Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(99)

“I understand, Your Majesty.” She gave him a small smile. “I shall do whatever Lord Cranfield requires of his wife.”

I squeezed the arm of my chair as images of Ava entered my mind. I felt as though I was betraying her in the worst conceivable way by being in this room.

“Lord Chitwood, as you know, you will be releasing all your rights of your daughter into the hands of Lord Cranfield, and may not interfere in any way within their marriage. If there is infidelity within the marriage, a divorce may be issued. No provisions will be provided to Lady Chitwood if this takes place.”

Chitwood paused for a moment, thinking, before nodding.

“We’ll have the agreement made up for you to look over this week,” Reddington added.

Chitwood peered at me. “I have no problem signing anything you see fit, Your Majesty, as long as Lord Cranfield treats my daughter well.”

I leaned back deeper in my chair. “And what would that consist of, Judge?”

“No mistresses.”

I laughed.

Hard.

“I don’t think that is appropriate to ask,” George informed, steel in his voice.

Chitwood groaned, pushing himself up off his seat to lean closer. “It’s very appropriate to ask when there have been rumors that Cranfield is engaged to another at this moment. To Lady Barlow.”

Anger hit me, and my body went to react, but George plastered his hand to my forearm. “That is none of your concern,” George bit out, waving his hand dismissively.

“It is when my daughter will be the laughingstock of society.”

“Remember who you are talking to,” George growled. “Lady Barlow is a very close friend to the crown.”

Chitwood’s nose flared. “I mean no disrespect, Your Majesty. It is an honor for my daughter to marry your brother. But she has pride, like any other woman, and I will not have her upset with another woman.”

“You mean, just Lady Barlow,” I sneered. “Any other woman, Sophia would just chase away. But Ava doesn’t bow down to bullies.” My attention went to Sophia. “Didn’t she smack you, Lady Chitwood?”

Sophia’s face reddened, and I was sure it wasn’t from embarrassment.

“She did what?!” Chitwood bellowed. I covered my mouth with a hand, proud of my Avie, and knowing a smile wouldn’t help the situation.

“Any other requirements?” George piped up, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand.

Chitwood looked over at his daughter, who remained silent, even though she looked like she was seething through her teeth. Her eyes bore daggers at me.

“None that I can think of, but if I do, I’ll send notice,” Chitwood replied.

“I’m not signing shit,” I declared. Both sets of Chitwood eyes landed on me, as I stood up to leave. “See you at dinner, George.”





Ava





Chapter 40





The summer sun was bright and welcoming as I walked through the training grounds. Noticing two of the Elite Eight leaning against a gate, I waved at them. I really needed to learn their names.

Carrying a basket I got from Mr. Liason in the kitchen, I searched for Garrett. The idea of a surprise lunch was Eve’s idea, since she noticed he had been irked lately. Which, based on our conversation last night, we obviously both knew why.

“He needs special attention,” Eve told me, as we laid in her bed just talking. “We both know he doesn’t want to marry that scandalous little blonde. She makes us other blondes look bad.”

I chuckled. “I don’t know what to do about it. George hasn’t told me anything about if he can reverse it.”

“Do you think they can?”

I took a deep breath. “No.”

I wasn’t a na?ve girl anymore; happy endings only seemed to exist in the books I read. This world was too harsh and cruel to inflict any longtime joy in my direction. Or maybe it was the company I kept that made it feel that way. Being around the royals my whole life made living a little more difficult.

“Never say never.” Eve placed her small hand on mine. “We’ll get through this together.”

“And what if he must marry her, Eve? What do I do?”

She was silent for a moment as we laid there, looking at the high ceiling.

“I don’t know. We’ll worry about that if the time comes.”

Finding Garrett wasn’t hard. He was the only man yelling out orders while several groups of men practiced fighting with their swords. He circled them, watching their form, until his eyes settled on me.

He ordered something to his captain, then strode toward me. The sight of him still made my heart quicken. That this man was interested in marrying me, wanted to bed me, made my whole body warm at the thought.

He gave me a wolfish smile. “Hi,” he greeted in a low tone.

I didn’t know how that the word coming from him could make me feel so delicious, but it did. He held my eyes hostage with his beautiful blue ones.

“I’m sorry to interrupt.” I felt like a stupid girl who shouldn’t have been out here while more important things were happening.

He stepped closer to me, our bodies almost touching, as he peered down at me. “I missed you.”

I took in his scent; all male and fresh air. He was dressed in brown slacks and a white shirt that was unbuttoned at the top. He looked too attractive to even be real, and the stubble on his face made him look dangerously rugged.