Page 101 of Marigold and the Marquess
Ambrose slapped him cordially on the back. “Good to see you again, Leo. Come with me and we’ll find our wives. You haven’t met Adela yet, have you? She and Marigold are as thick as thieves.”
“I haven’t had the pleasure, but Marigold raves about her. Your wife can do no wrong in Marigold’s eyes. She must be quite the paragon.”
“Well, she’s certainly made my life interesting,” Ambrose said with a chortle. “Come on, we’ll find them in the wallflower corner. Some things never change, do they? I’m sure they’re huddled with Syd and Gory discussing ancient bones and other dead things.”
“Julius and I will join you,” Octavian said. “They’re to play a waltz next and I’ve promised Syd to claim a dance. Her father’s been bringing some rather unsavory gentlemen around to their home lately and she’s worried he intends to marry her off to one of them. He tried it last year. I’ll be staying close to her all evening, ready to swoop in if one of those wretches tries anything with her.”
“As for Gory…” Julius shook his head. “I have no idea what her uncle has in mind for her. Not that she needs protecting. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself. Still, I think she appreciates it when we stay close.”
The four of them cut a path through the crowd.
Leo had no idea how Marigold would respond to him, but he doubted she would make a scene. She was too much of a lady. His heart shot into his throat when he saw her with her three friends. They were huddled together, their attention on something Adela held in her hands.
It happened to be the fossilized toe of a creature of indeterminate origin.
“Bloody hell, Adela,” Ambrose said with a moan. “Put that thing away.”
The ladies finally looked up.
“Leo?” Marigold blinked twice, then emitted a soft cry and flew into his arms. “Am I dreaming? Are you really here?”
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hungrily on the lips, a kiss that lasted longer than was proper. But he did not care what anyone thought. She was his wife. How much of a scandal could that stir?
Idiot marquess besotted with his beautiful wife.
Marigold deserved nothing less.
Her skin was warm and fragrant, a mix of cinnamon and mint…or something that was as fresh as mint, and he could not help inhaling the intoxicating scent. “Yes, I’m back. Can you ever forgive me for leaving you the way I did?”
She nodded. “You came back to me. Thank you, Leo. I know how difficult it must have been for you. What happened?”
“I came to my senses, that’s all. I’m so sorry I abandoned you. Suddenly, getting to Cummings did not seem important. I realized I had to be here for you. He’s still a danger, mind you. He needs to be dealt with.”
She nodded. “Ian’s sent Lorcan to bring him back for questioning.”
“I know. I encountered Lorcan at a coaching inn as I was riding back home. He did not have to convince me to turn around, for I was already on my way home.” That sounded nice, the mention of home. Marigold was this very thing for him. It wasn’t the pretty townhouse on Chipping Way. What made it a home was Marigold living there with him.
That she appeared so willing to forgive him was a testament to the kindness in her heart. He silently promised himself never to hurt her like this again.
They now turned to their friends so that Ambrose could introduce him to Adela. She was an attractive, young woman with intelligent eyes. Ambrose seemed content in the marriage, an obvious love match. “I’m glad to finally meet you, Leo. Marigold has told me so much about you.”
He winced. “Some of it good, I hope.”
She nodded. “All of it. I assume you will be attending tomorrow’s opening of our Hall of Dragons, and Marigold’s lecture.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” He gave Marigold’s hand a light squeeze.
They spoke a little longer, then Leo excused himself to go in search of Ian. “He isn’t here,” Marigold said. “He’s in the midst of taking down Denby’s cohorts. They’ve found the man who was paid to kill Denby and offered him leniency if he told them everything.”
“They found him?”
She nodded. “Yes, and were able to match the scrap of fabric I found in Denby’s garden to a tear in his coat. That button, too. So, with this man now talking, all is falling into place. Mr. Barrow is also contacting his sources and Finn is still digging through Denby’s accounts to come up with more names. They now have half a dozen men in custody who are confessing their misdeeds and naming more names.”
“This paid killer was reluctant, at first,” Octavian said. “But as others were brought in, he realized he had better start cooperating.”
“So, he spilled his guts?” Leo felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him, but also regret that he had not been there to assist. He had only himself to blame, for his stubborn determination to take down Cummings had blinded him to all else going on around him.
Octavian nodded. “Yes, apparently so. Seems the cur was willing to give up his own grandmother to save his hide.”
