“My lady!” Archer was right behind her. He had seen her face turn ashen. He rushed over. “What’s wrong? Are you ill?”
“Yes,” she wrenched out.
“Shall I call for a doctor?”
“Call for this.” She turned around and whacked him across the face with all her strength.
Archer staggered back in astonishment, seeing stars. Part of him wanted to laugh. Good God, he hadn’t been punched like that since the old days, horsing around in the barracks. He shook his head to clear it. “What the deuce was that for?” he exclaimed, lifting his hand dazedly to his cheek.
“You’ve got your stupid post,” she half snarled, half sobbed. “Go and celebrate it with your mistress.”
“What? Ellie! No, wait—”
“You think I’m blind?” she wailed.
“No, it’s not what you think!”
“Don’t lie to me, you scheming politician! I saw you!” She shoved him hard, tears streaming down her face, making dark smears under her eyes. “Weeks ago! I saw you with that harpy in the alcove at Apsley House. I hope she makes you happy. You can go to the devil, I’m going home.”
He knew she meant their country house in Hampshire, where their two wee sons were being cared for by their nurse. She had not wanted to leave. He was well aware that if Ellie had her way, she’d spend the Season looking after her children and her garden and never come to Town, but he had summoned her for the royal wedding.
“I want to see my children! At least they care about me.” She spun around, but Archer grasped her arm and gently turned her back to face him.
“Ellie, stop. Listen to me. If you’re talking about Lady Margrave—”
“Oh, are there more?” she cried.
“No! There are none! I never touched her.”
“You really think I’m an empty-headed fool, don’t you?” She threw off his hand and backed away.
“You know that’s not true. I happen to know you’re smarter than most men.”
“Well, that’s not saying much,” she huffed. Pivoting, she walked deeper into the breezy night garden to avoid the few curious guests and servants by the terrace doors.
He followed, offering her his handkerchief as he caught up to her so she could wipe the black off around her eyes. “Listen to me, please. It was a trick they concocted. Bloody Northrop Hayes put her up to it to try to damage me politically. You know that woman’s trouble, and she’s always hated you.”
“Mutual.” She yanked the handkerchief out of his hand and marched on, her train flowing out behind her over the graveled path.
“I didn’t want to say anything to you about it because I didn’t want to upset you! I had no idea you already knew. Good God, that happened months ago and you never said a word! You’ve been festering on it all this time? At least now I know why you’ve been so cold to me. Ellie, stop!” He touched her elbow then stepped in front of her, and stared deeply into her eyes. “What would I want with anyone else when I have you? You’re my wife. You’re everything to me.”
She blinked away the fresh tears that briefly starred her eyes. “No, Archer. Your ambition is all you care about.” She shook her head. “You’re so bent on trying to be the hero of the world in order to prove yourself to him. To your father—a dead man!”
He scowled.
“Your father’s dead—as is your elder brother. The contest’s over! You can quit trying to make up for being born the younger son! It’s too late for them now ever to admit your mettle. But you still have me.” She paused, taking in his anguished look. “And you know I’ve always been your greatest admirer. Please. Do you even see me anymore? Would you even notice if I did it back to you—took a lover?”
“Don’t you dare,” he whispered.
“Why not?” she flung out. “What do you care, as long as I’m discreet? You won’t touch me.”
He stared at her in tangled fury. “I’ve done aught in my power to treat you with respect.”
“Maybe a little too much respect, my lord.”
He stared at her in shock. An admission of physical desire, from Lady Frost? But she could not be seriously thinking of taking a lover.
She must know he’d kill any man who touched her.
No, she was only saying this to torture him. Because she thought him false.
“Eleanor,” he ground out, “if you want me in your bed, you have only to say the word. For my part, I have never been unfaithful to you in mind or body since the day we wed. I’m sorry I’ve been distracted. But this accusation is daft! What proof do you have? There is none! How dare you question my honor? When have you ever known me to break any kind of oath?”