Lydia hestitated, and Archer put a hand over his chest. “I swear, I am not trying to seduce you. I have already told you, I have no interest in that.”
An odd look crossed Lydia’s face, but Archer had no idea what it meant. She took his hand in hers, and together, they walked back to his room.
A little while later as he struggled to get comfortable on the chaise, smiling at the soft rise and fall of her sleeping chest, what he had done hit him like a ton of bricks.
He had comforted her. He had held her against him. But most worrying of all, he wanted to keep doing it. A fiery urge to keep her safe built within his chest.
“What are you doing to me?” Archer muttered. “I cannot let this continue.”
But how could he abandon her after what she had just told him? The fact that it even gave him pause sent a thrill through his spine. He had to put a stop to this. He thought of his father and his mother. He knew the slippery slope he was on.
He would go to London tomorrow, and he would put an end to whatever was happening.
Chapter Nine
Awarm, gentle breeze wafted through the open window of the carriage. The countryside’s warm sun and fresh air were just what Archer needed to relieve his bitter, throbbing headache. Much to his frustration, the three days in London had done very little to help his mood. He kept finding himself thinking of Lydia, reaching for paper to write her a letter and then forcing himself not to.
In the end, he had given up and decided that he might as well escape the dank London air and return home.
The sounds of female voices accompanied by a smattering of piano told Archer his sisters were likely in the conservatory at the back of the house. “They are probably arguing again.”
Not unexpected, as his sisters were radically different. Juliet’s gentle temperament could only hold out so long, especially with Cora’s incessant need to be right.
Yet when he approached the door, he found himself looking at Cora, Juliet and the person he had been trying to avoid: his wife.
Juliet was sitting at the piano thumbing through the music while Cora tapped her foot impatiently. Lydia was shifting from foot to foot, anxiously twirling a lock of her dark hair.
“I still cannot believe you do not know how to waltz.” Cora shook her head in disbelief.
“I didn’t really have time for such things. I was either helping my father or my brother.” Lydia’s cheeks flushed.
“Well, Juliet doesn’t find something to play this side of Christmas, I fear you’ll never learn.”
Cora shot her sister an impatient glare, and Juliet snapped back, “You were the one who complained that the last piece I picked was far too dull.”
“Music should be lively, especially a waltz.” Cora ran a hand through her hair. “Perhaps I should have just taken Lydia to a commoner bar—they are far more fun than any ball!”
“And Archer would have skinned you alive.” Juliet shook her head. “Just because you do not wish to stay in the ton’s good graces does not mean that Lydia shares your wishes. Nor does it mean that I do.”
Before Cora could say anything, Juliet began to play the piano, and her sister grinned. “Now this is more like it!”
Cora stood in front of Lydia and swept into a bow. “Your Grace, might I have this dance.”
Lydia rolled her eyes but took Archer’s sister’s hand. He watched as his sister began to dance with Lydia stumbling through the steps even as she tried to keep her count.
“Sorry, I’m no good at this,” Lydia murmured as she stumbled.
“Nonsense, you just need a better teacher,” Archer found himself saying, his voice making Juliet and Lydia jump.
Cora arched an eyebrow at him, a challenge in her eyes. “If you think you can do better, brother dearest, be my guest.”
Archer knew she was baiting him, but he ignored her and strode towards Lydia. He swept into a low bow. “May I have this dance?”
Lydia nodded, and Archer moved to stand with her. He guided her hands gently, adjusting her frame ever so slightly. “Shoulders back. Yes, like that.”
He placed one of her hands on his shoulders and took her other hand in his. Then he placed his hand on her waist, feeling her tense and then relax at his touch.
“Cora, count for us.” He glanced at his sister, who rolled her eyes but did as he asked.
