” Charlotte said. “I won’t be long” She turned toward Georgina. “Do you need more time to pack a picnic?”
She shook her head. “The kitchen staff has kept a lot of cold fare for us to grab when we are hungry. It shouldn’t take long to pack enough for the three of us.” Georgina nodded at them both. “A quarter hour it is, then.”
They all scrambled off to do their errands before they left. Charlotte did not believe for one second that Jaclyn didn’t have something to do. What was her friend up to now? She had a scheme in mind, but what that could be, she did not know. They would discover it soon enough.
