Page 16 of Reckless Kiss

“I’m going to take you at your word. Love you all,” Archer said.

He ended the call and sat back in the chair, slouching as he pondered if he could marry for money and not love.

Chapter 10

Archer

He woke early the following day. He had a fitful night trying to work through what he should do. There was some merit in finding a wife, being totally upfront that it was for appearance’s sake, and then she was free to get a divorce. Were there women out there that would agree to it? He was sure he would have to pay them. Archer had a fair amount of money in savings, but he’d doubted he had enough money to pay a woman to marry him.

He’d taken an early dip in the pool to clear his head. By the time he’d exhausted himself swimming laps, Archer knew what he had needed to do for the sake of his family. Sending a text to his brothers and sister, he told them he would take the deal.

Message after message streamed through, but Archer didn’t read any of them. He didn’t want to be put off. He’d made the decision and now needed to see it through. Daisy tried to call him, but he didn’t take the call. He knew it wasn’t an emergency, just moral support when she’d onlycalled once. Dressing more casually this time, Archer took the path up to the main house and went to the kitchen early. He talked Maggie and Bailey through what he planned to do. They both let out a long breath but noted the thinking behind the decision.

“I’m not going lie,” Bailey said. “It’s going to be great to have you home again. You never know, you might find a wife you actually love.

“Have you got a candidate in mind, Bailey?” Archer said through a laugh.

“Not at all, Sir. That’s for you to discover. But I would suggest a night in the town with Ralph. He can tell you who all the singles ladies are.”

“Good advice. Take me up, will you?” he asked Bailey.

“Of course, Sir.”

Archer trudged behind Bailey up the stone stairs and into the grand foyer of Turner Hall. This was once his home, but he felt like he’d never entered the building before in his life. Foreboding inched into his heart. He had no idea if he was doing the right thing. But if he didn’t try, he would always wonder if he could have done more to provide his brothers and sisters with a job and a salary.

His Aunt Cynthia was sitting at his grandfather’s writing desk with a fountain pen and a blank sheet of paper in her hand. She gave the impression he was interrupting her morning.

“I’m surprised you came,” she said.

“We agreed I would come and give you my answer this morning,” Archer replied.

“I’m still surprised. I take it you’ve decided to take me up on my offer.”

“I have. It seems horrendous that you thinkso little of me. That I would be so careless with a woman and have an unplanned child.”

“Your father was exactly like that.”

“It doesn’t mean I would be. My dad loved my mother, so getting her pregnant wasn’t unwanted.”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Archer.”

“Why are you so bitter?”

“Are you going to take the deal or not?”

“I am. I’ll be married within three months, and then you will jointly sign the business to me, my sister, and brothers.”

“Can you find a woman to love you in that time?”

“I’ll have to if I want to get my siblings back all in one place.”

“I’ll sign the papers to you only on your wedding day, directly after the ceremony.”

“Fine.”

“I’m sure the day will be perfect,” she said and turned her back on him.

Bailey cleared his throat behind Archer signalling the meeting was over.

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