Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(72)

Eve tugged on my arm. “Ava,” she whispered, “there’s a woman heading this way, and she doesn’t look happy. Is that the—”

“Lady Barlow.” The voice cut through Eve’s words. I looked over to see Sophia Chitwood making her way to us. My heart pounded, adrenaline coursing through my blood. “I must speak to you on an urgent manner.”

I didn’t say a word, taken aback by her puckered forehead painted in red; from annoyance or rage, I wasn’t sure which. I bet on both, though, as she approached, hands clenched in fists at her sides.

“We must discuss Lord Cranfield,” she continued, her face serious and determined.

“I’d rather not,” I replied, crossing my arms, annoyance in my voice.

Sophia glared at me. “Lord Cranfield and I have had relations. You, Lady Barlow, are a nuisance to my future. I won’t stand for it.”

“And what is it that you aren’t standing for?”

“You are trying to cloud his mind,” Sophia accused, pointing a finger at me. “We both know the ending to this story; I just don’t think you want to accept it. You were assumed to be the future queen, until you were rejected by His Grace. Now, to keep yourself within the family, you’ve gone for his older brother, who is my fiancé.”

I let out a small laugh. “You don’t know anything about my ties with the royal family. Shouldn’t you be discussing this with Lord Cranfield?”

“I already have; in fact, I just left his bedchambers moments ago.” A smirk plastered on her face.

That ticked a nerve inside me. She could just waltz in his room and he let her?

“I’ll speak to whomever I please, Lady Chitwood. Furthermore, if you think this ‘talk’ is to scare me or warn me away, you are sadly mistaken. I’ve been through far worse than this petty warning you’re handing me. I think we are done here.” I linked my arm with Eve’s to walk away, but Sophia entered my personal space, stepping in front of me, mere inches away.

“We are not done until I hear you say that you will stay away from him,” she sneered, seething. “You have everyone here fooled, but I see right through you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were behind all these attacks on the royals.” She tried to tower over me, but we were about the same height, so half an inch didn’t do her much good.

“Don’t push me, Chitwood. I have no problem slapping the ignorance out of that blonde little head of yours.” Eve placed a hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off. I could handle her on my own. I didn’t need to calm down. I had a right to be pissed.

“How dare you try to threaten me!” Sophia screeched, grinding her jaw. “I will have you excommunicated by everyone in this palace, mark my words. Enjoy the last small amount of time you have left here. Our wedding will be by the year’s end.” She pointed to herself. “Cranfield is mine, and no little convent whore is going to take him away from me.”

Red burned into my gaze. Suddenly, Sophia yelped, holding her cheek and stepping backward. Her eyes rounded before they narrowed, the rage returning into them. I had punched her; hard, apparently, because my fist stung.

“You bitch!” she bellowed, rubbing her cheek. As she removed her hand, I saw the red mark from my fist. Sophia went to slap me, but Eve stepped in front of her.

“That’s enough!” Eve cried. “There is more where that came from, trust me. It is in your best interest to leave.” Sophia looked at Eve, her face twisting.

“She hit me!” she gawked. Eve stood her ground, inching closer to protect me, but I placed my hand on her shoulder to move her.

“I got this, Eve. She couldn’t hit to save her own damn life,” I ground out, looking at Sophia in silent challenge.

“Oh, I can hit you, all right,” Sophia spit. “I’ve had my fair share of vexing females.”

“I’m sure you have; probably from you sleeping with their husbands.” Sophia flew toward me, her arm outstretched for my hair, when a voice bellowed through the halls, halting her steps.

“Well, what do we have here, ladies?”

It was George. Sophia looked at him and tamped down her temper. I, on the other hand, didn’t. My nostrils flared. I wanted to kill her, rip her apart with my bare hands. I flexed my fingers, itching at the thought that she was going to give me exactly what I wanted—another reason to inflict more pain. I couldn’t remember a time when I was so mad; even more than when George had thrown my favorite doll out a window. I remembered punching him too. Hence, one of his black eyes.

The stress and aggravation I’d been feeling the last few days crawled through my veins, turning me into a violent, envious woman. And I didn’t like the person it was turning me into.

This was too much.

“Just a friendly chat between ladies,” Sophia bit out, plastering a fake smile on her face. George looked at all three of us, settling on my face the longest. I never shifted my gaze off Sophia.

“I don’t know about the friendly part,” George said. “I believe I came just in time.”

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I have”—Sophia looked at me—“plans to attend to.” She curtsied to George and left the group. I knew this wasn’t going to be over; she would seek me out again.

“Wonderful to see you again, Lady Evelyn,” George greeted, turning his attention to us and placing a kiss on her hand. She answered, but I didn’t hear her. I was spiraling down from a whirlwind of rage, adrenaline and, worst of all, jealousy.