“Mr. Archer,” I say as I enter the room.
He sits upright now, boots on the floor, color returned to his cheeks.
“I’ve brought stew and bread. Something heartier than broth.”
His focus moves from the food to me, gratitude softening his expression.
“You look well,” I say, touching his forehead. Warm, but no fever.
“All thanks to you.” He clears his throat. “I mean no disrespect, but I reckon I’ve mended long enough. I’d like out of these irons.”
“Yes, of course, Mr.—”
“Arch.”
“Arch,” I correct. The word feels unfamiliar, weighty. “I don’t rightly know why my husband insists on keeping you here,” I admit.
Something shifts in him—dark, deep.
“What happened out there?” I ask. “Do you remember?”
He drops his attention to his hands. “Nothin’ worth burdenin’ you with.”
“Maybe not. But it might explain why he won’t let you go. You could be in danger.”
“Your husband,” he says slowly. “Who is he?”
I hesitate. “We are the Sherman family. This is the Sherman Inn.”
“Sherman,” he echoes. “Didn’t realize I was patched up by their heir.”
“You’ve heard of them.” The moment it slips out, I regret it.
Them, not us.
Recognition flickers behind those hazel eyes.
“Hard not to,” he says. “Shermans own half the hotels from here to…a long ways.”
“Yes. It’s the family business.”
“Business,” he repeats, bitter. “If that’s what you call it.”
I press a hand to my corset. “What else would I call it?”
“Your husband always send you to do his dirty work?”
“I beg your pardon?”
His tone sharpens, slicing the air. “You his diplomat, or is he just too much a coward to face me?” He leans back with a hardened look. The breadth of his shoulders, the strong-cut jaw—dangerous things for a lonely woman to notice.
I breathe slowly. “I’m not here for him,” I say. “You need to eat.”
“Men like your husband don’t chain up strangers for their health,” he says. “Why hasn’t he shown his face?”
“I don’t know.” I steal a quick glance toward the door. “I shouldn’t be discussing this.”
“Alice,” he says quietly, “you’re already in it. You’ve been tendin’ to the man he’s got chained. Question now is, are you goin’ to let me go?”
