"For the fact that you’re committing to get married."
Wait, what?My heart rate ratchets up, and I turn on Brody."You’re getting married?"
11
Brody
"It’s the condition for Arthur giving me access to my inheritance.” I shrug.
Old man likes the drama, so I keep my face like stone. I knew he was going to bring this up, though why he picked today of all days to do so, I’m not sure.
"You said you’d be happy to marry the woman I chose for you." Arthur curls his lips.
Unlike my brothers, I've never bothered to fight my grandfather’s maniacal pursuit to marry us off. Since I never intend to fall in love, marrying a woman of my own choosing didn’t seem a possibility. It seemed simpler to marry a woman he chose for me.
It has the added advantage of making Gramps happy.
I'm the only one of my brothers who seems to genuinely care enough to want to make Gramps happy. I’d be lying if I said I don’t hope it’ll pay off with Arthur being benevolent with me on thebusiness side of things. Ultimately, the marriage, itself, is a transaction to help me access my inheritance.
So why would I care who he chooses?
“I did,” I agree with him.
Lark’s eyes widen in surprise. She seems like she’s going to ask me about it but stops herself.
“James is here to witness that I’m doing my part of the job, as well as when you refuse to accept my choice.” Arthur’s expression is one of satisfaction and anticipation.
I flick James a sideways glance. He seems as bemused as I feel.
“How do you know I’m going to refuse you, when I don’t even know who your choice is?” I incline my head.
“You do now.” Arthur turns his stare on Lark.
I reel back.
What’s he talking about? Surely, he’s not implying what I think he is?
Lark, too, must realize what he’s implying, for she draws in a breath.
"Is this some kind of joke?” I growl.
James looks between us, then at Arthur. He seems gobsmacked.Welcome to my life—the one Arthur keeps turning upside down.
And I let him, because I respect him too much to say otherwise.
My grandfather sighs. "As I predicted, you don’t seem agreeable to this wedding."
No shit.
I committed to marry whoever he chose for me. But Lark? I flatten my lips. I didn’t see that coming. I bite off the retort which hovers at the tip of my tongue. I don’t want to be rude to my grandfather.
She’s my employee. My executive assistant, who I’ve identified as a possible next in line for my role as CEO. Our relationship is strictly professional. I don’t want to unsettle her, and Arthur, with his very insensitive declaration, has done just that.
In fact, thanks to him, we’re in breach of half a dozen HR rules. We’ve left ourselves open to potential lawsuits which could hurt us.
Not that he cares. Gramps makes his own rules. One of the reasons my brothers and I restrict his interactions with the office.
Also…Lark as my future wife?My muscles coil with tension.
