Ava
Chapter 12
Four crystal chandeliers cast the light from countless candle over the ballroom. Cheery music flowed through the air as I stood at the entrance, observing the various colors of dresses and suits. I remembered escaping this room as a child, dodging the pinching of cheeks and the requests to dance with Lords’ sons.
“It’s so lovely.” Madelyn beamed at my side. “I’ve never seen anything like this at home.”
“Nothing but the best to show off for Her Majesty’s birthday,” George groaned. Nudging his arm, I grinned.
As I peered back into the ballroom, Garrett caught my eye, and my breath hitched. He was dressed in a gray coat with a matching vest and dark blue slacks. He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen… and he was walking straight toward us.
“Ladies,” Garrett greeted as he bowed. A strand of his dark hair fell across his forehead when he straightened. “You both look captivating.” He acknowledged his brother and mumbled something to him. George nodded, rolling his eyes.
“Lady Stratford,” Garrett asked, extending his arm, “may I have the next set?”
Madelyn held a delicate hand to her chest. “I would be extremely honored, Lord Cranfield.”
As the couple walked toward the dance floor, George cleared his throat.
“I have some news.”
“Oh?” I replied, observing the familiar pearl white walls etched with gold panels.
“I’m breaking off my courtship with Madelyn,” he stated flatly.
My focus jerked toward him. “What? Why?”
“Father happened,” George spat.
“He doesn’t like her?”
George played with the sleeves of his black jacket. “No, he has no issues with Maddy, other than her gentle approach would not produce a good Tellivan queen.”
I furrowed my brows. “What’s wrong with being gentle?”
George shook his head. “Nothing, by my standard.”
“But if she loves you, then—”
“Father wants me to find another potential wife in a week.”
“A week?”
“Or else he wants me to marry you.”
I froze. Edward didn’t waste any time.
“Garrett and I are already searching for candidates.” I forced an appreciative smile, my chest constricting while the walls caved in. It was as though shackles were coming up from the pearl marble floor, already latching on, attempting to keep me prisoner here for life.
“You won’t find someone in a week. Let’s be honest; she won’t be worth the crown,” I replied. “It’s okay, George.” I placed a hand on his forearm.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn’t come down to you being stuck with me in marriage,” he vowed. I believed he would try, but he would fail. I wasn’t going to be naïve about this, Edward would win. George knew it just as much as I did; he was just in denial.
I inhaled deeply. “I’ll agree to it.”
George’s head shot up. “What?”
“I’ll agree to it. We’ll get married.” My stomach turned, every thought about me travelling with Eve and experiencing new adventures beginning to sail away.
George grabbed my hand. “I can’t let you do that. It’s too large a sacrifice.”
“We’ve both made sacrifices, George. You’ve kept me safe, provided me protection, and you continue to do so. We understand each other; our marriage wouldn’t be terrible.”
“One of us would kill the other in less than a month.” I forced a chuckle as George’s face grew solemn. “Give me a chance. I have a week.”
“If I don’t approve of the woman, we will do this. I’m serious.”
George bowed. “Agreed. Now c’mon, you owe me a dance.” With that, he grabbed my arm and led me out to the dance floor, with no room for argument.
The dance was a freestyle and George kept me on my toes. He twirled me around and clasped my hands as we went under other couple’s arms. Fits of laughter left my body as George kept my mind on the music and not on the worries of our future. When our dance ended, George snatched me a beverage as he escorted me off the floor.
“I have a surprise for you. Something I think you’ll enjoy,” George told me.
I raised a brow with a smile. “What kind of surprise?”
“How about I show you?” He took my arm.
“Now? We haven’t been here but for a moment.”
“I am the Prince of Telliva. I can leave whenever I please.” He stopped. “Unless you’d like to wait until the celebration is deceased, and we’ve all died of boredom.”
“I’m ready.”
George shrugged. “We can dance one more time if you wish, and—”
“George,” I chided. He smiled, guiding me out of the ballroom.
∞∞∞
I stood in the hallway outside the ballroom, eyes wide and mouth agape. “I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, still in disbelief that Sam was standing in front of me. A foot taller, with facial hair and the same glinting green eyes, my best friend gave me a crooked smile.
“I’m going to head in,” George said, placing his hand briefly on my forearm. He nodded at Sam and left us alone. I embraced Sam, closing my eyes.
“For a few days,” Sam said, his voice a lower hum than I remembered. He squeezed me and chuckled. “You act like you haven’t seen me in forever.”
I lifted my head. “I haven’t seen you in years,” I countered. “How are you here?”
“George sent for me,” he replied. “You were right; he isn’t so bad.”
“Told you.” I stepped away, examining him. “You’ve grown up so much.”
Sam squinted. “I wasn’t a kid when you last saw me,” he retorted.
I grinned. “You acted like one.”
Sam chuckled. “Says the girl who used to pout when Micah told you no.”
“I didn’t pout.”
“You may have not realized it, but you pouted. You pouted a lot.”
I slapped his chest, regretting it as numbness prickled through my fingers.
“You’re full of shit, Samuel,” I chortled.
Sam grabbed my arm, linking it in his. “I want to see the life you used to live,” he said. “Let’s go to the party.” We went down the hallway to the entrance and walked in. As we entered, the smell of cologne and perfume saturating the air. Sam halted, studying the exquisite décor of the room.
“Wow,” he said, looking around the room.
“It’s”—I rolled my eyes—“something, isn’t it?”
“I see why you don’t like the parties. This is just…a lot.”
I pulled Sam along, passing curious couples and women. Grabbing a glass of dark liquor for Sam, I handed it over.
“Everything else wasn’t so bad,” I told him. Sam nodded, looking up at the chandeliers.
“Ava!” Madelyn bellowed across the room, waving excitedly. Garrett and George were with her, speaking amongst themselves, as I steered toward their direction.
“Madelyn, this is Sam Harris,” I introduced, as we stood in front of each other.
Madelyn’s brows raised, her lips quirking up. “The Sam Harris,” she replied, holding out a white gloved hand. “So nice to meet you, Sir Harris. Ava has told me so much about you.”
Sam shook her hand firmly, which startled Madelyn. “Thank you. You as well, Lady Madelyn. All the bad things are lies,” he replied with a smirk.
“All good things,” Madelyn giggled.
“And you remember Lord Cranfield.” I gestured to Garrett, who stood stone still. Sam stepped forward, holding out his hand. Garrett glanced hesitantly down at it.
“How could I forget?” Sam said, waiting for Garrett to accept his gesture. George nudged him, and Garrett took it.
“Harris,” he said flatly, over the loud music that started to play.
“Will you dance with me, Sam?” I asked, breaking the awkward tension.
He nodded. “Love to.” We evaded dancing couples and found a place on the floor; a slow rhythmic dance played. Sam took my hands and positioned himself, focused on his steps. He took the lead, gliding me around the floor, light as a feather.
“Your worldly travels paid off,” I teased. “You know how to dance.”
Sam grinned. “Ha, ha.”
“You look good, Sam,” I told him. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“And I, you. More than you know.”