A Kiss With Scandal (Scandals & Secrets 4) by Janelle Daniels
Authors: Janelle Daniels
Tags: Fiction, Suspense, Romance, Historical, Regency, England, romantic suspense, Mission, 19th century, Bachelor, Victorian, Abduction, Britain, secrets, undercover agent, dangerous, Forever Love, Single Woman, Scandals, Gossip, London Society, Hunted Witness, Vicious Smuggler, Overhears Evidence, Smuggling Ring, Viscount Haverston, War Office Leak, Besotted Suitor, Trains Self-Defense, Illicit Embrace, The Black Dahlia
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Norland giggled nervously. “I wonder whom I’ll be paired with.”
“Well, I hope it isn’t me. You’re terrible at finding things.” Lady Pembroke sniffed, oblivious to the insult she’d just delivered.
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed at the woman. She didn’t have any tolerance for bullies, and Lady Pembroke seemed to crush Lady Norland under her heel more often. Just because Lady Norland’s husband had left her with little financial support didn’t mean she should have to suffer the company of Lady Pembroke.
When no one spoke up, Charlotte turned a smile to Lady Norland. “I would be honored to partner you. Your quick mind would come in handy during an activity such as this.”
Lady Norland flushed and glanced at the floor.
“Oh. As would I. It would be an honor.” Lord Acton coughed, no doubt realizing how ungentlemanly his silence had been.
He said something else, but Charlotte tuned into the inflections and timbre of his voice more than what he said. Was there something familiar about his voice?
No. She shook her head at the unease curling through her. She was trying too hard to find something that wasn’t there.
Lady Pembroke on the other hand, could walk over another without a moment’s hesitation.
Conversation faded when Derek entered the room. Charlotte’s heart fluttered at the sight of him. Sugar lumps!
The use of his Christian name was so natural to her. She was in deep.
“Thank you all for joining us this morning.” Derek smiled, his gaze settling on Charlotte’s, and in that moment, she could have sworn he smiled only for her. “Scavenger hunts are a long-standing tradition in our household, and as you will find, this won’t be your run of the mill variety. You’ll be paired into teams of two. One lady with one gentleman. Both genders will be needed for different tasks.”
A few nervous giggles echoed in the room. No doubt the unmarried ladies wished to pair with the beau of their choice. Charlotte certainly hoped to.
He waited for the noise to settle down once more. “To make this fair, we’ve put everyone’s name in these hats,” he said as a servant held out two glossy black top hats. “One contains ladies’ names, and the other, the gentlemen. As I call your name, please step forward.”
Derek reached into one of the hats, swirling the folded papers theatrically. The room collectively held their breaths.
“Lady Downes and Lord Castlemire.” The group clapped as the two moved to the side of the room to strategize. “Miss Carlton and Lord Bartholomew.”
Each person was called, one at a time, and Charlotte took note of the few remaining stragglers. Finally, she was the only unpaired lady. Did that mean she wouldn’t have a partner?
“And finally, Lady Charlotte will be partnering me.”
Surprise flitted through her. She didn’t know how he’d managed it with a random drawing, but she knew that their pairing hadn’t been a coincidence. Why had he felt the need to partner her? Surely, as long as she stayed with the group and never wandered out alone, she’d be safe. Between Derek, the other guests, and the surprising number of servants, Charlotte was never alone unless she was in her room or in need of a moment of privacy. Derek had been true to his word. It would be hard for anyone to attack her.
“May I have your attention for another moment?” Derek called out. “Each team will be given an identical list of items to be found, along with corresponding points for each. Some items on the list will be easy to locate, as there are several, while others, the high point values, will be more difficult, whether because there is only one or because you’ll have to go to town to find them.” A woman gasped at the information, and Derek chuckled. “I told you, a scavenger hunt here isn’t commonplace. This is an event. If it’s too much for you, you can return at any time, and your points will be totaled from your collection. Any questions?”
“What’s the
“Well, I hope it isn’t me. You’re terrible at finding things.” Lady Pembroke sniffed, oblivious to the insult she’d just delivered.
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed at the woman. She didn’t have any tolerance for bullies, and Lady Pembroke seemed to crush Lady Norland under her heel more often. Just because Lady Norland’s husband had left her with little financial support didn’t mean she should have to suffer the company of Lady Pembroke.
When no one spoke up, Charlotte turned a smile to Lady Norland. “I would be honored to partner you. Your quick mind would come in handy during an activity such as this.”
Lady Norland flushed and glanced at the floor.
“Oh. As would I. It would be an honor.” Lord Acton coughed, no doubt realizing how ungentlemanly his silence had been.
He said something else, but Charlotte tuned into the inflections and timbre of his voice more than what he said. Was there something familiar about his voice?
No. She shook her head at the unease curling through her. She was trying too hard to find something that wasn’t there.
Lady Pembroke on the other hand, could walk over another without a moment’s hesitation.
Conversation faded when Derek entered the room. Charlotte’s heart fluttered at the sight of him. Sugar lumps!
The use of his Christian name was so natural to her. She was in deep.
“Thank you all for joining us this morning.” Derek smiled, his gaze settling on Charlotte’s, and in that moment, she could have sworn he smiled only for her. “Scavenger hunts are a long-standing tradition in our household, and as you will find, this won’t be your run of the mill variety. You’ll be paired into teams of two. One lady with one gentleman. Both genders will be needed for different tasks.”
A few nervous giggles echoed in the room. No doubt the unmarried ladies wished to pair with the beau of their choice. Charlotte certainly hoped to.
He waited for the noise to settle down once more. “To make this fair, we’ve put everyone’s name in these hats,” he said as a servant held out two glossy black top hats. “One contains ladies’ names, and the other, the gentlemen. As I call your name, please step forward.”
Derek reached into one of the hats, swirling the folded papers theatrically. The room collectively held their breaths.
“Lady Downes and Lord Castlemire.” The group clapped as the two moved to the side of the room to strategize. “Miss Carlton and Lord Bartholomew.”
Each person was called, one at a time, and Charlotte took note of the few remaining stragglers. Finally, she was the only unpaired lady. Did that mean she wouldn’t have a partner?
“And finally, Lady Charlotte will be partnering me.”
Surprise flitted through her. She didn’t know how he’d managed it with a random drawing, but she knew that their pairing hadn’t been a coincidence. Why had he felt the need to partner her? Surely, as long as she stayed with the group and never wandered out alone, she’d be safe. Between Derek, the other guests, and the surprising number of servants, Charlotte was never alone unless she was in her room or in need of a moment of privacy. Derek had been true to his word. It would be hard for anyone to attack her.
“May I have your attention for another moment?” Derek called out. “Each team will be given an identical list of items to be found, along with corresponding points for each. Some items on the list will be easy to locate, as there are several, while others, the high point values, will be more difficult, whether because there is only one or because you’ll have to go to town to find them.” A woman gasped at the information, and Derek chuckled. “I told you, a scavenger hunt here isn’t commonplace. This is an event. If it’s too much for you, you can return at any time, and your points will be totaled from your collection. Any questions?”
“What’s the
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