Chapter 2
Two
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the grounds of Havenwood Academy as Jaclyn and Ella strolled through the expansive gardens.
The rich scent of the late-blooming roses and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze added a sense of tranquility to their conversation.
The air was thick with the anticipation of autumn, the coolness of the coming season beginning to settle in.
Ella, though a newcomer to Havenwood, was proving to be an easy companion, and Jaclyn found herself drawn to her despite the hint of mystery surrounding the young woman.
Ella had a quiet strength, something Jaclyn admired, but there was also an underlying sadness in her gaze—a sadness she had yet to fully explain.
The two ladies walked in comfortable silence for a moment before Jaclyn turned toward Ella with a soft smile.
“I love walking the grounds of Havenwood,” Jaclyn remarked, her eyes taking in the vast grounds, the rows of trees that dotted the landscape. “The gardens are so peaceful, and there’s something about it here that makes it feel... like a place where one can breathe.”
Ella nodded, the faintest hint of a smile touching her lips. “Yes, it is quite calming.” She was quiet for a moment before she added unexpectedly, “My guardian, the Duke of Westcliffe, insisted that I attend. He thought it would be good for me... to get away for a while.”
Jaclyn, sensing the hesitation in Ella’s voice, turned toward her with curiosity.
“If it’s not too forward, might I ask why you needed to come here?
” Jaclyn knew her own reasons. The scandal at Vauxhall and that blasted duel her brother insisted on.
If not for that she might have been preparing for a season in London.
“I’m sure it’s not just for the beauty of the surroundings,” she added gently, though she made sure to keep her tone light, not wanting to pry too deeply.
She did not wish to pry. Ella could tell her why she’d been sent to Havenwood if she wished, but it was none of Jaclyn’s concern either way.
She only hoped they could be friends since they would be sharing a room for their duration at the school.
Ella hesitated, her eyes flickering downward for a moment as if the question had opened a wound she wasn’t ready to face.
When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet and tinged with the weight of something unsaid.
“It’s... complicated,” she began, choosing her words carefully.
“It involves a rogue of some sort, someone with a... reputation. You understand… My guardian thought it would be best if I came here to remove myself from the situation.”
Jaclyn’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Did this rogue have dishonorable intentions toward you?” She had no real experience with rogues.
Though her brother considered the Duke of Amberwood to be the worst sort of scoundrel—she had not been acquainted with him or his reputation before that meeting at Vauxhall.
Ella took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, her gaze distant.
“Nothing ever happened, I assure you. The man in question was nothing but a gentleman, and there was no impropriety, I swear.” She nibbled on her bottom lip tentatively and then glanced away.
When she turned her gaze back toward Jaclyn there was a pleading look in her golden eyes.
“But the association was enough to damage my reputation, enough to make it difficult for me to remain in society.” She paused, her voice softening.
“It’s all a misunderstanding, really, but my guardian believed it was best if I left town to allow time for that gossip to die down.
” She held up her arms and gestured toward the garden. “So here I am.”
Jaclyn could sense the weight of the shame that Ella still carried, though she knew not all of it was deserved. “I’m so sorry, Ella,” she said gently. “I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been for you.” It also sounded completely avoidable. Much like her own circumstances.
Ella smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s not something I like to think about. But I am here now, and I must make the best of it.”
Jaclyn nodded, her heart aching for her new friend, though she could see the strength beneath Ella’s facade.
“If it helps,” Jaclyn continued, “I don’t believe anyone here judges you for anything.
Everyone has their own past, their own mistakes.
” Every single lady in attendance at Havenwood had some scandal chasing at their heels.
Jaclyn was no exception, but she did not explain that to Ella.
She had no desire to tell her story. She had not even explained it all to Charlotte.
Ella gave a small, appreciative nod, the brief tension in her shoulders easing. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice almost inaudible. “I worried that everyone would whisper around me like they did in London.”
The two walked on, their steps carrying them farther into the estate’s grounds.
As they passed the old stone fountain, Jaclyn turned toward Ella once more.
“Do you know,” she began, her tone shifting to something lighter, “A few months back, Charlotte—she’s the Marchioness of Easton now—and I went for a stroll through these very woods.
It’s such a lovely spot, but we happened upon something. .. quite unexpected.”
They continued walking along the path through the woods until they reached the clearing. In the distance a pond came into view. Jaclyn stopped and stared at the pond and remembered that day.
Three men had been there. Their horses had been tied to a nearby tree.
They had likely gone for a ride and had decided to take a respite at the pond.
But those three gentlemen had taken it a step farther.
They removed their clothing, and all three gentlemen were gorgeous.
One had blond hair that shimmered underneath the sun, another had hair so dark it mirrored a dark sky minus the stars, and the other one had rich brown hair as dark as chocolate.
The one with black hair had kept her rooted and mute at first—the Duke of Amberwood himself.
Ella raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What do you mean?”
Jaclyn sighed as she shook the remnants of that memory away.
It only made her miss Charlotte more. “Well, we stumbled upon a small group of gentlemen taking a dip in the pond that borders Havenwood and Easton Abbey—right over there.” She gestured toward the pond.
“It was quite the sight; I can tell you. The Marquess of Easton was there, along with the Duke of Amberwood and the Earl of Foxmoore. It was certainly something we both stopped to appreciate fully.” She leaned over and said in a loud whisper, “They were undressing.”
Ella gasped. “They were?” she asked, her tone curious as her eyes widened in shock. “Three gentlemen undressed in front of ladies—that’s well… scandalous.”
Jaclyn nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It was a grand day,” she said, then sighed. “Charlotte had a rather... shall we say, fleeting glimpse of the Marquess of Easton. It was the beginning of their connection, though neither of them would likely admit that now.”
Ella looked at her, half-amused. “You two were spying on them?”
“We didn’t mean to,” Jaclyn protested, though her smile remained.
“We were simply walking, and well, curiosity got the better of us. But we left before they could catch us, of course. And later, we found out the marquess wasn’t quite as oblivious as we had thought.
He came to visit Mrs. Havenwood shortly afterward. ”
Ella chuckled. “That sounds like quite an adventure.”
“It was,” Jaclyn agreed, her tone light. “And now here we are, the summer over, and Charlotte is married to the marquess, and I believe there may be more to that story than either of them let on. She ran away with him and eloped.”
As they walked along the edge of the woods, their steps slow and comfortable, the distant sound of hooves reached their ears.
Both women paused, turning their attention toward the sound.
Moments later, the Duke of Amberwood appeared in the distance.
Jaclyn would recognize that man anywhere.
His dark hair and broad shoulders would forever be etched in her memory.
He slowed his horse as he neared the two ladies and dismounted with ease.
As much as a part of her loathed him, the other part appreciated his masculine beauty.
He was one handsome man, and any lady would have to be struck blind not to appreciate him.
“Good evening, ladies,” the duke said. He smiled but it did not reach his eyes. Jaclyn noticed because she kept her attention focused there. Otherwise, her gaze might wander to other parts of his body that she wished she could admire. “I trust I am not disturbing your walk?”
Jaclyn forced a smile to her lips, but she did not feel it any more than Amberwood did.
“Not at all, Your Grace,” Jaclyn said, her voice light.
Her insides, however, were a jumbled mess of anxiety.
“We were just reminiscing about the past, and of course, Lady Ella was asking about the academy.” She nodded in her direction.
“Lady Ella,” she began, “I would like to introduce you to His Grace, the Duke of Amberwood.” She turned toward the duke.
“Your Grace, this is Lady Ella Winslow. She is a new student at Havenwood.”
Ella smiled politely. “I have heard much about this place, but it is even more beautiful up close.”