Free Beautiful Lies by Emilie Richards Page B

Juan was right. Archer was only yards from Nakanishi, who was inexpertly treading the water. Out of his diving suit he had little rapport with the waves.
    Bernard released Tom, and Tom saw there was no point in throwing himself in to help. The Sophia ’s dinghy was closing in on the two men; the Odyssey ’s dinghy with Toshiharu and the two Malayan boys was on its way. And Archer, with the reflexes and impulses of daredevils the world around, had reached Nakanishi and was now helping him stay afloat.
    â€œNakanishi, he makes Somerset a rich man. Somerset,he not want to lose him. He hears of this, he be glad. He make Archer glad, too.”
    Tom wondered if, in the split second before he dove into the water, Archer had thought of that. There were sharks in this water and other menaces besides. But once again, Archer hadn’t hesitated to risk his life.
    He pushed down the thought that Archer had only jumped in to rescue Nakanishi so he could bathe in Somerset’s good graces. It had to be a coincidence that Nakanishi was Somerset’s diver, and that Somerset was the father of the woman Archer jokingly claimed he would marry.
    â€œDo you believe in coincidence?” he asked Juan.
    â€œAll things have purpose.” Juan shook his head. “But sometimes, man makes own purpose.”
    Tom watched silently as Archer struggled to keep the Japanese diver’s head above water as the dinghies grew closer, and he wondered where Archer would be right now if the man in the water had been anyone else.

5
    V iola Somerset was even more beautiful up close than from a distance. Her long golden lashes shadowed eyes the same vivid shade as her blue-green gown, and her features were delicately executed. When Sebastian introduced Viola to Archer, one finely molded eyebrow lifted just a fraction of an inch before she held out a gloved hand.
    â€œYou’re the man who saved Nakanishi’s life.”
    Archer took her hand and made a quick bow, but he grinned as he did, to belie the formal gesture. “I’m not certain I saved him, but we did have a nice chat while we were floating in the water waiting for the dinghy.”
    Sebastian, dressed in the blinding white of the pearling master, interrupted. “Don’t let Mr. Llewellyn tease you, Viola. If it weren’t for him, my best diver would be at the bottom of the ocean—and not gathering shell.”
    â€œHow courageous you were,” Viola murmured to Archer. “What makes a man risk his life for a stranger? And with no thought of reward.” The same eyebrow rose higher.
    â€œHe was in trouble, and I was there. There was nothingcomplicated about it, Miss Somerset. I would have done the same for you.”
    She smiled sweetly. “I’ll sleep better at night knowing as much.”
    Sebastian gestured toward the parlor door. “I see someone I must greet. I’ll leave you two to become acquainted. Viola, please don’t forget that you’re to sit on Freddy’s right at dinner.”
    Archer heard the steel in Somerset’s voice and saw the flicker of rebellion in his daughter’s eyes.
    â€œHow could I forget, father dear? For the past three days you’ve reminded me every time the clock strikes.”
    â€œThat seldom motivates you, does it?” He excused himself and left them alone.
    â€œMy father and I are not the best of friends,” Viola told Archer. “Freddy Colson is his assistant. Perhaps I should introduce you to Freddy now, and we can make bets on which of you will climb higher in my father’s estimation tonight.”
    â€œIt almost seems you believe I rescued your father’s diver just to impress him.”
    â€œYou certainly have endeared yourself.”
    â€œHave I endeared myself to his daughter?”
    â€œHave you suddenly acquired money?”
    â€œSadly, no.”
    â€œThen I am not endeared or impressed.”
    Archer was almost certain Viola had