Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill or its characters. I don't own Scandal of the Season, it belongs to Sophie Gee

I read this book called Scandal of the Season and I thought I might do a story set in that time period. I changed the story line but I liked the title so I thought I might use that still. I hope you all like this.

Summary: Nathan Scott and Haley James? Well isn't that just the scandal of the season?

Chapter 1: Change

London, 1711

Haley James sat in the back of a carriage that was now going along a bumpy road. Her body jerked around in the back and she grabbed hold of the seat to steady herself. She pushed the hair that had fallen from her bun out of her face. She sighed and rested back against the seat of the carriage. She was going to London to stay with her best friend's family. Brooke Scott had been her best friend since she was young.

Haley was getting married in the fall to Julian Baker. She was going to spend the summer with Brooke. Haley had only met Julian once but her father said they would make a good fit. His father was one of the richest men in England and who better to arrange a marriage with. Haley thought he was nice enough but she didn't see herself ever falling in love with him. He seemed more concerned with the materialistic things and that just wasn't who she was.

It seemed like she'd been in the back of the carriage for days when in reality it had only been a few hours. Her legs ached and she wanted to stretch them. Plus it was beginning to get very hot. She was sure she'd look terrible by the time she got to the Scott's.

But Haley couldn't deny that she was excited to see Brooke and her family. Deb Scott wasn't what you would call a typical mother. She wasn't around for Brooke much so it was no surprise that she had a hard time letting people in. Haley was one of the few people she trusted. The only other person she really trusted was her older brother Nathan.

The carriage stopped and Haley jerked forward again. "We're here Ma'am," the driver told her. He opened the door for her and she stepped out of the carriage. The Scott's house was larger than she remembered. She hadn't been there since she was 13. The driver grabbed the bags off the back of the carriage. Haley looked at the large house and saw the door to the front of the house open.

"Haley!" she heard.

Haley smiled when she saw Brooke Davis running across the large grass lawn. Haley ran towards her and Brooke threw her arms around her friend. "I can't believe you're finally here!" Haley smiled said, "I know what you mean! I feel like I was in the back of that carriage for years!" The two girls laughed and began to walk towards the house while the driver carried Haley's bags toward the house.

They walked through the large house and Brooke showed Haley up the stairs towards the room where she would be staying in. The room was open and airy. The walls were a light green color with a large bed that was against the wall. There was a vanity on the other side of the room with perfume and make up on it. The bed had a green bed spread on it with white designs on it.

"This room is beautiful." Haley walked towards the large floor to ceiling windows and she opened them. They lead out to a balcony and Haley stepped out on it. Her view was a large lawn with many trees. There was also a large fountain she saw with a pond behind it. Brooke stepped out next to her, "pretty isn't it?"

Haley nodded and looked at Brooke, "it is. Thank you for having me."

"Of course! I'm so glad you're here," Brooke wrapped her arm around Haley shoulders and squeezed them. The two of them walked into the room and over to Haley's bed. They sat down and Haley began to unbutton the jacket she wore over her light pink dress. "So you're getting married," Brooke said, "that's so crazy to think about."

Haley nodded, "yeah I'm getting married."

Brooke tilted her head to the side, "you're not married about it, are you?"

"Julian is a nice man, but, he wouldn't have been my first choice for marriage."

Brooke shrugged her shoulders, "I understand what you mean. From what I've heard about him he and he doesn't seem like the marriage type."

"He's probably not. I've only met the man once but he seems most concerned with money. Which is probably why my father suggested we get married. His father is extremely rich."

"Well then at least you have security."

"But that shouldn't be what our marriage is based on."

"Well we won't think about him this summer. This summer is about us, we're going to have fun. And Nathan is coming home tomorrow night! He hasn't been home in awhile, I'm so excited!"

"Wow, Nathan, I haven't seen him in such a long time!"

She hadn't seen him since the last time she'd been to London. In her letters with Brooke, she'd told her that Nathan had been in London but hadn't been home. "I thought he was in London already," Haley said.

Brooke nodded, "yes but he hasn't been home for awhile. My mother is so excited. She's hoping that he'll come home and say he's found a great girl who comes from a wealthy family that he wants to marry. But I know he's not like that. He has a new girl every week. I don't know if he'll ever settle down."

"You really think that there's no one out there that's right for him?"

"Who knows, there might be, but he just hasn't found her yet. Who knows when he will. Or if he will.


Nathan Scott walked with his friends Chase Adams and Jake Jagelski. He also had his arm around Rachel Gattina's shoulder. This was a typical night for him. Rachel was just his girl for the night. She was 23 years old and she was married to Damien West. She didn't love him and he didn't love her. He was cheating on her just like she was cheating on him. But it was expected that the man would have a mistress. She didn't understand why she couldn't find someone for her.

She didn't realize that Nathan didn't have feelings for her. She was just his pick for the night. Nathan had never been in love and she wasn't going to be the first girl he fell for. Not a married woman. Especially not a woman married to Damien West. Rachel tilted her head and looked up at Nathan, "you should come to my room," she whispered.

Damien wasn't home and Rachel threw a party. Nathan and his friends were part of the many guests who were invited. Rachel and Damien lived in a large house that had many rooms. Nathan had his own room, but apparently he would be staying with Rachel that night. Nathan nodded to his two friends before walking into Rachel's room with her.

She shut the door and turned to face him. She leaned in towards him and began to kiss him. He kissed her back but he felt nothing. Just like always. He never felt nothing with the women he was with. Rachel began to unbutton the shirt he was wearing while he worked on untying her dress. "Do you love me Nathan?" she asked.

Do you love me?

This was a question he'd been asked before. The answer he wanted to give every time was no. But he couldn't bring himself to say that. Instead he just nodded and sent a half smile. She smiled back before kissing him and pulling him towards her bed.

When Nathan woke in the morning he looked at Rachel laying next to him. He saw that the sky was gray and that the sun was still behind the clouds. He got out of bed and dressed before she could wake up. When he made it back to his room he saw that his bags were already packed and set on his bed. He grabbed them and walked down the long hallways and down the flights of stairs until he got to door of the house. He saw Chase and Jake waiting by the door with their bags in hand. The three of them walked out of the house and towards the carriage that would be taking them to Nathan's home for the summer.

Nathan was happy to be going home but he wasn't ready to be hit with questions concerning his love life. He was sure that's what his mother would ask him. He just tried to prepare himself for it. In the letter Brooke had written him a week ago she had told him that her old friend Haley James was staying with them for the summer. He remembered Haley. He hadn't seen her since he was 14. 5 years ago. He wondered how much she'd changed since he saw her last. Well of course she must have, it had been 5 years. He remembered that when they were younger Haley always had a book with her. He didn't ever know what she was reading but she seemed to always be reading. She was always sort of a bookworm.

In the letter Brooke had said that Haley was getting married to Julian Baker. Nathan had heard his name before and he knew his reputation. Even though he didn't remember much about Haley James, he remembered that she was a kind person. Even when they were young she was always kind. To everyone. Even the people Nathan felt didn't deserve her kindness. He hoped that her marrying Julian would only bring her happiness.


Haley walked out the balcony from her room and looked at the view. She'd slept great the night before. She had been so tired that it seemed like the second her head hit the pillow she fell asleep. The first thing her mind wandered to was the fact that in the fall she was getting married. Married to Julian Baker. Maybe the rumors she'd heard so many times about him were wrong. Maybe he wasn't as bad as everyone thought. All she'd heard since she'd become engaged to him was that he was selfish. She really hoped that wasn't the truth.

She remembered when she'd first met him. It was right after she'd turned 17. It wasn't until after she turned 18 that she heard she was going to be marrying him. She wouldn't have insisted that she didn't marry him but she knew it was no use. There was nothing she could do about it. Her father had already set up the plans and there was no backing out of it now.

"Haley," Jimmy James said to his youngest daughter, "I have something I need to tell you. Why don't you sit down?"

Jimmy had called Haley into his study and he said there was something important he had to talk to her about. She didn't have any idea what it was but it must have been serious. "You remember Julian Baker don't you?" he asked. Haley nodded, "of course I do."

"Well I have been speaking to his father and we think it would be best if you two were married."

"Married?" Haley asked.

"Yes. Next fall. His family is very wealthy and Julian is a smart man and he'll be able to provide security for you and the rest of the family. I believe that this is what is best for you."

Haley wanted to argue but she wouldn't. He'd already made up his mind. There was nothing she could do to change his mind. She put on the most convincing smile she could, "if you think it best," she said, "I completely agree with you."

Jimmy smiled and put out his hand for his daughter. She took his hand and smiled, "Julian really liked you," Jimmy said, "he was happy when he heard the news."

Haley smiled again and on the outside she was happy, on the inside she was miserable. But he would never know that. She would play the role of the obedient daughter just like she was supposed to. She would never say anything.

Haley shook her head and let out a sigh. Before she knew it, it would be fall and she would be Haley Elizabeth James Baker. The wife of one of the wealthiest men in England. She knew she would be married to a respected man and she would be respected because of it. She hoped in time she would learn to love him. She was sure she would. She would make herself love him. Haley had decided that she wouldn't let herself be in a loveless marriage.


Nathan checked his pocket watch for what had to have been the 5th time within 10 minutes. He felt like it had been an eternity since he'd gotten in the back of the carriage. "Looking at that watch is not going to make the time go any faster," Jake said while continuing to look out the window. Nathan rolled his eyes, "I know that." Jake shook his head and looked at his friend, "why are you so anxious to get home anyway?"

"I haven't been home in years, I guess I'm just excited."

"You're sister will be there won't she?" Chase asked. Nathan nodded and then looked at the both of them, "neither one of you are to touch her do you understand me?" Both Jake and Chase nodded, "we know the rules. But what about her friend, she off limits too?" Chase asked.

"She's engaged to Julian Baker," Nathan responded, "so yes, she's off limits."

"Don't worry Nathan," Jake said, "we wouldn't be like that with your family or your families friends. We know better than that," he joked.

"Do you guys ever consider getting married? I mean do you ever want to quit playing games?" Nathan asked. Jake shrugged, "I don't see how it would be any different. I mean, we'd get married and say yes, I love the girl, but what stops her from being with another man? What stops me from being with another woman?"

"But what if you didn't want to? What if the only woman you wanted to be with was the one you married?" Nathan asked.

Chase laughed, "are you feeling ok? This isn't you."

"I was just thinking about it. What if my family is right and it is time I settle down. I'm Lord after all. I hardly think it's appropriate for me to be a bachelor for much longer."

"You're 19," Jake reminded him, "you don't have to go out and find someone right now."

"I know that. But the day will come when I do eventually have to settle down." Nathan shook his head, "well let's just hope that day doesn't come quickly."

Jake and Chase both chuckled and looked out the window of the carriage.


Brooke ran through the door of Haley's room and saw her sitting on her bed reading a book. "Reading again Haley?" Brooke asked and sat down across from her. Haley rolled her eyes jokingly, "yes Brooke. Even you should know how to read." Brooke glared and her and then stuck her tongue out at her. "Well the reason I'm in here is to tell you that tonight there will be a masked ball to celebrate Nathan's homecoming."

"Tonight?" Haley asked.

"Yes," Brooke said, "he should actually be getting home soon. He's bringing two of this friends with him. Chase Adams and Jake Jagelski. I think you'll find they're both quite handsome."

"Really Brooke is that all you think about?"

"No that's not all I think about. But honestly when you see a person for the first time and you don't know their personality, the first thing you focus on is their looks. Don't lie and say it's not true, you know it is."

"I'm not saying that's not true, just think it should be about more than looks. Maybe that's just me."

"I want more than just good looks Haley. It has to be more than that. I was just saying they're both handsome. Well anyways, some new dresses came in this morning, later we'll have to look and see if there is anything you want."

Haley smiled, "ok, we'll do that."

Brooke smiled and stood up, "I'll be back later, I have to go make sure that everything is being set up correctly for tonight. Have fun reading."

Haley smiled and looked back at her book as Brooke left the room.


A few hours later the carriage pulled up to the house. Nathan got out without waiting for the door to be opened by the driver. Jake and Chase followed him out. They walked to the house and Nathan opened the door. He saw the many servants walking around the house and he saw that they were setting up for a party. Not that he was surprised. Brooke was always one to plan parties.

He saw Brooke standing at the top of the marble stairs and she ran down them. "Nathan!" she yelled happily and he hugged her tightly. "Brooke! It's good to see you."

"Yes it's good to see you too. It's about time you come home! I mean how long have you been away?"

"Too long. Now are you planning a party?"

"Of course, to celebrate your homecoming!"

Nathan shook his head, "you remember Jake and Chase right?"

Brooke smiled and nodded, "of course I do. How are you both?"

They both smiled and they exchanged hello's. Nathan left the three of them to go look around the house he hadn't been in in years. He walked up the marble steps and down the long hallways. He stopped in front of one of the guest rooms. He noticed that the door was shut. All of the doors in the house remained open unless they were in use. That must have been Haley's room.

He continued walking until he got to his room. He walked in and saw that it was the same as it had been when he'd been home last. The same dark blue walls with the large bed with the black bedspread. The same as he'd left it.

To him it seemed as if nothing had changed and that nothing would be changing, but he didn't know how wrong he was. Everything was about to change.

Please review and let me know what you think!