Page 26 of Marigold and the Marquess
He returned shortly after four o’clock. Marigold was beginning to worry he had forgotten about her and gone off in his carriage, leaving her and Hortensia to make their own way home. But he strode in with apologies for his tardiness. “After giving my statement to the magistrate, I dashed off to the Royal Society to speak to Lotheil about those villains. He was furious, especially after last year’s incident between Huntsford’s wife and one of their Fellows. To have three more caught attempting to steal, this time your bones, put him in an apoplectic fit. He called an immediate meeting of the board and wanted me to remain there to address them. I hurried back as soon as I was done giving them a piece of my mind.”
“I wish I could have seen you excoriate those bounders. I certainly have a lot to say about their intolerable standards and the scoundrels they are admitting into their member ranks over serious scholars who happen to be women.”
“If it is any consolation, I said much the same to them.”
She smiled up at him. “Well, thank you for that.”
He gave a small nod. “I think it is time I took you home. I did not mean to be so delayed. How is Hortensia doing?”
“She is fine. Probably took a nap after we ate. I wanted to take her on a tour of the museum but she had no interest in it.”
“You sound disappointed.”
She nodded. “I am.”
“Don’t be,” he said, trying to mollify her. “At Hortensia’s age, merely walking might be too stressful for her. Having to navigate amid a crowd would be impossible.”
“She walks just fine. I don’t think she cares about old fossils.”
Leo grinned. “Because she is one. Hits too close to home.”
Marigold laughed. “That is a mean thing to say, but accurate.”
She placed her arm in his as they climbed the stairs to retrieve Hortensia. The instinct to hold onto him was so natural, Marigold did not realize she was doing it until they reached the landing. Even then, she found it hard to let go of him. “Oh.”
“Did you forget something?”
She shook her head. “No, it is nothing.”
They rode back to Chipping Way, keeping their conversation to the museum artifacts and the design she and Mr. Smythe-Owens had decided upon for the display of her strange skull and the creature to which it belonged.
Marigold was a little saddened Hortensia had shown no interest, but Leo more than made up for it by asking detailed and intelligent questions that went a long way toward cheering her up. The carriage drew up in front of the Farthingale townhouse and he helped both of them down. Hortensia hurried inside, but as Marigold was about to follow, he held her back.
Marigold sighed as she watched Hortensia scamper inside with the agility of a gazelle. “She is glad this day is finally over.”
“Don’t fret over her,” Leo said, his voice a deep, gentle rumble. “I am very proud of you, Marigold. Proud of all the work you are doing at the museum. Not everyone will appreciate your efforts, but I want you to know that I do.”
His kind words almost reduced her to tears.
How could he be so genuinely thoughtful and not intend to marry her?
Well, it would take months of getting to know each other better before he would ever seriously consider offering for her hand. As tonevermarrying her? That was too ridiculous to contemplate. “Thank you, Leo.”
“What matters most is that you love what you are doing. I’m sorry for what happened today.”
She placed her hand lightly on his arm. “Don’t be. It was the best day ever for me.”
He nodded. “It was nice for me, too.”
“Only nice? Leo, admit it. The day was splendid.”
“All right. Yes, it was splendid. Best ever.”
She knew he was only saying this to be polite. He had enjoyed some of it, particularly their kiss. Yet, neither of them could forget what happened in the Hall of Dragons. Why had he become physically ill at the mere thought of entering that exhibit?
In time, she hoped to learn the answer.
For now, she would hold onto the magic of their kiss.
