Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(30)

“Lady Stratford,” Garrett asked, extending his arm, “may I have the next set?”

Madelyn held a delicate hand to her chest. “I would be extremely honored, Lord Cranfield.”

As the couple walked toward the dance floor, George cleared his throat.

“I have some news.”

“Oh?” I replied, observing the familiar pearl white walls etched with gold panels.

“I’m breaking off my courtship with Madelyn,” he stated flatly.

My focus jerked toward him. “What? Why?”

“Father happened,” George spat.

“He doesn’t like her?”

George played with the sleeves of his black jacket. “No, he has no issues with Maddy, other than her gentle approach would not produce a good Tellivan queen.”

I furrowed my brows. “What’s wrong with being gentle?”

George shook his head. “Nothing, by my standard.”

“But if she loves you, then—”

“Father wants me to find another potential wife in a week.”

“A week?”

“Or else he wants me to marry you.”

I froze. Edward didn’t waste any time.

“Garrett and I are already searching for candidates.” I forced an appreciative smile, my chest constricting while the walls caved in. It was as though shackles were coming up from the pearl marble floor, already latching on, attempting to keep me prisoner here for life.

“You won’t find someone in a week. Let’s be honest; she won’t be worth the crown,” I replied. “It’s okay, George.” I placed a hand on his forearm.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn’t come down to you being stuck with me in marriage,” he vowed. I believed he would try, but he would fail. I wasn’t going to be na?ve about this, Edward would win. George knew it just as much as I did; he was just in denial.

I inhaled deeply. “I’ll agree to it.”

George’s head shot up. “What?”

“I’ll agree to it. We’ll get married.” My stomach turned, every thought about me travelling with Eve and experiencing new adventures beginning to sail away.

George grabbed my hand. “I can’t let you do that. It’s too large a sacrifice.”

“We’ve both made sacrifices, George. You’ve kept me safe, provided me protection, and you continue to do so. We understand each other; our marriage wouldn’t be terrible.”

“One of us would kill the other in less than a month.” I forced a chuckle as George’s face grew solemn. “Give me a chance. I have a week.”

“If I don’t approve of the woman, we will do this. I’m serious.”

George bowed. “Agreed. Now c’mon, you owe me a dance.” With that, he grabbed my arm and led me out to the dance floor, with no room for argument.

The dance was a freestyle and George kept me on my toes. He twirled me around and clasped my hands as we went under other couple’s arms. Fits of laughter left my body as George kept my mind on the music and not on the worries of our future. When our dance ended, George snatched me a beverage as he escorted me off the floor.

“I have a surprise for you. Something I think you’ll enjoy,” George told me.

I raised a brow with a smile. “What kind of surprise?”

“How about I show you?” He took my arm.

“Now? We haven’t been here but for a moment.”

“I am the Prince of Telliva. I can leave whenever I please.” He stopped. “Unless you’d like to wait until the celebration is deceased, and we’ve all died of boredom.”

“I’m ready.”

George shrugged. “We can dance one more time if you wish, and—”

“George,” I chided. He smiled, guiding me out of the ballroom.

∞∞∞

I stood in the hallway outside the ballroom, eyes wide and mouth agape. “I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, still in disbelief that Sam was standing in front of me. A foot taller, with facial hair and the same glinting green eyes, my best friend gave me a crooked smile.

“I’m going to head in,” George said, placing his hand briefly on my forearm. He nodded at Sam and left us alone. I embraced Sam, closing my eyes.

“For a few days,” Sam said, his voice a lower hum than I remembered. He squeezed me and chuckled. “You act like you haven’t seen me in forever.”

I lifted my head. “I haven’t seen you in years,” I countered. “How are you here?”

“George sent for me,” he replied. “You were right; he isn’t so bad.”

“Told you.” I stepped away, examining him. “You’ve grown up so much.”

Sam squinted. “I wasn’t a kid when you last saw me,” he retorted.

I grinned. “You acted like one.”

Sam chuckled. “Says the girl who used to pout when Micah told you no.”

“I didn’t pout.”

“You may have not realized it, but you pouted. You pouted a lot.”

I slapped his chest, regretting it as numbness prickled through my fingers.

“You’re full of shit, Samuel,” I chortled.