Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(50)

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.”