Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(57)

I stepped away from her and walked back over to Papa’s desk. “I was sick. Nothing more to the story.”

“Then why are you getting defensive?”

I peered over my shoulder. “Because you’re starting it.”

“Starting what?”

“Eve…” I growled.

“I might act flighty in front of men, but I’m not an idiot. The glow is out of your eyes; you look defeated.” Eve walked over to Papa’s desk and sat in a chair.

“I’m defeated because I’ve had no sleep,” I responded.

“Because… What happened?” I sighed, then told her everything, and she waited patiently for me to finish.

“Well...you’ve been busy.”

“Too busy,” I complained.

“Are you sure it was true? The queen isn’t the most trustworthy person.”

“I believe him,” I confessed.

Eve crossed her arms. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem is that he’s angry at me over George and my arrangement. It’s just…the audacity that he has when he speaks to me. Like, since he has all these men protecting me, he believes I should do as he asks. He said that I couldn’t marry George. I don’t want to, Eve, but I don’t want him unhappy or in a horrid situation.”

She eyed me. “Why would he think he had a right to have any say in what you do?”

I paused for a moment, getting ready for Eve’s mouth to run a mile a minute with my next words.

“He kissed me...a few times, and I felt like…like he liked me, I guess.”

Her lips quirked at the corners of her mouth. “How many is a few?”

Narrowing my eyes, I said, “A few.”

“Then that’s where he thinks he can voice his strong opinion.” She let out a chuckle. “Over his brother, no less.”

I grumbled. “I never want to see him again. He’s impossible”

Eve chuckled. “Well, don’t swear off men forever. Lord Ashton has been inquiring about your coming back for the last few weeks.”

I groaned. “Please don’t start that again.”

“I promise you, I won’t. I’m just warning you that once he knows you’re home, he will come and call.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’ll be busy.”

“Be nice, A. He has always been kind to you,” Eve scoffed.

“I know he has. I just prefer not to be gawked at and flirted with. I’ve had enough of that nonsense for a while.”

“Lord Cranfield gawked at you?” Eve exclaimed, as she clapped her hands.

“With longing in his eyes.” I batted my eyelashes, then rolled my eyes.

“How romantic!”

I frowned. “Oh, enough of it already.”

“He was so handsome too,” Eve wailed. I tried not to think about that fact. He was wickedly handsome, especially when his eyes grew dark as he looked at me.

Mr. Brooks entered the room silently, making us both jump when he spoke. “Lady Barlow, a visitor has requested to see you.”

I frowned. “Must you scare the living daylights out of me, Brooks?”

Mr. Brooks bowed his head. “I apologize, my Lady.”

“If it is Lord Ashton, I’m busy in a business meeting.”

“No, my Lady. It is a Lord William Reddington.”

Reddington? What in the world was he doing here?

“Stay away from Reddington.” Garrett’s voice echoed in my head.

“Fix my hair, quickly,” I told Eve. Looking over at Brooks, I asked, “Can you buy me a few moments?” Brooks nodded and left the room.

“Who is Lord Reddington?” Eve inquired, tucking strands of hair in my hair pins.

I straightened my posture. “A friend from the castle.”

Eve giggled. “I can’t wait to meet this friend.”

I smiled at her. “Oh, you’ll like him.”

“Did we share kisses with this friend too?” She curled a piece of my hair with her finger.

I laughed. “I can’t stand you sometimes, Evelyn.”

“I love you too, darling,” Eve jeered. Before I could answer, the blond-haired god walked into the room. Dressed casually, in black slacks and a light coat made of blue wool, Reddington’s hair was out of sorts, falling to the right of his forehead. His sharp blue eyes made him look dangerously becoming.

He bowed deeply before greeting me. “My Lady Barlow, I deeply apologize for not sending word that I would be coming by. Once I heard of your father, I came right away, only stopping to obtain fresh horses.”

“Holy hell,” Eve murmured beside me.

“Lord Reddington,” I said with a smile, standing to greet him. “It’s always good to see you, but you needn’t have come all this way.”

He looked at me with pure concern on his face. His brows knitted together while he fumbled with his hat. “It was no trouble. I brought another of the royal physicians to make sure your father was getting the best of care. George had told me he sent one behind you, but I wanted two doctors, just to be sure.”

“I don’t know how to thank you enough.” Eve nudged my back. “May I introduce to you my friend, Lady Evelyn Pratt.”