Page 88 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
“I know what he said was incredibly rude; he was in the wrong,” Tilly stated with conviction.
Laurence crouched down and lit the fire. It crackled to life, the heat hauntingly familiar to his scarred skin.
“Your Grace,” Tilly whispered, before moving deeper into the study. “Are you?—”
“Leave,” he growled.
She flinched and took a deep breath. “But you’re angry. I don’t want you to be alone when?—”
She reached out to him, and he grabbed her wrist.
“Are you deaf?” he hissed.
“Wh—”
“I said, get out! Multiple times!” he snapped.
Tears filled Tilly’s eyes. “Your Grace, let go, please,” she whispered.
“Now you want to leave?!” he barked.
“That’s not?—”
“You are so determined to stick your nose into my business and disturb my peace!” he shouted, finally letting go of her wrist.
She stumbled back and landed on her backside.
“I just wanted to make sure you were all right,” she whispered, her voice shaking.
“I am fine,” he growled. “I do not need you.”
Tilly’s chest rose and fell rapidly, and little tears rolled down her cheeks.
Laurence looked away, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. “It’s safer if you leave me alone.”
For a second, he wasn’t sure how she would react. Then, he heard her scramble up and run out of the room. He continued looking at the fire, letting it warm him. And yet his heart felt cold.
The sound of Tilly’s chamber door slamming shut echoed down the hall.
He hoped this would be enough to protect her.
CHAPTER 17
“Tilly? Tilly, what happened?” Edith called from outside her door. She could hear Tilly sobbing into her pillows.
Pushing the door open, she could see the little girl crying hard into the bed, her little shoulders shaking.
“Tilly,” Edith began, going to sit on the bed. “Lord Hargrove is gone, you’re safe.”
Tilly shook her head, sniffling.
Edith’s brow creased with concern, and she gently rubbed Tilly’s back.
“Why are you crying?” she whispered.
“I-I-I went to see H-His Grace,” Tilly hiccupped.
Edith’s heart stopped. “What happened?” she asked.
