Page 71 of Reckless Kiss

Enraged by her accusation, Archer stood but stayed rooted to the spot. “The problem is, I’m in love with you, and you’re acting. You were using me to save face from your husband.”

Erica swung her legs to put her feet flat on the floor, and then Erica yelled.

“You’re using me to get your inheritance.” Her breathing was heavy again.

As her chest rose and fell, Archer couldn’t take his eyesoff her breasts because her nipples were clearly defined against the cotton fabric of her dress.

“Wait, what? You’re in love with me?” Erica asked.

“Forget it,” Archer replied and took off across the lawn into the darkness.

He’d collect the golf buggy later once he’d calmed down.

All he could think about was the way she kissed him. Surely she couldn’t fake that, couldshe?

Chapter 34

Archer

Getting in to see his aunt was a challenge. Bailey had told him she was too unwell for visitors every day for a week. He didn’t believe Bailey but didn’t blame him. His aunt was Bailey’s employer, so he was loyal to whoever paid his salary.

After a week of being sent away, he decided he would go around Bailey and speak with his aunt. Bailey was a creature of habit, and Archer could easily set up an accidental meeting. Getting up early and ignoring the splashes coming from the swimming pool, Archer crept along the outside of Turner Hall to the morning room. He heard Erica calling out his name, but he kept going. Nothing and no one was going to prevent him from seeing Aunt Cynthia.

While he felt shitty ignoring Erica, he needed to speak with his aunt before confronting Erica, and they worked through the situation.

He reached the side window he knew was never locked and fitted his bulky body through the gap.Archer would be waiting for his aunt when she came down for her morning tea. Like Bailey, his aunt was also a creature of habit. If she were genuinely unwell, she would stay in her room. Ten minutes later, the door opened, and Bailey stepped in, closely followed by his aunt in slacks and jumper. She clutched a shawl around her shoulders. He was sitting in the armchair opposite where she sat.

The maid followed with a tray of tea and biscuits.

“Good morning, Aunt Cynthia,” Archer said as he stood.

“Archer, how did you get in here?” Aunt Cynthia barked.

“The entry was unlocked.”

He wasn’t technically lying.

“I see,” she said, giving him a disapproving glance.

“Set the tea down, will you? That will be all.”

The maid glanced at Archer with concern and then hurried away. Bailey closed the door after her, and they were left alone.

“I don’t have long before Miss Shaw gets here. What’s on your mind?”

“You didn’t tell me Reverend Chivers had retired.”

“You never asked. Do you want me to list all the people who have left the island since you were here last?”

“You let me believe getting a booking with the reverend would be straightforward.”

“Did you not get a date set? I had a letter to say your marriage at the family chapel would happen in three weeks.”

“You could have warned me we might have had more trouble securing a wedding date.”

“Why would you have more trouble? You’re wildly inlove with Erica Taylor, are you not? Whirlwind weddings are not uncommon.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were making this more difficult. You are the one who put the stipulation in place for me to find a wife.”

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