Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(62)

“I’ll be fine. Don’t fret yourself. I’m tired of soup and bread, and that cruel cook of yours won’t feed me anything else until I have the strength to come down for dinner,” he grumbled.

Mrs. Reynolds knew how to push him to get better soon. It worked, I’d give her that. She wouldn’t even let me sneak small snacks to his room, saying she’d skin me alive.

“Ava, you haven’t mentioned anything about the castle. Did they treat you well?” Papa asked, sitting on the edge of his bed, putting on one of his shoes.

I froze, but only for a moment. “Very well,” I answered, not able to meet his eyes. He’d see it. The dishonesty and turmoil on my face. I wasn’t about to add more to his plate.

“Everything still the same?”

No.

“Yes. The queen is still a terror, but she has aged beautifully. I can still beat the king at chess, and George has been chastising me almost every day.”

“But still something is amiss?” he countered.

I turned to face him, trying my best to keep my expression neutral. “What do you mean?”

His voice softened. “The light in your eyes has dimmed, along with your spunk. You’ve acted the role of active, caring daughter, but the grit is gone.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Just tired, Papa. I’ve been up reading at night for too long.”

“You won’t confide in me?” he accused, jerking his head in my direction. He was the only blood relative I had. He had a right to know.

“It’s hard to talk about, Papa,” I confessed. I sat on the side of his bed and looked down at my hands, demanding my tears stay put. I told him that Edward was forcing George’s hand, but nothing about Garrett. Those details I’d leave out. I had almost convinced myself that I was okay. That he meant nothing to me, and that it was something in the very distant past.

Papa pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Edward can be a pushy man, Ava, but he sounds desperate to me. Especially if he hasn’t sent word to me about marrying off my only daughter. I won’t stand for this.”

“We’ll speak about this later, Papa. Dinner should be ready, and I’m sure our guests are famished.”

He nodded, putting on his other shoe before leaving the room.

We walked together, arm in arm, down the stairs and through the halls, into the dining room where Eve, Reddington, and Lord Ashton waited for us to join. My eyes met Lord Ashton as he stood, politely wearing a grin.

Clenching my jaw, I looked over to Eve, who shook her head, implying she hadn’t invited him.

“Lord Ashton, how wonderful it is to see you,” I welcomed with a tight smile. Rounding the table, he walked over to me.

“I hope I am not intruding,” he began, placing his lips on my hand, then brought his eyes up to mine. “But I couldn’t resist. I ran into Lady Evelyn earlier today and invited myself.”

I forced a smile and looked over his bent head at my best friend, who rolled her eyes.

“No intrusion at all,” I assured him. “We love having anyone and everyone show up.”

Reddington covered his mouth, looking over his hand at me. He must had caught on to my sarcasm. As Lord Ashton pulled out my chair, I held my gaze with Reddington and winked at him. He beamed, with that smile that could bring any woman to her knees.

Eve sat beside me, unfolding her napkin and dropping it in her lap.

“I swear I didn’t do it, A,” she whispered.

“It’s all right.” I patted her hand on the table.

To my dismay, Reddington sat across from me while Ashton took the seat to my right. I reached under the table and smacked Eve’s leg.

“What was that for?” she hissed under her breath.

I chuckled. “For not removing the other chair.”

Eve giggled, smacking me back playfully.

Papa kept the dinner conversation light, asking Ashton about his daughter and how business was going, while the first course was brought out. Piping hot cabbage soup simmered in front of me, which made me glance at Papa. He’d had nothing but soup for days.

“Reddington looks green with envy,” Eve muttered, blowing on a spoonful of soup.

“How so?”

“He has been staring daggers at Ashton ever since he took the seat beside you.”

Looking over the lit candles on the dining table, I noticed his brows furrowed. Peering back at Eve, I raised a brow. “You really missed your calling for matchmaking, didn’t you?”

“Ava, dear, must Mrs. Reynolds tease me with serving soup as the first course,” Papa complained, dipping his spoon into it and pouring it back in the bowl.

“Now, Papa,” I coaxed, “you know Mrs. Reynolds takes great pride in her food. I’m sure the next course will be more to your liking.”

“Great pride, she does,” Reddington agreed. “I’m tempted not to leave, just for the delicious meals I’ve been served over the last few days.”

“You’ve been staying in town then, my Lord?” Ashton asked, and Reddington looked up from his bowl.

“I’ve been here for”—he looked at me—“eight days, my dear?” I nodded. “And I’ve enjoyed my time here with Ava very much.” He looked at Papa. “Your daughter was kind enough to show me around your establishment.”