Page 62 of An Arranged Marriage with a Mad Marquess
“Yes. Harry was shaken. He’s afraid of Lord Tidemore, I can tell, but he worries too much about Lord Morendale’s health. He thinks that if he tells him the truth, he might make his lordship more ill. I advised him to talk to Lord Morendale about it, but I don’t know if he will.”
Patrina considered this, chewing on her lower lip. It was clear, of course, that Clayton disliked Harry. At first, Patrina had assumed that it was mere snobbishness. She assumed that he didn’t like having a poor relation, a steward, spending time with them. But now she began to wonder whether there was more involved.
Could it be Harry and Neil’s relationship he was jealous of? After all, the two men were very close, and Neil trusted Harry with his very life.
If a man wanted to put a breach between a person and their friends and family, how would he go about it?
And more to the point,why? What benefit could Clayton have to estranging Neil from those who would support him? It won’t get him the position of Marquess any faster, will it?
Patrina’s head was aching again. She pinched the bridge of her nose, breathing in deeply and trying to calm her thoughts.
“There’s so much to consider,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I don’t know what todo, Lucy. Do you know, this is the first time I’ve truly been by myself? I’ve always had my mother to support me, or my sisters, or somebody to take the responsibility and make the decisions if I could not do so myself. And now it’s only me, and I have no idea what to do next.”
Lucy leaned forward, taking Patrina’s hand. “Can I give you some advice, your ladyship?”
“I’d welcome it.”
“Good. Well, I think you should concentrate on the basics. On what really matters. Onwhoreally matters. In my opinion, it all comes down to his lordship. To Lord Morendale. You are fond of him, I can see it, and he’s plainly fond of you. Why not try to speak to him? Don’t give up, your ladyship. Please don’t give up. Below stairs, all the servants like you. They want to see you and his lordship fall in loveproperly. They say that he’s a man with walls put up, and I’m not sure what that means.”
“I think perhaps I do,” Patrina murmured. “You’re right, Lucy. I…I’ll talk to him. Today, even.”
“I’m glad.”
“But enough about me. You haven’t even told me about when you had a chance to speak to Harry!”
Lucy flushed, glancing away with a half-hidden smile. “I like him very much, your ladyship.”
“He is a most admirable gentleman. Pray, do share your thoughts!”
