Ava
Chapter 6
I wanted to punch her. Eve’s promise of being a peaceful companion faded within an hour. Of all people, she knew how much I craved my solitude, but at the first chance she received, she waved down Lord Ashton. The last thing I wanted to do was be courted to death in an endless mission to find a mother for his daughter, Emma.
I sent her my worst glare on my way to the dance floor while my arm was linked through his.
“Emma has been talking nonstop about seeing you yesterday,” Ashton said, leading me through dancing couples. “She has begged me to ask you, if it isn’t too much trouble; her birthday is in a few months, and she was hoping you’d be able to attend.” His eyes glimmered with hope. Hope I wasn’t going to give him.
“She is very sweet to think of me,” I stated with a forced smile.
“We both think so highly of you.”
“Thank you.”
Ashton danced around me and came back to place his arm around my waist. “I was hoping you’d accompany me riding in the next few days. We could follow up with a picnic, and maybe a piece of pie at the bakery in town.”
I kept myself from furrowing my brows. “That sounds very...nice, Lord Ashton,” I replied slowly, watching my next words. “But I’m not looking to be…well I don’t want—”
“I understand if you have to check your schedule,” Ashton added with a grin, his brown eyes luminous.
“Well, it’s not that,” I countered. “I’m flattered, but I’m not looking for anyone to court me at this time.”
Ashton wrinkled his pointy nose. “But you are of age to be thinking about a family and sharing a life with a husband.”
I clenched my jaw. “I am. It’s not that I don’t ever want those things; it’s just that I’m not ready.”
“Not ready?”
“I would like to travel first.”
“All three of us can travel if you wish,” Ashton retorted.
“I’d have to be your wife to do that, my Lord.”
Ashton’s grin widened. “Exactly, my dear.”
I peered over his shoulder, uncomfortable at his persistence. My gaze fell on Garrett, who was dancing with a young blonde. Her hair was thrown up in an elegant bun, strands of hair teasing the side of her milky white skin. He spun her around as she laughed, her lavender dress whirling around her.
“Lady Barlow?” Ashton beckoned.
I brought my attention back to him.
He anxiously searched my face for an answer to his subtle statement. Never in my mind did I think Ashton nothing more than kind, but he was a barricade to my future plans. Ones that I’d gladly break for a chance of freedom.
“I must benevolently decline your offer, Lord Ashton,” I concluded. “Though it is very considerate to think of me.”
“If you need more time to think about it,” Ashton babbled, “I’d be more than happy to give it to you.” I shook my head. “I’ll wait then. I’ll wait until you’ve gotten to tour the land, and—”
“No need to wait. I can’t have you put your life on hold for me.”
“Lady Barlow.” Ashton abruptly halted us both. “I don’t think you understand that I want you to be my wife.”
I furrowed my brows. Now all I could think of was smacking the back of Eve’s head. Ashton entwined his fingers with mine and began to slowly kneel. My heart started to race. Oh my God, he was going to be an idiot and still try to propose to me, in the middle of a damn party.
“Avie!” Garrett’s voice greeted from behind Ashton. I released a sigh of relief that I didn’t realize I was holding. I’d never been so happy to see someone in my life. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Ashton stood straight, his face slightly red.
“Oh, I’ve been right here,” I mumbled, clasping my fingers together.
Garrett looked Ashton over. “So I see.” He held out his hand to me. “You owe me a dance.”
I nodded, stepping toward him. “Thank you, Lord Ashton, for the—” Ashton took a quick step toward me, startling me.
“Lady Barlow, I’m sorry if I upset you,” he whispered. “But I’d like to continue this conversation at a later time.”
“My Lord, please. I think I’ve made my answer clear,” I affirmed softly. “Again, I am honored that you’ve considered asking me.”
“But Lady Barlow, I—” I felt Garrett’s body step closer to me, his hand going to my lower back.
“The dance is about to start,” Garrett remarked in a low voice. He slid his hand down the inside of my arm and grasped my hand, pulling me away.
I didn’t look back at Ashton, already feeling slightly bad enough for rejecting him. It was Eve’s fault, the little brat. I had a mouthful waiting for her. Garrett gently pulled me on the other side of the dance floor, away from Ashton’s gaze.
The music had already started, strings of violins and harps softly played in the background. Garrett turned to face me, his expression emotionless, as he wrapped his arm around me and gently held my other. He led me into the steps, as we gracefully made our way around the floor.
“Did I just save you back there?” Garrett asked. I peered up at him, his indigo blue eyes looking back down at me.
“I’m afraid you did,” I said.
Garrett bit the inside of his lip. “You looked like you wanted to run.”
I sighed. “More like disappear into a puddle.”
Garrett grinned. “I’m glad to be of service.” He twirled me twice and knelt on his knee, guiding me around him. When he stood up and settled me back in place, he asked, “What was he whispering about? You jumped back a little.”
“Oh, I… He was just inviting me to a picnic.”
Garrett furrowed his brows. “Is it custom around here for men to get on their knees to ask you that?” I shook my head, and Garrett grunted. “Then what did he want?”
“He wasn’t whispering anything horrible,” I retorted. I didn’t know why I was defending Lord Ashton, but Garrett could probably pound him in the ground if he wanted to. The man’s presence filled the room, demanding respect.
“Are you telling me that you like shameless things said to you, Avie?” Garrett jeered, a smile growing along the corner of his lips.
I slapped his arm lightly, feeling my cheeks flush under his teasing. “Stop.”
Garrett shrugged. “Some women like that.”
“Some women are major flirts as well,” I countered.
“Touché. But many women secretly like when—”
“Garrett Cranfield, if you don’t shut up, I’ll have Eve find you a perfect little lady that’ll nag you all night.”
He cringed under my fingers. “You win.”
∞∞∞
“George!” I scolded. Placing my hand on my heart, I scowled at him for jumping out of nowhere.
“I need to speak with you immediately,” he demanded.
“You just—” George took my arm and linked it underneath his. “What is this about?” I said quickly.
“Walk with me and smile. I don’t want anyone to think something is wrong,” he whispered with an edge in his voice. He led me to the balcony, where the scent of flowers faintly filled the air. The moon was full, showing small chairs and tables set out for guests. George quickly scanned the area, his body stiff, before turning around to face me.
“I just received word from John,” he started, wiping sweat off his brow with his arm.
“Garrett’s man?”
George looked around. “Yes. One of the men encountered a radical about an hour ago. Our man was almost killed. They know where we are.”
I swallowed. “Where we are?”
George looked at me, his eyes soft. “They have to know by now that I came for you.”
“Oh Femme Fatale.” My body began to shake, and I couldn’t tell if it was because of fear or that it was sinking in. Someone was here, in my hometown, trying to finish what they had started.
“Papa!” I warned.
“I already have some men there, outside the house. He doesn’t know they are there.”
“Can they be trusted?”
George nodded again. “They are Garrett’s men, so yes.”
“Wait, why are his men here?”
George took off his coat and hung it around my shoulders. “Since you’ve been home, Garr has had a special group of men here. They’ve settled in, looking over the town, to make sure you are kept safe. They report back to him every other week.”
My mind whirled. After all this time, even without his presence, he still made sure I was safe? He used his resources and trusted men to ensure my safety? I didn’t know how to comprehend that.
“Do I know any of them?” I asked.
“Mr. Torres is one.”
“Mr. Torres? My Mr. Torres?!” I furrowed my brows. “Why didn’t you tell me this?” I asked, but then recanted. “Because I would have said no, that I didn’t need anyone here.”
“Glad you see how stubborn you are after all these years, and what I’ve had to deal with. We need to get back to the castle.” He saw my mouth open, but continued, “I know you don’t want to go. I don’t want to take the life you’ve made for yourself. But you’re safer with me. Besides, we can spend some time together and be what we used to be.”
“What’s going on?” Garrett asked, walking quickly over to us.
“John said the rebels are here, in town. We have to move,” George explained.
“Where is he?”
“In the back. He’ll have a carriage waiting for us momentarily.”
“They’ll expect us to leave tonight,” Garrett replied to no one in particular.
“We have to,” George insisted.
“Travelling at night, number one, isn’t something I prefer to do,” he clipped. “Secondly, I don’t know how many men they have here. I need more information before we make a move.”
George huffed, but didn’t press any further. “I will check to see if John has things organized.”
Garrett pulled a dagger from the inside of his coat and handed it to him. “Don’t miss.”
George took it and proceed down the balcony steps. I watched him disappear, pulling his brown coat closer around me.
“We’ll get you warm soon,” Garrett promised, stepping closer to me.
“It’s fine,” I interjected. The man thought of everything; if I was cold, if I was safe, if there were people watching Papa and I. Looking at him, he showed no signs of worry. His face was mellow, like how it’d been when we danced. A man bearing the safety of the crown and my predicament on those strong shoulders.
“We’ll get you home in no time.”
“Thank you,” I replied genuinely. “For everything.”
He looked at me with a raised brow. “For what?”
“Let’s go,” George called.
Perfect timing, as usual.