Page 65 of Fallen Legacy
Archer snickers. “Why should it? If Felicity wants to be unfaithful to her husband, that’s her business. As for my dad, he’s single and likes nothing better than shagging and gambling in his spare time. She won’t be the first and she certainly won’t be the last.”
“Do you think her husband knows?”
Archer shrugs his shoulders again. “No idea. Although I have heard rumours that Caleb has been giving it to his secretary for years, so who knows.”
I shake my head. “Wow, this world you live in is fucked up.” What with finding out Alexis swapped out my contraceptive pill to Archer’s blasé reaction to the fact his dad is boning Georgie’s mum. It’s all just another day in this crazy bay.
He steps away from the door and comes to stand in front of me. “Welcome to my world, Scar,” he says with a weary sigh. “Let’s go to bed.”
ELIZA
Another week passes by with no more messages from my stalker. I start to wonder if they’ve backed off now that I’ve moved in with Archer. The engagement ball is tonight, not that any of those outside the four families know that’s what the occasion is all about. They all just think Edward Savage is throwing a ball and showing everyone how much money he has. Wilbur’s enthusiasm for this engagement is sickening. His assistant, Jackie, has constantly been on the phone, giving us both orders. I’m so over it all. I just can’t wait to get tonight over with and have it out there. Then the people can all gossip about whether we’re in love or whether it’s a marriage of family convenience. Just wait until the pregnancy news gets out, that’s when the gossips of this bay will twitter. No doubt they will say Archer had to propose to me because I was pregnant with his baby.
“You are awfully quiet tonight, girl,” Vee comments as she puts on her heels. Vee always looks effortlessly beautiful. Her blonde hair is curled around her face, and she is wearing a beautiful pale pink gown that compliments her complexion perfectly.
“I just want the whole damn thing over. Fuck!” I exclaim when I fail to fasten the clasp on the Ruby necklace for a third time. Wilbur has insisted I wear it tonight as it will go perfectly with the engagement ring. He has given me strict instructions to only put the ring on just before he and Edward take the stage and announce the news. They have even coordinated Archer’s tie to match my dress. He has every little detail planned. All part of his plan to secure the families together and help keep his failing business afloat.
“Come here,” Vee says sympathetically. She walks over to me and takes the necklace from my hands. “Let me do it. Look, fuck all of them, okay? Yes, this engagement has been forced on you, but once you’re married to him and you have the Savage name, you’ll hold all the power. And once you put a baby in that belly, they’ll be falling over themselves to praise you.”
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out from nowhere.
For a minute Vee carries on trying to fasten the necklace.
“Wait, what did you just say?”
“I’m pregnant. I’m fourteen weeks,” I repeat. I feel a weight lift when I tell her.
“Fuck off! You’re not?” She exclaims, looking at me open-mouthed.
“I am. I’ve got the scan pictures and everything. It’s very real.”
“It’s Archers?” she asks me, as she positions my necklace, so it falls centre on my chest.
I arch my brow. “Well, of course. Who else’s could it be?”
She holds her hands up. “I didn’t mean that to sound how it did. It’s just, you know, you and Damon seemed pretty close for a time.”
I place my hands on my hips, frowning at her. “You honestly thought something happened between us? He’s my friend, nothing more.”
Vee steps back, like she’s waiting for me to pounce on her. “I know, girl. But you were hurting, and I’ve seen the way that guy looks at you, like he wants what he can’t have. The forbidden fruit.”
My brows furrow deeper. “He doesn’t look at me like that,” I protest.
It’s Vee’s turn to put her hand on her hips and give me the‘oh really’look. “Trust me, as an outsider looking in, he would without doubt be with you if you wanted it, and that’s why Archer can’t stand him around you.”
“Well, he’s just a friend. The only guy I’ve slept with since I arrived here is Archer.”
Vee snickers. “Of course he is. I mean, once you’ve sampled those goods, why would you want anyone else?”
“Something you want to tell me?” I ask, tilting my head at her.
She blinks at me. “Gods no! He’s like my brother, but I’ve heard all the rumours and the girl’s talking in the PE changing rooms. Of course, he’s going to be mind-blowing at sex. He excels in everything he does, that’s just Archer.” Vee hands me my shoes. “I take it you’re both keeping it quiet until after the engagements announced? That makes sense.”
I take my shoes from her and chew on my lip at her words. She thinks he knows. “Not quite. More like I’m keeping it quiet for now.”
Vee stops what she is doing and stares at me. “Hold up a minute.” She holds her hand out and looks at me with wide eyes. “Girl, you haven’t told him?”
I falter under her stare and suddenly find my glamorous silver sparkly heels very interesting to look at. “Not yet, no, and before you lecture me, I am going to tell him soon.”