"If you don't mind," he muttered. He leaned back against the headboard and set his wand on the side table, trying to concoct some fittingly scathing comment regarding insubordinate wives. Nothing would come. He had what he wanted - she was no longer arguing with him, even if it was only because she didn't want to speak to him - and fanning the flames any more would have been pointless. As much as the implication that he might not be there rankled, he knew he had to let it lie. "You've made it perfectly clear how highly you esteem my authority. I'd rather not explore the topic any further."
He still didn't know what on earth he would do if she did insist on walking into the line of fire with him. It was unimaginable.