by Hazel Grace
I groaned inwardly and felt my headache storm on.
“What is it?” I mumbled angrily. “I’m busy.”
“I’ve heard,” she replied softly. She walked to my desk and sat in one of the black leather armchairs. Concern masked her face and her true intentions of being here. “Is there something I can do to help?”
I raised a brow. “Oh, there is plenty.” Sophia leaned closer to the desk, exposing her pale breast.
“Anything,” she began. She looked at me as though I was going to say something she honestly could do to help. And she could, no doubt about it, but not in the way she would want.
“You can stop plotting to force me to marry you, for one.”
Sophia’s facial expression suddenly turned to one of anger, but she kept her composure in her tone.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she replied with a small smile.
“Then I will just do it my way,” I countered. She sat back in her chair and crossed her legs.
“And what would that be?”
“Don’t want to ruin the surprise.” I started organizing my papers across my desk. Sophia crossed her arms and stared daggers at me.
“I wouldn’t bother putting too much effort into it, my Lord, when you can put effort where it is welcomed,” she replied in a seductive tone. I didn’t bother to look up; she offered nothing, and I didn’t want anything she wanted to give.
“You?” I let out a light laugh. “Why bother putting too much effort into someone who, clearly, on several occasions, has stated they didn’t want you. Really, Lady Chitwood, are you that desperate?”
Sophia slammed her hand on the desk and stood. “I am a charitable woman, Lord Cranfield. You need ‘giving.’ A good woman who knows how to keep you happy; someone who also knows how to…make you happy. You don’t like me. Maybe it is because I am outspoken, and you are not used to that. I know Lady Barlow probably follows you like a lost puppy, holding onto every word dripping from your sexy lips. I am not a dog, but I will get on my knees to—”
“Enough!” I bellowed, pushing my chair back, almost knocking it over. “You are that blind that you don’t see or comprehend that I don’t want a manipulative whore as my wife! I wouldn’t pawn you off on my worst enemy! Cease your imaginings of us being tied together. It is not going to happen."
Sophia brought her hand back and slapped my face. My face stung, and I knew I had a red hand mark painted on my cheek. She started for the door and, with her hand on the doorknob, she turned back to look at me. “Insult my character all you want, my Lord, but I get whatever I want...no matter the consequence.”
Ava
Chapter 19
“Caroline Bennett? I heard she was conceited and impulsive."
George sat in a chair beside me, his feet propped up on the bed. I had woken yesterday in a daze, parched, and a little nauseous. George filled me in on the happenings and the maid who had told them the truth. I argued with him about putting her to death, saying that she was forced to protect her family. George wasn’t easy to sway, but I finally won the agreement.
Garrett briefly visited me yesterday, but with both Lucy and Miranda in the room. I wanted him to stay, but he told me he had some duties he had to attend to, and Hara was coming home.
“Who told you that? You’ve only been here three weeks, and in bed for four days.”
I pushed myself deeper into my feather pillows. “I have my sources.”
George smirked. “Their names don’t happen to be Lucy and Miranda, do they?”
“A woman never tells her secrets, and a best friend never lets her friend consider a woman like Caroline Bennett.”
“She was just someone to keep my father’s mind busy. She will be dismissed in a few weeks, probably.”
I laughed. “Can you last that long?”
“My God, I hope so.”
“I’m sure we can come up with something. We were always good at getting ourselves out of situations.”
George smiled at me and patted my hand. “How are you feeling?”
“Bored. I want to get out of this bed.”
“Weren’t much for sitting around, were you?”
“No. This room looks smaller by the day.” And the broth Lucy kept feeding me was God awful. “How are you?”
“I’m good.”
“Yeah?” I pressed lightly. “Do you need me to write to anyone?”
“No, no.” He shook his head. “That has already been taken care of.”
I left it. If I pushed him too far, he would start getting defensive and we’d fight. He didn’t need that from me; I needed to be sensitive right now. A soft knock sounded at the door, and George went to go open it.
“My darling, what are you doing here?” the voice behind the door asked. I cringed; I could recognize that voice in a crowded room.
“I could ask you the same question, Mother,” George replied. “Lady Bennett, I’m also surprised to see you. Did I miss a meeting?”
Cecilia chuckled. “Oh no, dear. We came to check in on my dear Ava.”
I rolled my eyes; she was here for another reason and I dreaded hearing it. I knew that I was going to be either annoyed, furious, or exhausted after the conversation. Perhaps all three.
Both the women walked into the room. Cecilia was regally dressed, as always, in a cream gown laced with silver, and Lady Bennett was close to match. She wore an expensive pink gown, but it didn’t hide the long, bent nose and small lips. Caroline was very thin and unseemly, I was surprised George thought his father would buy his phony courtship. She must be extremely rich; that’s the only way Edward would consider it being real.
“How are you feeling?” Cecilia asked, actually sounding concerned, and I smiled weakly.
“Much better, thank you, Your Majesty,” I answered. Cecilia patted my leg lightly.
“My dear, I don’t think you’ve met Lady Bennett.” She motioned for Caroline to come near.
I eyed Cecilia and then Caroline. Cecilia would love this match; she could easily summon the girl to her beck and call, and keep her power and influence.
“I haven’t. It is very nice to meet you, Lady Bennett. I wish I had been able to meet you more properly, and in a public place.” I looked at Cecilia. “But we are here now.”
“Oh, the pleasure is mine!” Caroline said with a curtsy. “I’ve heard so much about you. I was hoping that we’d be fast friends, for when I am Georgie’s wife, I would need all the help I can get. Plus, I would be able to help find—”
“That is enough, dear,” Cecilia interrupted. She turned around to look at her son. “I thought you and Caroline would like to spend some time in the garden. It’s a warm day, and you need some air.”
George looked at me. We had a secret signal when we were children; two long blinks to let the other know they were okay. I blinked twice. He smiled and nodded.
“Of course.” He held out his arm for Caroline to take. “I will be back later, A.”
I smiled at him before he left the room with the viper. Cecilia settled into her chair and sighed.
“That woman will never be Queen,” she suddenly said. “She drives me senseless with her never-ending chatter.” Cecilia moaned and rubbed her forehead, as though preventing a headache. “I don’t know what George was thinking. If he was trying to put me at my wits end, he succeeded.”
“Have you spoken to him about it?” I asked.
“George is too grown and prideful. He thinks he knows what is best for him.”
I shrugged. “Maybe he does.” Cecilia rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“When you have sons of your own, my dear, you’ll realize they are blinded by love or lust. Or both. George just needs a little push sometimes.” She leaned forward. “George wants to marry you.”
“I don’t believe so,” I countered. “We’ve spoken about it previously, and with all due respect—I don’t want the role.” Cecilia didn’t look surprised. She just stood to pour herself some wine and looked over her
shoulder.
“It definitely has its challenges,” Cecilia admitted. “Do you want some?” I shook my head; my stomach wouldn’t appreciate it. “There are many advantages that outweigh those challenges. You can start orphanages for parentless children, feed the poor…your possibilities are endless.”
I would confess that it sounded enticing, but the answer was still no.
“I will have to think about it,” I replied in a neutral tone. Cecilia nodded and swirled her wine in her glass. There was no use arguing with her about it; I’d get nowhere.
“Good. I know it is much to think about. If you do decide to it, I would suggest a fall wedding. The leaves will be beautiful colors. The summer will be full, with Lord Cranfield getting married and, well...you already know how I feel about that.”
I stilled.
Garrett is getting married.
That was impossible. He would have told me. He wouldn’t marry someone—well, I had hoped he wouldn’t. Not after that night at the town’s party. He wouldn’t do this to me.
But you were possibly going to marry his brother.
“You look like as though I hit you with a shock, my darling.” Cecilia had walked over to my bedside and placed a cool hand on my arm. “Didn’t you know?” No words left my mouth. It went dry and tears threatened to wash over my eyes.
“I didn’t think he was the marrying type,” I finally ground out, and Cecilia sat down.
“Any man is the marrying type when there are things that could benefit him.”
I couldn’t help it. I had to know.
“What would those be for him?”
“I believe Edward said more money. His Majesty said that Garrett wanted to build that little group of men up and he needed the funds to do so. Between us, Lady Chitwood is a little wench. There wouldn’t be any other reason to marry her but for the money.”
I knew how much the Elite Eight meant to him, but to marry for money? I didn’t know much about his financials, but this seemed superficial for him.
“Are you sure?”
Cecilia faked sincerity in her voice. “Oh, Ava. Yes, I am sure. You look ill, darling.”
“I’m just very tired. I haven’t regained all my strength back yet.”
“And here I am, talking your ear off. We will discuss more of it later. Rest, my dear.” She placed a small kiss on my forehead. “I will send your girls in to tend to you.”
She left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. I settled in my bed and pulled the white cotton sheets over my head. I didn’t want to be disturbed, and when Lucy and Miranda entered the room minutes later, I asked them to leave, saying I wanted to rest and take a nap. I also demanded no one enter my room; I knew Garrett would come to see me early afternoon.
I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t bear to hear his deep voice and watch the way his blue eyes pierced my soul. My head was right in keeping a strong distance from him. I needed to keep my head together. I wasn’t going to lose the only thing I had to another enemy.
The man trying to steal my heart.
Whether he knew it or not.
Ava
Chapter 21
I knew I was acting like a coward, but I let myself wallow in self-pity. From the pacing back and forth, I’d made a visible wear mark on the carpet in my bedroom. I was being so stupid, letting myself get worked up over a man who clearly had other plans, and was only stringing me along, like a naive girl. This wasn’t me, someone who submitted to wallowing, but I didn’t have the courage to face him yet. Thankfully, Lucy and Miranda kept him at bay, each the eight times he came to see me in the last three days. My curiosity was directed to the outside of my room at what people were saying about the pity gatherings between Garrett and me. It was hard to miss, the connection we had, the way he looked at me; it made me cringe.
Sitting at my vanity, Miranda braided my hair while Lucy was going on about how some Lady Samantha was caught kissing a man in a closet, when knuckles rapped on my bedroom door. I rolled my eyes; it being the most familiar sound over the last few days, and the one that made my stomach twist from just the thought of him outside my door.
“Same answer,” I told Miranda as she handed Lucy the hairbrush. Looking in the mirror, I pinched my cheeks. My eyes were sunken from lack of sleep and my skin was pasty from shortage of sunlight.
“Lady Ava,” Miranda said. “A Lady Hara Cranfield is here to see you.”
Excitement leapt within me as I jumped from the chair.
“Send her in!” I clapped my hands.
Hara rounded the corner, her willowy arms extended in the air, and she smiled. “Oh Ava, darling!” She beamed. Running up to her, I embraced her in a hug. “I’ve missed you so!”
“I can’t believe it’s you!” I replied, squeezing her little frame. I moved her to arm’s length and stared at her. Standing at about my height, she still had her perfectly straight nose, cinnamon skin, and chestnut eyes. “You are so beautiful!”
She let out a small laugh. “Oh, my dear, you as well. But you still look fragile and pale. Should you be out of bed?” She looked over my shoulder at Miranda and Lucy.
“I feel much better, Hara. Don’t worry about me.” I linked her arm through mine, taking her to a sofa near the fireplace. “Tell me about you. I want to hear everything you’ve been doing.”
Hara placed her hand on mine. “Oh, Mama took me traveling for a year, and then we went back home for two months. Now we’re here, only because I wanted to see Garr. But it’s such a culture shock. Telliva is so outdated with their decorum, where everywhere else I’ve traveled is more light and free.”
I asked Lucy to bring us some wine before saying, “I would love to go with you the next time you go home.”
“Would you?” Hara exclaimed, happiness filling her eyes. “Mama would love to escort you, and I would adore teaching you Arunian music. They also have a fabulous shop full of ribbons, hair pins, and shoes. I visit it more than Mama would like.” She shifted in her seat, giving me a mischievous look. “Though, the attire would be something you’d need to get used to. The Arunan people show more skin.”
Touching her arm, I squeezed softly. “How scandalous. Now I can’t wait to go.”
Hara laughed. “You are still too funny. I’ll ask Garrett to plan the next trip and see when—”
“No,” I blurted, and Hara lifted a brow. “I mean...it would be more enjoyable with just us girls. We can go shopping all day long and spend time together—just us two.”
She smiled. “That would be more fun. I could teach you the dances as well.”
“I would enjoy that very much.” I nodded toward the window behind us. “I intend to travel once this madness has passed. I’ve missed out on so much.”
Hara placed a hand on my leg. “You have. And we’ll enjoy it together.” She paused for a moment. “Ava...you’ve been dodging my brother, haven’t you?”
I shifted in my seat, clenching a little bit of my dress. “Why would you say that?”
Lucy came in with two glasses and a bottle, placing them on my small coffee table. Thanking her, I was grateful to be able to do something with my hands.
“It’s just that…” Hara continued when Lucy left the room. “Well, what I am trying to say is...I’m speaking out of turn. I’m sorry.” She clutched her hands on her lap.
“Never apologize.” I swallowed, popping the cork of the wine bottle. “We used to tell each other everything.”
Hara’s eyes fell to the floor. “I wish none of this had happened; it used to keep me up most nights. I worried for your safety and almost died of fright when Garrett told me of your injury.”
I handed her one of the wine glasses. “Your brother was very helpful,” I deadpanned.
Hara smirked over her glass. “I think he was smitten with you then.”
My breathing slowed. I didn’t want to think about that. “Oh, I doubt that, silly. I was just a young girl.”
Hara sipped her wine, eyeing me for clues. When my
face remained void of emotion, she went on, “Why wouldn’t he? You’re a beautiful woman, Ava.” I forced a chuckle, smacking her arm lightly as I took a large sip of wine. “What ails you then? You look pasty and thin.”
She nodded to my food tray that still held my untouched breakfast. “Are you eating?”
“I’ve eaten better than a queen here.”
Hara cocked her head to the side. “Then what is it?”
I weighed my options; keep lying about it, or just come out with it, so she’ll leave it be and I can move on with my life. If I told her to leave it be, she would.
I think.
Plus, I hadn’t talked to anyone about it and it was killing me not to be able to converse about it.
“I’m afraid I’ve become somewhat smitten with your brother.”
Hara’s eyes widened but looked as though she suspected it already. “That is marvelous! Now you’ll become my sister.”
I shook my head grimly, bringing my wine glass back up to my lips. “He is arranged to marry Sophia Chitwood.”
Hara furrowed her thin brows. “Marry? Who is—”
I waved my hand in the air. “I’m fine. She is some Lady who lives here. A daughter of a judge.”
“But he said George and himself were coming up with a plan to make sure he wasn’t going to be forced to marry. I believe he wants to marry you.”
“I have too much pride to fight for someone who is already engaged to another,” I avowed. “Plus, it’ll free me from being tied down again. I want to travel and see the world.”
“Garrett would never hold you back from doing that,” Hara objected, swirling the wine in her glass. I didn’t want to speak of him anymore, but I owed his sister this opportunity to get what she wanted out, so I could be done with it.
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m fine. I promise you.” I patted her lap. “I am so happy you came to see me.”
Hara nodded. “As am I, sweet Ava.” Placing her wine glass down, she stood. “I have some things I need to get to the bottom of. I’ll come back and visit soon.”
I rose to hug her, and she said nothing further, only giving me a small smile as she left the room. I wondered how much grief she was going to give Garrett.
