A Kiss With Scandal (Scandals & Secrets 4) by Janelle Daniels Page A

time limit?” Lord Acton asked, and Charlotte winced again at his partner, Lady Pembroke. Poor Lord Acton.
    Derek smiled. “You have until four o’clock—six hours. No doubt you will need sustenance before then. There will be a picnic lunch set up on the south lawn for the duration of the hunt, so you can eat whenever is convenient for you. Any other questions?” The room fell silent, but a nervous energy hummed in the air. “No? Then we will pass out the lists, and once everyone has a list in their hands, you may open it and begin the search. Good luck.”
    Someone squealed in the group, but Charlotte didn’t turn to see who it was. Her eyes were only for Derek. He whispered something to a servant before moving toward her.
    His eyes skimmed over her. “You look well today,” he whispered. “Did you sleep all right?”
    Everyone was too busy discussing strategies with their partner to notice them or care what they discussed. “I did. Surprisingly so. I noticed a footman polishing a mirror in the hall outside my room yesterday. Interestingly enough, he was still polishing the same mirror when I woke. You have a most dedicated staff, Viscount Lawrence.” She bit her cheek.
    His eyes twinkled. “Yes, I do.”
    A servant handed them a rolled up piece of parchment. “Shall we go?” he asked. “I find it’s better to strategize where others won’t overhear.”
    Charlotte agreed before he led her through the house to a rose garden just beyond the west terrace.
    “Do you know what’s on the list?”
    He chuckled. “That would make things easier for us. However, no, I do not know. I had someone else make it so I wouldn’t have an advantage. That wouldn’t be sporting.”
    “And are you always sporting?” she teased. She couldn’t help it. After everything that had happened to her, this was the first moment they weren’t focused on finding two killers. They were outside in a beautiful garden, the sun kissed their cheeks, and a soft breeze tickled hairs against her skin. The estate was beautiful, peaceful, and danger felt a hundred miles away.
    “I can’t say that I am,” he admitted with a grin.
    He unrolled the paper, and she leaned toward him, catching his woodsy scent as she scanned the paper. She wanted to close her eyes, inhale that potent smell until it was infused in her brain. No doubt he would think her daft, but she didn’t care. Almost .
    Heavens, how could a man smell so good? Most of the men of her acquaintance were sweaty or drenched in a sickly sweet smell they’d procured from a scent shop. Granted, she’d never interacted with men beyond social gatherings where rooms were too small and the crowds too large. Her father’s fragrance never smelled unpleasant. And neither had her brother-in-law, now that she thought of it. Although she couldn’t recall ever wanting to saturate herself with their unique smells.
    Oblivious to her thoughts, Derek said, “We should start here, with a ream of cherry ribbon. I have a feeling whoever goes to the shop will buy them out so others can’t claim a piece.”
    Charlotte frowned. “I wouldn’t do that.”
    “But I would.”
    She guffawed. “That has to be cheating.”
    “It’s not. The rules do not forbid clearing them out. This game can get ruthless. The shopkeepers never complain. We try to include several items on our list that can only be found in town. That way our local economy benefits.” He held out his arm for her. “Shall we? I know a shortcut.”
    Charlotte slipped her hand through his arm and relished the zing that shot through her at the pleasure of touching him. It felt right, comfortable. Almost like she’d always held onto him. Or always would.
    “We’ll cut through the woods. There’s a path not far from here. Will that be all right?” He eyed her light pink gown.
    “It’ll be fine. My maid is a genius at working out stains. I’m embarrassed to say she’s had a lot of practice.” She perused his bark-colored jacket in