Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(69)

I clapped my hands. “That is a marvelous idea!”

Reddington smiled. “Then, Femme Fatale willing, this whole rebel ordeal will be over soon. Then you can come back home.”

“You act as though you’ve known me for years.”

He chortled. “I feel like I have.” He uncrossed his legs. “I’ll be sad to see you go, though.”

“Nonsense,” I interjected. “We still have to discuss ideas for your business. And we have strategies to come up with. You aren’t rid of me yet.”

“I’m very happy to hear it. I’ve become accustomed to you.”

“And I you,” I replied truthfully.

“I hope that by Cranfield being here, you weren’t...upset.”

I looked at him, surprised he would think that. Or was it written all over my face? “Why would you say that?”

Reddington looked down at his lap. “I don’t normally listen to gossip. In fact, I loathe it. But there is word going around that you may find Lord Cranfield to be more than a friend.”

“That’s all it is; gossip.”

Reddington didn’t push the subject; he just nodded and spouted off updates on his business. We carried on our conversation, like Cranfield hadn’t come in here and destroyed my sanity...again.

∞∞∞

Papa and I had a merry dinner together with no guests. It helped keep my mind from returning back into his study earlier today. My body felt empty with Garrett’s absence and I found myself listening for a knock at the door all day.

“Why are you picking at your dessert, dear?” Papa asked me, chewing on the raisin-spiced cake Mrs. Reynolds made.

“I don’t want to go back,” I confessed, keeping my eyes on my plate. “I’m being watched. Everything I do and say is being sent around to the gossip mills.”

Papa raised a brow. “And what is it that you’re doing?”

I sat back in my chair. Being ravished by Lord Cranfield, sneaking out of the castle. “Trying to not run into Her Majesty is the main goal.”

He chuckled. “I’ve been thinking,” he began, forking another bite of cake, “about your future. I think it’s time to end this charade of the royal family protecting you from something they can’t even protect themselves from.”

I looked up from my plate, intrigued. I exhaled, having wanted to hear those words for years. “What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes. “Do you have a band of secret men too, Papa?”

He shook his head. “Too much work, my dear. We need to come up with Plan B.” I placed my fork down, giving him my full attention. He’d never spoken about his obvious restlessness with the royal family before; I must be rubbing off on him. “I will allow the royal family to assist once more and prove me wrong. But I’ve requested His Majesty, himself, report to me weekly of the steps being taken to assure your safety. This does not include you being held like a prisoner within the walls. You are to live a reasonable, normal residence there. I entrust that Lord Cranfield will continue to use his men to put in place a plan that will be most fitting. In the meantime, my Plan B will be on standby, to take action if needed. “

“Are you going to inform me on this ‘Plan B’?” I probed patiently.

Papa placed down his utensils, his face lighting up, pleased with himself. “If the royal family fails to protect you or any of themselves, you will leave the castle. They have less than four months to make this madness with these assassins disappear and dealt with. I will not have you living this way for another year, I won’t stand for it. We will leave Bampshire and disappear.”

My eyebrows snap together. “Leave Bampshire?” I repeat, fidgeting with my fingers. “Where would we go?”

“I’ve been speaking with Mr. Torres, and—”

“But, Papa, he works for Cranfield.”

“Not anymore. I heard about your talk with him, and I had my own. We discussed a new contract and secrecy. The man is more than willing to serve our family without reporting to anyone. He answers to you and me now. We’ve spoken about secluded places; villages where the people don’t ask numerous questions or care when new people reside. I’ve decided on Idenlen.”

“Where is that?”

“Exactly!” he exclaimed, throwing up his hands. “Idenlen is a small village in Hegnen. Now, it will be an adjustment; the people aren’t as high-strung and proper as here. They are farmers. They bring you soup when you’re sick, they raise animals, and—”

“I like it already, Papa,” I assured him. The idea was beyond appealing. To start somewhere new, to live where people didn’t know me as the ‘ex-Queen.’ It sounded normal.

He plastered a smile to his face. “I’m so glad to hear it. It’s simple, and the people are tranquil. I know that is what you want. It is your chance to make your life whatever you want it to be.”

I leaned toward him, wrapping my arms around him. My eyes began to swell with tears. I couldn’t be more blessed to have him. “Thank you, Pa.”

He patted my back. “I just want you to be happy.” I pulled back from him, sitting back in my seat. “If something happens at the castle,” he continued, “send me a note with the word ‘sunset’ in it. I’ll know then that it is time to make the arrangements. We will meet halfway from here to the palace and travel there.”