Page 105 of Reckless Kiss

Fury laced her veins, making her brave to stand up to her mother. “Because it’s the twentieth century, and I’m over the age of twenty-one.”

“I wouldn’t cross your father or your Grandfather. You may live to regret it,” her mother warned.

“I’ll live to regret it if I don’t marry Jonathan Cranford,” Cynthia said, holding up her ring.

“Is that all the man could afford? That wouldn’t keep us in food for a week.”

“It doesn’t matter how much the ring cost. It only matters about the meaning behind it,” Cynthia argued.

“You live in a fairy-tale world. This is the real world. You’re a Turner. Do not forget that.”

Cynthia stared at her mother in disbelief.

“I have a headache coming back on. Leave me to nap,” Victoria said, shooing her away with her hand.

Tears formed in Cynthia’s eyes as she backed away, not taking her eyes off her mother, who had closed her eyes and rested the back of her hand on her forehead, slumping back on the settee.

Cynthia was determined never to turn into her mother.

Chapter 49

The following day Cynthia entered her father’s study without knocking, wearing her white dress and sapphire ring. He looked up from his writing desk and rested his unlit cigar on the edge of the desk.

He looked slowly at what she was wearing and set his cold eyes on her. “What do you want, Cynthia?”

“I’m here to tell you I am not marrying Sullivan. I’m going to marry Jonathan Cranford, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.”

He stood from his leather swivel seat that had cracks on the arms. “There is plenty I can do and have done to stop you.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, her bravery faltering at his words.

“Have you forgotten that anyone buying a house on Copper Island has to get permission from Turner Hall?”

Cynthia swallowed hard.

She had.

He gave her his shrewd eyes and nodded with a grin appearing. “As I thought. It would do you well to pay attention when I am teaching you about running Copper Island. Do you remember who heads up the school board for the Island?”

A chill ran down her spine, and she wrapped her arms around her torso. “Grandfather,” she replied.

“That’s right. Have you pieced it together yet?”

“Jonathan interviewed for that job. You can’t deny him a job he’s already been given.”

Archibald Turner tilted his head and scoffed. “I can’t?”

“Don’t you have any heart?” she replied.

“Not when it comes to duty. Your duty is to marry Sullivan, and as a wedding present, your Grandfather is gifting you Edward Hall and the wedding business.”

“Edward Hall? You want me to run the hotel and wedding business after forcing me to marry a man I don’t love?”

“Yes,” he said calmly as he stepped towards her.

She stayed where she was. “I won’t do it.”

“Are you sure?” With another step, she could see his glee clearly staring back at her.

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