Father nodded. I took another step toward him and stopped myself. Any closer, and I’d be tried for attempted murder. No, murder. Rage and fear were the only two things coursing through my veins, which was a dangerous combination.
“Have you lost your damn mind? That man gets married every few months. Doesn’t he have over nine wives? Some go missing!”
He picked up his glass, taking a sip. “He is powerful and is favored upon by his people. We are losing support and money for our assassins’ search. The Lords think they are spending too much of their money. They are starting to lose interest.”
“We don’t need them!” I exclaimed. “I have my men. They’re loyal to me, paid by me and my lands. We don’t need their money."
“And how long will your money hold out? Can it support thousands of people? And your eight men are going to protect this whole kingdom, Garr? We have no leads on this enemy. No one knows where they come from, who their leader is. I’m growing tired of going around in circles.” Father rubbed his forehead and reached into his pocket with his other hand, pulling out a cigar and a box of matches.
I sat across from him. “You are losing faith in me.”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I grow tired of these terrorists not making a mistake for us to catch them.” He struck a match, lighting his cigar with a few puffs, and returned his attention back to me. “I won’t be around forever, Garr. I need to leave this country in peace before George leads it. I have to do this before I die.”
“You’re as strong as an ox. You might just outlive us all,” I grumbled, then held out my hand for him to pass me the cigar.
Father leaned over the table to pass it off. “I need you to do this for George, Hara, this country. I need you married to Chitwood. Her alliance will keep us moving, if not make us stronger than before.” I took a hit off the cigar and groaned as he continued, “You can have a mistress, I’ll even lead the search in the most beautiful one for you. One from the other side of the Earth, if you wish. But this needs to happen—whether it is you...or Hara.”
My heart plummeted. I never thought it would come to this. Now I understood why Ava was so scared to come here. My father’s power reached everyone, even forcing his own children into arrangements. My jaw twitched at the thought of Ava going through this, feeling every ounce of fury she must have felt.
“There has to be someone else, anyone else. There are hundreds of other possibilities that—”
“Garr,” he replied slowly. “You are my son, my eldest. You will always hold a special place in my heart. But in the eyes of others, you are my bastard. Lord Chitwood is the only man of power who has considered such an agreement. Understand, in order for your brother to be successful, sacrifices must be made.”
“That sacrifice being your children.” I growled. “Hara or I would have to suffer under circumstances like this, for the rest of our lives.”
Father sighed. “Unfortunately, yes. I see no other way around it.”
I looked at my father, determined to be free of Sophia. “I will find another way.”
“Lord Chitwood wants an answer soon. He is not a patient man.”
“He will wait. No other Lord will submit to having that whore as a wife.”
Ava
Chapter 18
Meet me at eleven in the stables. I owe you a date at the Melon Berry picnic.
Garr
My heart skipped as I pressed my lips together. Not only was I excited to get out of this mundane castle—and sneaking out was half the fun—but my giddiness was aimed toward him. I craved more of the fluttery reaction Garrett made me feel, but if I stayed too close, something other than my skin would melt. And that organ was off limits for now.
I rang for Lucy and Miranda, then walked to my oak ambry to fetch my riding pants and a shirt.
“Yes, Your Grace?” Lucy greeted a few minutes later, her blonde hair disheveled as she strode in my bedroom. She straightened her pink gown and stood still, waiting for my response.
“Are you all right?” I asked with furrowed brows. Lucy walked to me, taking my clothes from my hands, giving me a small grin.
“Quite all right.” She laid my pants out on my comforter. “Were you going out for a midnight ride?”
“Something like that.” I sauntered toward her and leaned against one of the wooden bed poles. I crossed my arms with a smirk. “You were with Dominic, weren’t you?” My voice was soft. I didn’t mind that she hid away for secret little kisses and alone time. I envied it, in a way.
“Of course not,” she answered too quickly, busying herself with laying out my shirt and smoothing it over with her hands.
“You know I don’t mind, don’t you?” She nodded, but kept silent. “Then why are you keeping it a secret from me?”
Lucy glanced at me before her eyes lowered.
“Aubrey McYink was sent back to her family in disgrace when Lady Chitwood told her family that she had intimate relations with a man.”
Dropping my arms to my sides, I huffed. “And what business is that of hers?”
“She was Lady Chitwood’s lady-in-waiting.”
I shrugged. “And?”
Lucy stood straight and looked at me. “And I can’t go back to my family. My father is abusive, and my mother is a fool.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder, hurt that she compared me to Sophia Chitwood.
“I would never do that to you, Lucy. It’s your life to live, not mine to rule.”
Lucy bowed her head. “I know, my Lady. It’s just a little scary is all.”
I pulled her into a small hug, not wanting to push her further. “You needn’t fear me. You probably have more secrets on me than I care to know about.” Lucy chuckled, pulling away from me.
“I would never betray your trust,” she replied with a small grin.
I returned it. “Good. Could you prove it to me by getting me a hat?”
“A hat, my Lady?” Lucy repeated, raising her brow.
“And I need my hair pulled up under it, can you manage that?”
Lucy held up a finger and started for the door. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Taking a deep breath, I walked to my long mirror hanging alongside my closet. Turning from side to side, I examined my figure. I groaned inwardly. I’d have to strap down my breasts and wear a larger shirt to hide my hips. Pulling my hair back, I imagined how to pin it to keep strands of hair falling from the hat I was going to wear. My hair was long and thick—too thick. Opening my vanity drawer, I took out a handful of hair pins. It didn’t need to be neat, just out of the way. Playing with it, I thought of what awaited me. Normal people at a regular party; no fancy dresses or hours of plastering makeup and hair in a specific way. It sounded liberating, casual even.
Grabbing a handkerchief, I started wiping away my blush, pink lip powder, and black eye pencil from my eyes, making my face feel light and airy. Looking back up at the mirror, with my hair half pinned up, I winced. My freckles brightened my cheeks without the blush, but if I had my hair pulled away, I might be able to pull this off.
Tonight was for me.
Tonight, I was going to be reckless.
Tonight, Ava Barlow didn’t exist.
∞∞∞
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” I greeted, striding toward him, feeling the soft dirt under my riding boots. “I had to dodge a few people. I almost ran into George.”
“That would have been”—his eyes inched across my body, lingering over my hips and breasts as a small smile spread across his deviously handsome face—“a disaster.”
A blush blazed on my face. “Are you ready to leave?” I started fidgeting with my fingers, and he nodded. “Great.”