The marquess had been glorious to behold. Charlotte almost wished they had stayed a little longer and watched them all. She would ask him what he thought about their voyeurism later. He might want to avoid her, but he would not be so lucky. They were going to cross paths again. Easton Abbey was far too close to Havenwood Academy for him to avoid her entirely.
“I doubt that man is embarrassed by much,” Charlotte said. “He’s far too sure of himself for that.” She wrinkled her nose. “Along with arrogant and overbearing.” He sure seemed to think he had a right to give her orders and expected her to heed them without question.
Jaclyn furrowed her eyebrows. “I didn’t think you spoke to him that much. What haven’t you told me?”
A lot. She hadn’t told Jaclyn about the conversation she’d had with him outside after the meeting with Mrs. Havenwood, and definitely hadn’t mentioned their late night meeting in his garden. Should she tell her all of that now? It would be simpler if she confessed her transgressions, and then she wouldn’t haveany secrets. “I did speak with him after he came to the school.” That was not everything but not a lie exactly, either. “I wanted to thank him for not telling Mrs. Havenwood the whole truth.” She nibbled on her bottom lip in contemplation.
“You did?” Jaclyn frowned. “When?”
“Before class,” she said. “I sneaked outside and went to him before he departed.”
“And what did he say?” Jaclyn asked.
She could not tell Jaclyn about some of the crude remarks he had spoken to her. “He told me thanking him was unnecessary because he didn’t explain everything out of any concern for our well-being.” He’d been a complete arse. “He had his own self-preservation to consider, and he had no desire to cause a scandal.”
“And as students at the school for unmarriageable young ladies,” Jaclyn began, “we clearly have no issue with scandals and wicked behavior.” She rolled her eyes. “I understand why you don’t like him much. He might be gorgeous to behold, but I don’t think I want to further our acquaintance.”
Charlotte wished she could say the same. There was something about the marquess she found far too intriguing. Maybe she would be able to forget about him over time. “I suppose,” she said noncommittally. “He’s not worth discussing anymore.”
“Ladies,” Miss Abernathy said as she strolled into the library. Her raven black hair was pulled back into a stern bun that made her pale green eyes seem more stark against her alabaster skin. Miss Abernathy was the daughter of a vicar and had strong opinions she had no qualms sharing. Charlotte liked that about the instructor. She was almost too lovely and intelligent to be sequestered at Havenwood. “I would like you to meet Miss Georgina Williams. She’s going to be your new roommate,” Miss Abernathy explained.
Jaclyn and Charlotte glanced at the young woman. She had light brown hair streaked with gold, and her eyes were an odd blue that almost appeared violet. Her gown was a cornflower blue that brought out that violet shade even more. That is, when she actually glanced up long enough for Charlotte to see her eyes. She seemed exceptionally bashful. That couldn’t be a good thing for a lady in search of a husband. Was that why she’d been sent to Havenwood?
“Welcome to Havenwood,” Jaclyn said and then smiled at their new roommate. “Have you seen our room yet?”
“She has not,” Miss Abernathy answered for her. “Will you please escort her to your room and show her around the school? She will be staying the summer with the two of you.” She pinned both of them with a look. “And I trust she will be welcomed into your room with no difficulties.” Charlotte barely refrained from sighing. They’d only driven one roommate away, and the teachers would never allow them to forget it. Lady Daisy had been a horrid girl, and they had not wished to share their room with her. Luckily, the girl had gone to another wing of the castle and found a room with another student.
Not all of the students would remain at the school for the summer. Many would return home for the month-long break before the next term began. Jaclyn and Charlotte were amongst the few that stayed all year at Havenwood. “Of course,” Charlotte said. “We would be happy to.”
Jaclyn stood and walked over to Miss Georgina Williams and held out her arm. “I predict we are going to be great friends.” She nodded at Charlotte. “This is my dear friend Charlotte, and I am Jaclyn.”
“Hello,” she said in a tone so quiet it was almost inaudible.
Jaclyn pretended it had been a bellow and led Georgina down the hall. Charlotte grinned and followed behind them. “I think you are going to like it here. Charlotte and I are always here. Atleast until our families decide we can come home.” She wrinkled her nose. “We’re both running from scandals we don’t speak about. So if that’s why you’re here...”
“It isn’t,” Georgina said hastily. “I mean...” She opened and closed her mouth several times. “You really caused a scandal?” Her tone held a hint of awe in it. “What is that like?” Her cheeks filled with color as she spoke. “No one ever notices me. I probably could dance naked and they would look right through me.”
“Now that would be an interesting experiment,” Jaclyn said. “We might have to try it and see what happens.”
Poor Georgina. “Don’t listen to Jaclyn,” Charlotte said. “At least not too much. We wouldn’t want you to find trouble so soon upon your arrival.” She winked. “If you didn’t cause a scandal, why are you here? Especially as the term is ending in a few days.”
“My season was unfavorable.” She sighed. “And my father thinks I need more deportment and sent me here. He was tired of looking at me and didn’t care if the term ended. He wanted me gone.”
“It appears that we all have that distinct commonality,” Charlotte said. Her tone held a hint of sadness as she spoke. “We’re a disappointment.”
“That may be true,” Jaclyn said. “But we have each other. We don’t need to please anyone but ourselves.”
Charlotte wished it could be that easy. She knew better, though. She adored Jaclyn, but life was never that simple. She still had to tell her about the marquess, and she would. But for now, they had a new friend to welcome to the fold. The rest could wait until later.
*
Declan lounged inhis study and stared at the ledgers on his desk. His estate manager had left them for him to go over, but he could not concentrate on the numbers before him. He had to approve the changes that the estate manager wanted to implement at Easton Abbey, and his inability to concentrate would not aid in that endeavor.
He needed a drink. Probably several, actually. The dilemma he faced had nothing to do with the legers or any improvements to his estate. His issue had everything to do with a blonde hellion that invaded his thoughts and hadn’t left his mind for days. He should have kissed her. Perhaps if he had, he wouldn’t be so obsessed with the shape of her lips and not knowing if she tasted as delectable as he imagined.
Damn her for not listening to him.
It was time for that drink. The ledgers would have to wait. He probably wouldn’t be able to make any clear decisions for some time. Declan went over to the bar and poured two fingers of brandy into a glass and downed the contents. The burn that traveled down his throat distracted him long enough he could actually think. He poured more brandy, and this time he sipped on it.
