Page 67 of An Arranged Marriage with a Mad Marquess
“Lucy!”
Lord Tidemore flinched, glancing towards the doorway. The door was now open, and Harry stood there, expression flat and grim. Lucy used Lord Tidemore’s distraction to yank her arm free and scuttled across the room to stand beside Harry. He gave her a quick, searching glance, eyebrows raised questioningly.
Are you well?The question seemed to be. She gave a short, reassuring nod, and saw relief spread over his face.
“Harry. Fancy seeing you around,” Lord Tidemore drawled, stepping closer.
“A surprise for you, I imagine,” Harry retorted, his voice clipped and cold. “I might as well warn you that I am invited to Lady Ashworth’s party tonight, too.”
Lord Tidemore snorted. “I can’t say I am surprised. She has no standards, after all.”
Harry’s jaw tightened. He reached out blindly for Lucy’s hand, and she gave it without thinking twice. They stood there, hand in hand, for a long moment, neither of them breaking the stare aimed at Lord Tidemore.
Mr. Blackburn seemed uneasy, shuffling his feet and fidgeting. Lucy frowned, noticing a beading of sweat on his forehead and temples.
What is frightening him so much?
“That’s enough of this posturing, Lord Tidemore,” Mr. Blackburn said sharply, breaking the silence. “We have work to do.”
“So we do,” Lord Tidemore muttered, narrowing his eyes at Harry. “Come along then, Mr. Blackburn.”
The two men pushed past Lucy and Harry, leaving an air of menace in the room. Once they were gone, Lucy let out a shaky breath.
“I don’t like that,” she murmured.
Harry shook his head. “No. Nor do I. Not one bit.”
