Page 69 of Reckless Kiss

“This year,” Archer replied.

“But you’ve only been back a few weeks if you couldn’t come to the retirement party.”

Archer felt like MI5 was interrogating him. He turned to face Erica and waited for her to look at him. When she did, he was rewarded with a megawatt smile lighting up her whole face. It was the first time she hadn’t looked terrified in the last half an hour.

“It’s been recent. But when you know, you know,” Archer said, looking directly at Erica.

He lifted her hand and kissed where the pearl ring rested at the bottom of her finger. His lips were pressed against her hand, but he still managed to swipe the tip of his tongue between her fingers. Watching Erica’s cheeks pinken made him grin. He was further delighted when her eyes widened.

“Don’t you young people want to live together first? Divorce rates are on the increase.”

Erica coughed on her mouthful of tea at the remark.

“My aunt wouldn’t entertain the idea of me living in sin under her roof.”

“That’s not the only reason you’re getting married, is it? To appease your aunt?”

“Have you ever been in love, Reverend Sprite?” Archer asked.

“No.”

“My father died in front of my youngest brother. He just dropped dead, and there was nothing anyone could do for him. No one is promised tomorrow, so what reason is there to wait if you know you’ve found the woman you want to marry?”

Archer heard Erica’s sharp intake of breath but didn’t look at her, holding her hand tighter.

“Ah yes, I was told about Luke. He’s the medic, isn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m sure that was a difficult time for him.”

“For all of us. We were all there on the platform that day.”

“I’m sorry for your loss Archer,” Reverend Sprite said, sincerity lacing her words.

“Thanks. Shall we get back to why we’re here?”

“Of course, I’m going to grab my notebook to ask you a few questions.”

As soon as she left, Erica sagged on her chair. “I nearly had a heart attack when the reverend approached me while you were around the back of the house. I swear my life flashed before my eyes. This is a car crash,” she said.

“We’ll be fine, honey.”

“I’m sorry to hear Luke had to witness your dad dying.”

“It was a bad time, made worse.” Archer stayed silent for a few beats. “This isn’t so bad with a new vicar. I will be having a conversation with my aunt in the morning. It’s almost like she doesn’t want me to get married.”

“She wants you to get married, trust me.”

“Is that what she said to you in the grand foyer.”

“Yes.”

“Then what game is she playing?” Archer said more to himself than Erica.

Before they could talk more, the reverend returned with a leather-bound notebook and sat back down. Wendy took a long sip of her tea and opened the book to a blank page.

“So, Erica, what’s your full legal name?”

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