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“I’m going to say this once and once only. You will stay away from my wife. Is that clear?” Jerome’s heart thudded hard, and his breath came in short pants. He had never been so angry in his life. Nor so deadly afraid.

Lannister raised an eyebrow and bowed. “As you wish. But you’re making trouble for yourself.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Ava won’t like it. If you want to make her angry, you’re going the right way to do so. I can’t help thinking an angry wife would be the very devil.”

“I’ll thank you to keep your advice to yourself. Ava is my concern, not yours. Stay away from her.” He turned and stalked away before he gave into the almost overmastering urge to wipe the smirk off the damned man’s face.

He walked six paces and ran smack into Ava.

“I thought I told you to go back to the ballroom.”

“Jerome, we were just talking! Why are you being like this?”

“Never mind, we are going home.” He seized her arm and tugged her along the path.

She reefed it out of his grip and said, “What if I don’t want to go home?”

“I am not going to argue with you here. We are going home. Now!” He locked his gaze on hers and a silent battle of wills ensued. “You made a promise to obey me,” he said softly. “Have you forgotten?”

She gasped, her eyes widening. “And you made a promise to cherish me!” she returned. The words hit him in the chest like arrows.

He bowed stiffly. “Very well, madam, if you won’t accompany me, I shall walk home and leave the carriage for you. Good evening.”

He had taken two steps when she said, “No!” Her hand landed on his arm. “I’ll go with you. You’re right, we can’t quarrel here, and I want to quarrel with you!”

If he hadn’t been so furious, he might have laughed at that. It was so typically Ava. His heart lurched. God, I love her. But I have to get to the bottom of this business with Lannister, or I’ll have no peace.