“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.”
Papa laughed. “I believe she is more proud of it than I. It has flourished more in the years she has been back than when I was running it alone. I question sometimes what those nuns taught her.”
“If it is business sense,” Ashton spoke up, “I may send my daughter to visit them sometime.” Everyone laughed, except Reddington and myself. We both knew the trials I had to overcome by being there; it was no place for a young girl to thrive.
Papa clapped his hands in content as the second course of oven-baked chicken, boiled potatoes, and carrots was served. He continued babbling Reddington’s ear off about his businesses and what I had done to bring more money in the door. I continued to eat my meal, conscious of Lord Ashton’s stiff posture and Reddington’s quick glances in my direction, where he would always smile or smirk.
“Come with me,” Eve whispered, as she stood from the table. “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen. Ava and I will be back in just a moment.”
The men stood, Papa still chewing on his chicken. I stifled a laugh; the poor man acted as though he was starved. Eve led the way out of the room. We entered the adjoining doorway from the hall, into a space that served as a reading room.
Lined with beige paneling, the room was simple, with few paintings of various landscapes, a few vase plants, and plush white sofas that were easy to fall asleep in. The only magnificent thing about the room was the one wall filled with books from the floor to the ceiling. Dimly lit above with a wooden chandelier, we entered the cool room. The fireplace wasn’t lit, which gave the room a slight chill.
“Was it just me, or did I feel tension in there that your blessed father was oblivious to,” Eve acknowledged, sinking into one of the two sofas.
“Way too much,” I agreed. “Ashton and Reddington look as though they want to kill each other.”
“Over you, no doubt,” Eve put in.
I crossed my arms. “Was that your plan? Having men duel over me, to see which one is worth my bed?”
Eve rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic...even though that isn’t a bad idea.”
I threw the nearest pillow at her head.
“Hey! This is how you make a man’s feelings come out; you have to push them.”
“I don’t want blood on my new rugs.” I chortled. I’d never had two men in one room glaring at each other like the two of them.
“We’ve already established that you aren’t attracted to Lord Ashton,” Eve confirmed. “But Lord Reddington…”
“It’s way too soon, Eve,” I warned. “No more of your little love games. Let fate take its course. No matter what I do, it seems to want to take over my life anyway.”
“But I promise you, I didn’t invite—”
“I know, I know,” I replied. “But from now on, retire your matchmaker badge, will you?”
Eve grumbled and nodded.
I walked to the study door. “Or I will invite Lord Gould to a ball that I will personally host for your benefit.”
Eve straightened. “You wouldn’t dare!” she bellowed, challenging me with her eyes. I gave her a frosty smile. Lord Gould was an awful fellow, who smelled of stale wine and body odor, and had written a sonnet for her every day for two months.
I opened the door. “I most certainly would.”
Eve followed me out, and we made our way back to the dining room. “You would sicken half the town with his”—Eve waved her hands in the air—“smell, just to get back at me?”
I turned to her. “Exactly.”
“You are a heartless woman, Barlow,” Eve marveled, shaking her head. Lord Ashton stepped out of nowhere as we reached the doorway.
“I apologize, ladies,” he sputtered. “Lord Barlow sent me to check on the both of you.”
“Quite all right,” Eve assured him, proceeding to the dining room. Lord Ashton lightly touched my arm.
“May I have a moment?” he inquired, shifting his weight to one foot.
I rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. “Of course,” I replied, nodding at Eve. Taking my hint, she made her way back to the dining room. Ashton looked positively anxious, swinging his arms at his sides and clenching them into fists. “Do we need to go somewhere—”