open. “Why didn’t you pick the lock?” he asked as he slipped inside, closing the door behind him.
“I don’t know how.” She’d never learned.
“Lucky for you I was passing by.”
“What’s in the bag?” she asked. And why was he wearing black pants and a plain black shirt?
“I’m pretending to accompany Gordon to the City of Buckley.”
“Where are you really going?”
He winked. “To Ellington. I intend to get my mother and Idina. I don’t want them up there all alone while the king prepares for war.”
“What about the Knights’ plan to stop him?”
“It’ll never work.”
“Then why did you agree to go along with it?”
Ackley set his bag down, then leaned against the dresser. “I’ve known Anna for several years. I’ve learned not to argue with her. She always gets her way.”
Reid sat on the end of the bed. “Your plan is to leave with Gordon tomorrow morning?”
He nodded.
“And you’re going to my home?”
“I am.”
“Then I’m going with you.” She stood, intent on packing her belongings. It took a moment to realize she didn’t have a single personal item with her.
“It’s safer for you here.”
“You shouldn’t travel alone. Someone needs to watch your back. And…I can’t stay in this manor.” Not only did it feel like the walls were closing in on Reid, but she also wasn’t ready to face her mother again. She needed some time and space to process. A trip home would do just that.
Ackley regarded her for a long minute. “Okay.”
Relief filled Reid. She’d been afraid he’d argue against it.
“But seeing as how your father locked you in here, I’m not sure he’s going to let you leave the manor.”
She realized her mother wouldn’t either—especially not alone with Ackley and Gordon. Not only that, but Dexter would be furious if she ran off without discussing it with him. She’d been in such a hurry to leave that she hadn’t stopped to consider his feelings. “I can’t go without talking to Dexter.”
Ackley smirked. “You need to ask your fiancé’s permission to leave with me?”
“No.” Reid sighed. “I can’t leave without telling him where I’m going and what I’m doing.” She didn’t need to ask him if she could go.
Dexter stepped into the room. “What’s going on?” he demanded, glancing between Ackley and Reid.
Colbert, Markis, and Gordon also filed in.
“I was just about to come find you,” Reid said.
Dexter closed the door before turning to face her. “You were? Because the last time you left, you ran off without telling me.”
“That was different.”
“How?” He took a step closer.
“That was…before.” Before they were friends. Before she felt a connection to him.
“What’s going on?” Colbert asked.
“I’m going north to retrieve my mother and sister before Eldon sends someone after them,” Ackley said. “Reid can’t stand being here, so she’s coming with me.”
“North where?” Dexter asked.
“To Ellington,” Reid replied. “While we’re there, I want to organize my father’s soldiers. Anna’s plan is never going to work.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Dexter said. “I’ll accompany you.”
Ackley tilted his head back, mumbling something at the ceiling. “Fine. But we travel fast and light. I’m worried about Idina.”
“While Gordon has a reason to leave, I’m not sure Anna is going to let anyone else go,” Colbert pointed out. “She seems to think she’s in charge and calling the shots.”
“I’ll figure something out,” Ackley said. “Just go along with whatever I say at breakfast tomorrow.”
“I want Colbert to remain here,” Dexter said. “That way, he can keep tabs on Anna. And if something ends up happening to me, there will still be a living heir.”
Everyone agreed.
“I’m going to bed,” Ackley said, pushing off the dresser and retrieving his bag. “We have a long week ahead of us. I suggest everyone else return to their bedchambers to pack for the journey.”
Everyone exited Reid’s room. When Dexter turned to close the door, he paused. “What’s the matter?”
“My father locked me in here.” She wasn’t sure she could handle being in there all night, knowing someone could lock her in again.
“Yet, Ackley still managed to find a way in.”
Reid shrugged, not wanting to talk about Ackley.
Dexter sighed. “Would you like me to stay with you?”
What did he mean by that?
“I’ll take the floor,” he clarified.
Reid didn’t want to seem like a child, afraid of sleeping alone. However, the thought of him there subdued the uneasiness she felt. Unable to verbally admit how much she needed a companion, Reid simply nodded.
Dexter stepped back into the room, shutting the door behind him. “Is it okay if I lock it from the inside so