She scoffed though it was undermined by the flush of her skin. “Hardly. But if you are going to embarrass me with such infidelity, I would rather not add to it by falling for your false charms as well.”
“I have no wish to embarrass you, nor do I wish to tarnish my family name with scandalous tales of infidelity.” Archer’s voice hardened, and he clenched his fist before forcing his fingers to relax and making a dismissive gesture. “To be a bachelor and a rake is one thing, but a married rake… That will not do.”
“And why should I believe you?” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Because it is the truth.” Archer met her hazel gaze with his amber eyes and felt a jolt rush through his body. “I would not wish such a fate on my own sisters, so it would be the height of hypocrisy for me to inflict it on you.”
“You have sisters?” Her eyes widened in surprise.
“It seems you do not know everything about me.” Archer gave her an amused smile. “But yes, I have two younger sisters. Cora and Juliet. Cora is already out though I doubt your paths will have crossed. Juliet will be out next year.”
“You having sisters does not mean I should trust you.”
“If any man treated my sisters the way you are suggesting I might treat you after we are married, I would ruin everything he held dear and ensure that his legacy was nothing but scandal and ashes.” Archer felt anger rise within him, his eyes flashing with fury at the thought of a man treating Cora or Juliet like that.
The strength of his fury clearly unnerved Lydia, who shuddered as she met his gaze. He took a steadying breath, forcing himself back to nonchalance with an effort. “Besides if I marry a woman and have an affair right under her nose, what kind of example does that set for Cora and Juliet? They would think such behavior acceptable, and no one should accept infidelity.”
An unreadable look crossed Lydia’s face, but it was gone too quickly for Archer to understand.
“Fine. Let us say I believe you; that still does not mean I am going to fall for your charms.”
“Flattered as I am that you find me charming, and even though you are rather fetching, I have no wish to seduce you.” Archer’s lips quirked upwards as the color on Lydia’s face deepened. “In truth, I had very little wish for a wife.”
“Then why on Earth did you ask me to marry you?” she exclaimed.
“Why did you agree?” he shot back.
She narrowed her eyes at him and gestured around them. “You know that it was the only option. I had to marry you or let you kill my brother or send him to jail.”
“It is a choice, Lady Lydia. When we make a decision, even one we would rather not make, it is still a decision, still a choice on our part. Everything we do is a choice, and there is power in that knowledge.” Archer leaned towards her, rolling his shoulders back as her eyes widened.
He continued, “Everything we do has a consequence. Even the things we long to do have trade-offs. Our marriage is the consequence of your decision to save your brother, and it is my hope that we might both gain something from the arrangement.”
“And what is it you hope to gain from me?” She bit her bottom lip, and Archer could sense her suspicion fading somewhat.
“Nothing of a sordid nature, I assure you. Until my mother passed, she managed most of the day-to-day running of the estate and my household. I am in need of someone to fill that vacancy, and after what you have done with your father’s estate, it is clear you would do a good job of it.”
“You… What do you mean?” She placed a hand on her chest, and Archer felt his eyes follow the gesture and swallowed.
“I looked into you. I know that you managed things before your brother inherited, and that under your stewardship, this place was once thriving.” His eyes fell onto the threadbare nature of her dress and the dust gathering around the house.She is far too skinny, probably working herself to the bone to undo her brother’s inexperience.
Lydia winced, and Archer continued speaking, “You would gain freedom. I would give you access to funds so that you could run the place as you saw fit, and your dowry would be yours to keep and spend. You would be free to live your life as you chose, within reason of course.”
“In short, I could have anything I wanted?” she teased, a smile creeping onto her face for the first time.
The sight made Archer’s heart quicken. She had a pretty smile; it was only natural that he should note it. He was a man, not a priest.
He nodded to her, trying to hide his own unsettlement. “Anything your heart desired, my own heart being the exception.”
“You have a heart?” She arched an eyebrow at him, the smile still playing at the corner of her lips.
“So I am told.” He shrugged. “You should know that there is one condition to my offer. You will not interfere with my family. You may be friendly with them, but their conduct, their education—that is my concern. Not yours. Do you understand?”
Her face betrayed nothing as she nodded.
“Good.” Archer stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes drifting to Lydia’s worn dress again and the general state of the home. “You will be wanting a dress for the occasion—have the modiste send the bill to me.”
“I do not need your charity, Your Grace.” Lydia stiffened, and Archer could see the wounded pride in her.
