Archer slid me a glance. I knew that Auggie’s comment took him by surprise. I was hired to write Auggie’s story, after all. Not regale him with mine. “Perfect timing,” he said. “I was just asking her about you.”
“No need to put her in any awkward position of answering those questions. I am here. Ask me anything you like.”
“Why’d you hire my sister?” Archer asked, point-blank.
Auggie chuckled. “Spoken like a lawyer,” he said. “I hired her because she was the best person for the job. She’s bright and competent and discreet. I know I can trust her with my story.”
“Story,” Archer nodded. “Interesting choice of words. Will it have anything to do with the truth?”
Inwardly I groaned, but Auggie rolled with it. “Some say there is no truth, only perception. We’re all just stories in the end, aren’t we?”
“Yours is rather remarkable,” Archer conceded. “Enough to attract worldwide attention,” he added, gesturing to another table across the room, where a group now sat hiding behind their phones, snapping covert pictures of us.
Auggie acknowledged the point with a nod. “It comes with its own set of complications.”
“I’m sure you can understand that I just want to make sure my sister is protected. Sisters,” he said, gesturing to Fern, “since you’ve somehow convinced both of them to run off and join your circus.”
The stress at the table turned my stomach, and the strong smell of peppers and onions did not help. “Archer,” I said, hoping to rein him in a little.
Auggie touched my hand, a gesture that Archer did not miss. “It’s okay, Pea,” he said, using my nickname, suggesting intimacy. I knew from the look in his eyes Archer hadn’t missed that either. “Your brother is right to be concerned.” He turned to Archer. “I’ve taken every precaution to see that your sisters are protected. They have an armed guard on them at all times.”
Fern and I shared a look. Sean was armed? We had no idea.
“They will be traveling on a private plane from my family’s royal fleets, with my assistant and right hand to ensure all their needs are met. While they travel, they will have world class accommodations ensuring discretion. Not the least of which, they both are being handsomely compensated, with an iron-clad contract that will protect their rights and the privacy of your entire family.”
“I’d like to see this contract,” Archer said.
“A copy has already been couriered to your office,” Auggie replied.
For the first time in his life, my brother was speechless.
For the next hour, I watched Auggie turn the tables on Archer, asking him questions, getting him to talk about his life and experiences, while giving very little away. Archer tried his best to wrest control of the conversation, but Auggie was as slippery as a snake. He would give just a little, then flip the conversation’s focus back to Archer.
When it was clear I wasn’t going to eat, Auggie withdrew a plastic pouch from his jacket pocket and handed it to me. “You need to eat, Pea,” he said.
I glanced at the wrapper on the package. Dried auberries. How delightful!
He turned to Archer. “Auberries come from Aldayne. Pea has developed quite a taste for them.” His gaze lingered on my face. “I cannot wait until you can try them fresh from the fields.”
I felt my face flush. Archer jumped on it.
“You’re taking Peaches home to meet your grandmother?”
“Proudly,” Auggie answered, which made my knees knock together. “Your whole family, in fact.” He slid an envelope across the table. Archer opened it to find plane tickets. “The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in August. We hope you can make it.”
Archer was still sizing him up. “Thank you. I’ll definitely arrange it.”
“Wonderful,” Auggie said as he rose, prompting Archer to stand as well. They shook hands. “It was lovely to meet you, Archer. There are tickets at will call under your name if you would like to join us at the concert on Friday.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Archer said. “Just in case there’s anything I need to speak to you about regarding the contract.”
Auggie laughed. “I look forward to it,” he said before leaning down to me. He left a slow kiss on my cheek. “See you tomorrow, Pea,” he said softly, before he moved around me to hug Fern goodbye.
He and his intimidating entourage left us in his wake like a hurricane. Archer sat, leaned back in his chair