Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(61)

But why the hell would she?

I was nothing to her. She was supposed to be nothing too but, as the days went on, I became more agitated that she wasn’t around. That I hadn’t heard from her.

Then John brought me the news yesterday that Reddington was in Bampshire with Ava. If I hadn’t suspected his intentions before, it was confirmed now. He was up something, and I didn’t trust the bastard.

After tonight, I would be done with all this. It was too much, and I didn’t even court the damn woman. I was angry at myself for getting into this web of emotions. I thought, after rescuing her, I’d never see her again. So, I enlisted my men to protect her until I had the assassins under control. It was for my peace of mind, with her being so young, that she’d be kept safe. Now it was turning into so much more.

“Do you need any company?” A voice broke through my thoughts. I turned and tried to focus on the figure before me. It was a woman. Curvy. Blonde hair. Ear-bleeding voice.

Shit.

I laughed. As if this night could get any worse.

“No,” I said. “My brandy is just fine company, thank you.” As always, Sophia did exactly the opposite of what I asked. She sat down in the chair across from me, pouring herself a glass, as if we were old friends.

“Brandy doesn’t talk back,” she continued.

I sighed heavily. “I’m aware, but it doesn’t argue with me either. That’s what makes it so pleasant.”

“Only in the morning, when you feel like curling in a ball, retching up your food.”

I chuckled. She was right for once; I would reap the consequences tomorrow. “Well...I never thought I’d make you laugh, Cranfield,” Sophia teased with a small smile.

I brought my glass to my lips. “I’m surprised myself, Chitwood.”

Sophia took a small sip of her brandy. “You’ve been keeping yourself busy. I haven’t seen you.” I nodded and continued to stare into the reds and yellows of the fire. “I heard that Lady Barlow left the castle.”

I shifted to face her, feeling how drunk I was when my arm began to give way at my weight.

“If you came here to talk to me about Lady Barlow, you can leave,” I ground out.

Sophia held up her hands in surrender. “Then we won’t discuss her,” she replied simply.

I squinted at her. “What do you want?”

Sophia looked at me innocently. “We don’t have to talk about a thing, if that is your wish.”

I snickered. “Now you want to be cordial? It doesn’t suit you.”

“You barely know me,” she countered.

Oh, I knew her; I had men spying on her at every minute. But I wasn’t drunk enough to loosen my tongue. Give me another hour. “I know enough.” I sank into the leather of my chair and crossed my legs.

“I didn’t know you listened to gossips, Garrett.”

“Only the facts,” I blurted, sipping more brandy.

“And those are?”

“I’m not drunk enough to release those yet.”

“That’s too bad. Thought you’d be better company.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

Sophia sat back in her chair and crossed her ankles. “What has you drinking so much, Cranfield? I didn’t think a female could hold such power over you?”

I glanced over at her and rolled my eyes. “I didn’t think you listened to gossips either.”

“Not normally, no. But ever since ‘She Who Shall Not Be Named’ left, you’ve been hard in your liquor.”

I reached for the bottle of brandy and tried to focus on putting more in my glass. The glass which spun in and out of my vision.

“Here.” Sophia leaned over and took the bottle from me, pouring my liquid friend for me. I held my drink in the air, in silent thanks, and took a sip. Sophia sat back in her chair and retrieved her glass from the nearby table. “Ava Barlow is nothing but a tease. An illusion to some goddess-like female, and while you blindsided men peer upon her as such, you all refuse to see her for what she is.”

I chuckled. “You’ve taken a special interest?”

Sophia chortled. “She would only be so lucky.”

“What was it again you wanted?” I taunted.

“Not a thing,” she answered. “I bid you good night, Lord Cranfield.” She curtsied and headed for the door.

“If you think your kind approach will sway me to marry you,” I responded before she left, “you’re dead wrong. Don’t push me any further. You’ll regret it.”

Sophia peered over her shoulder at me, her lips quirking.

She was never going to let it go.





Ava





Chapter 25





“Papa, are you sure you’re up to walking down the stairs? You’ve been in bed for nearly two weeks,” I asked as I helped him with his coat. Papa chuckled. I had made sure all his needs had been met, not that there were many. All the man needed was food and water, but I insisted on bringing him all three of his meals, reading the paper to him, and going over trade deals.

“Perfectly able. I’m starting to feel like the walls of this room are closing in on me.”

I looked at him, my tone serious. “If you feel lightheaded or short of—”