Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(49)

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I didn’t remember when I fell asleep, or how. I found myself on the floor, with half my pants off and hands out of my sleeves. I had drank heavily, I remembered that. I paced the room, tried to read, but to no avail. I more than likely passed out.

I quickly got dressed and washed my face, ignoring the raging headache I had. I told John to reschedule my meeting with the captain of the guard to later in the afternoon; I had to go check in on Ava, and was greeted with no news. Ava was still unconscious, and her lady’s maids were at her side all day and night, which gave me small comfort. I found George and asked him to conduct the investigation with me, to which he agreed quickly. He didn’t look like he slept well either.

“We questioned everyone,” John reported, when the three of us were back in my study. “One of the men noticed a young maid acting strangely and interrogated her thoroughly. She babbled on about how a well-dressed man approached her and threatened her family if she didn’t poison Lady Stratford.”

“And Lady Barlow?” I asked. John shook his head.

“She was caught in the crossfire, my Lord. Lady Barlow wasn’t supposed to be harmed.”

“Kill her,” George blurted out, directing our attention to him. George was upset, but I’d never heard him act so mercilessly before.

“George—”

“She took a life. She took the risk of getting caught. She was found out; now, she must pay.” George stood from his chair and walked out of the room, his word final. I sighed loudly.

“Hold off,” I ordered John. “He is upset; we’ll let him cool down.”

John bowed his head in acknowledgement and left the room. I felt emotionally drained, concerned with both Ava’s health and George’s sanity. George was normally so calm and collected, I knew he had reached his boiling point. I racked my brain, trying to think of how to make my brother’s life easier, but how could I? Until I killed the invisible men who terrorized my family, there was no rest or comfort.

A knock on the door sounded and I yelled for whoever it was to enter. I looked up to see a slim blonde enter my study wearing a dark blue dress, the sleeves around her upper arm and off her shoulders.

Sophia.

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.