Page 34 of An Arranged Marriage with a Mad Marquess
“I’m sorry, sir, I never meant…” she began, gabbling an apology. Getting dismissed on her very first day would be disastrous indeed.
“No need to apologise, Lucy, it’s me!” came a familiar, laughing voice, and the tension drained from her body at once.
It was Harry Westbrook, of course, his red hair dishevelled and his twinkling eyes laughing. She let out a sigh of relief.
“Iamsorry, though,” she said, wincing. The linens were all in a crumple. “I keep getting lost, and I was rushing.”
“I shouldn’t worry about it,” Harry answered, picking up a piece of cloth and folding it. “You will soon become acquainted with the house. Are you settling in well? Have you a room of your own?”
“Yes, I do. This seems like a very pleasant place, I must say.”
Between the two of them, they rescued the linens, folding them back into a neat little pile.
“I daresay you are quite occupied with the task of ensuring that the new Lady Morendale is comfortably established.” Harry remarked, shooting a quick little glance up through his eyelashes. Lucy reddened, for reasons she did not quite understand.
“I am busy, but it’s a real pleasure to work for Miss P – herladyship, I should say. What about you? Are you not able to rest from your journey?”
“I’m afraid not,” Harry sighed. “Neil and I must meet with a few of the tenant farmers to discuss an issue with the crops. I’m on my way to fetch him now.”
They both reached for the final piece of cloth at the same time. Lucy’s fingers brushed his, and shivers of awareness ran up her arm. Harry whisked his hand away at once, like he’d been burned, and there was an awkward moment or two of silence.
Lucy cleared her throat, and then the moment was gone.
“I should probably…” she began, at the same moment that Harry said, “Well, if there’s nothing you need help with…”
They got to their feet, smiling sheepishly at each other.
“I’m sure I’ll see you again soon, Miss Pearson,” Harry said, bowing, as if she were a real lady!
Lucy flushed with pleasure and made a wobbly little curtsey. “I am counting on it, Mr. Westbrook.”
They awkwardly shuffled around each other, Harry striding off in one direction and Lucy in another. She twisted to look back at him once and found that he was also looking at her.
***
“A sort of blight, I think,” Harry answered, in response to Neil’s question.
Neil winced. Crop blights and diseases were always a serious matter. “Anything to worry about?”
“No, it seems to have receded. We rooted out the diseased crop, of course, and there was no spread of infection. We’re being careful, of course, and keeping an eye on this season’s crops, just in case, but I believe the danger is over. Still, as I’m sure you can imagine, the tenant farmers are extremely nervous. I took the liberty of inviting some independent farmers to this meeting too, Neil. I hope you don’t mind. They just want a little reassurance, that’s all.”
Neil drew in a shaky breath. He would have preferrednotto address a dozen or so people on the matter of crop blights on his first day home. The day after his wedding, no less. Some would consider this his first day of marriage. Still, crop blights were serious, and it was important to show the tenants that they were his priority, and the independent farmers that they were all in it together.
He was tired, more tired than he realized. The herbal tea which Mr. Blackburn had prescribed had tasted better than the drops, but the taste lingered in his mouth even so. He itched to take some drops, just incase, but sternly told himselfno.
You’re meant to be weaning yourself off them, not indulging in more. You hate the things. Do you really think they’ll give you confidence now?
Harry led the way into a small conference room, packed to the brim with men and a few women, all murmuring between themselves, all anxious and pale. They all glanced up as Neil and Harry entered, and there were a few relieved smiles.
“Ladies, gentlemen, thank you for coming,” Neil said, flashing a quick smile around. “Mr. Westbrook has just briefed me on the situation. I understand that the vast majority of our crops have been saved?”
There was a murmur of assent.
“Good, I am glad. I hear that your diligent efforts and prompt wit have proven most fortuitous, have they not?”
There were more smiles at that, and Neil began to relax. People were on edge, of course, but Harry was right. All they needed was a little reassurance, and… he paused, blinking.
Darkness nibbled at the edges of his vision. Just like that, panic flared up in Neil’s chest, and it was suddenly difficult to breathe. There were no spare seats around the table, and he was forced to grip the edges of the table to steady himself. Across the sea of faces, he saw Harry’s expression contract with worry.
