“Let’s be honest,” Declan said as he met Amberwood’s gaze. “You don’t want to see one of those ladies in particular. Do you wish to discuss the reason why?”
“I’d rather not,” he said. “But you need not worry. I won’t cause any scandal or make anyone wish to stay away. I’ll be... good.” He grated out the last word as if saying it caused him some sort of pain. Declan really wished he knew what had happened between him and Lady Jaclyn. Perhaps one day he’d tell him. For now, he would let his curiosity fall to the wayside.
“Well, this has been... interesting,” he said. Declan couldn’t think of a more appropriate word for their conversation. “But I need to locate my mother and have that discussion. I’ll see you both outside in the next hour for the archery, correct?”
“I’ll be there,” Foxmoore said. “It should be entertaining, at least. Some of those ladies have trouble standing straight. I cannot wait to see them try to shoot an arrow.” He chuckled as if he already imagined the impending disaster. They would have to be careful. Foxmoore made a valid observation. Some of those ladies might be dangerous with a bow and arrow, and not in a good way. Was there a good way? He shook his head.
“How about you, Amberwood?” he asked. He didn’t think that the duke would stay away from the tournament, but he couldn’t be certain. He would not force him to participate either; however, he did want to know what he intended to do.
“I’ll be there,” he replied in a grudging tone. “I’ll even try to be friendly.”
“That’s all I can ask,” he said. He was proud of his two friends. He couldn’t ask for two better people to be by his side in all things.
Declan left the two of them alone in the game room. They would participate in the archery, and that was all that mattered. Now to just find his mother. Soon he’d see Charlotte, and that made the entire house party worth it.
He whistled a little as he strolled down the hall. Declan couldn’t recall ever being this happy. He had been miserable for a long time. That was perhaps why he had been so irritable with Charlotte in the beginning. He hoped that over their time together he’d changed her opinion of him. Their kisses had certainly suggested she liked something about him. He took a deep breath and then went in the direction of the sitting room his mother preferred. Some tasks could not be avoided, and this topped that list.
Chapter Fifteen
Charlotte walked withJaclyn as they entered the area set up for the day’s activities. It didn’t take a genius to uncover what that activity would be: archery. As a little girl, she had wanted to learn how to shoot a pistol, but her father had told her no. That type of weapon wasn’t for girls. He had compromised with her and allowed her to learn a different skill. Archery was a much better option for a girl, even if it too was far too masculine for the duke’s mindset. Still, she could learn as long as she never let anyone know she could shoot an arrow better than any man. Which meant she never participated in these types of events. How the blazes was she going to extricate herself from this? She could pretend to be something she wasn’t—a woman without any idea how to hit the target. Could she do it?
Jaclyn wrinkled her nose. “There are many things I would rather do than this.”
“Name one,” Charlotte challenged her.
Her friend glared at her and then accepted the gauntlet Charlotte had thrown. “Swim naked in that pond we passed on the way here.” She grinned. “That would be both daring and exciting.”
Immediately the image of Declan swimming in that pond flashed before her. He was decadent that day. She also remembered the dip he had taken the night before, though that one had been fully clothed and undesired. “I can see the appeal.”She’d like to swim naked with Declan. Her cheeks heated at the idea. How scandalous...
Jaclyn laughed. “I can guess where your thoughts are roaming, but I’ll refrain from speaking them aloud.” She bumped shoulders with her. “Lest your wickedness spill over onto some innocents nearby.”
They came to a halt nearby where the targets had been set up. There were a lot of guests already milling about. She searched the area but did not see Declan. She hoped he would find her soon.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “If anyone has wickedness to spill, it’s you.” She fought a smile. “You’ve led me down more scandalous paths than anyone else.”
“How very astute,” a man said from behind them. “She knows you well, then.”
They both turned and found the Duke of Amberwood and the Earl of Foxmoore there. The duke didn’t seem happy to see them. The earl was ambivalent. He seemed to be looking for someone else. Charlotte could guess. He wanted to see Georgina. Well, he wouldn’t have to wait long. Georgina and Melisande had been a short distance behind them. They should reach them soon.
Jaclyn glared at the duke. “You only think you know how wicked I can be.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Trust me,” she told him. “When I’m truly wicked, you’ll be the last man to know.” With those words she walked away, leaving the Duke of Amberwood gaping at her.
“She’s too much,” he said under his breath.
“You think so?” Charlotte asked as she glanced in her friend’s direction. “Then I suppose it is good that she’s not yours, isn’t it?” She tilted her head to the side. “She’s free to find a gentleman that will appreciate her.”
The duke turned his gaze toward her. “And whoever that fictitious person may be, he is quite welcome to her.”
There was something in his gaze that belied his words. He did not truly want another to make a claim on Jaclyn. She couldn’t help wondering, not for the first time, what their history actually consisted of, and if they had any chance of rectifying the mistakes they had clearly made with each other.
“You may regret that one day,” she told him. “Though I do believe you already carry many regrets that weigh on you. Perhaps you should not add more to that already-overbearing load.” She turned toward the earl. “If you’re waiting for Georgina, she’s approaching now.”
“I’m not . . .” The Earl of Foxmoore sputtered out the words. “I mean . . .”
“It’s all right, my lord,” she said with amusement. “Your secret is safe with me.” With those words said, she turned away from the two gentlemen and went in search of her friend. Their chaperones would not be far behind, but still she didn’t wish for her friend to be alone. She was clearly troubled by the duke’s words.
She didn’t get a chance to locate Jaclyn, though. Charlotte ran right into Declan. He reached out and steadied her so she didn’t fall to the ground. That would have been quite ungraceful. She had been so preoccupied with her search, she hadn’t seen him approaching her. “I’m so sorry,” she said. She was sincere in her apology, but she was also grateful. Charlotte had come for him alone. The rest of the house party had no allure for her. But Declan... Her fascination with the marquess was not waning but growing with each passing day. Every moment they spent together only proved to draw them closer together. Whenever he touched her, in any fashion, desire sparked to life within her. Though it was far more than that. The feelings she held for himwere far more complicated than simple lust. Either way, she was always happy to be in his company. This time was no different.
“What is bothering you?” he asked. His expression filled with concern. He started to reach out to touch her face but clenched his fingers together. It wouldn’t be wise to be too familiar with her with so many gazes watching them. “Tell me.”
