Page 111 of Marigold and the Marquess
By the time Ian and the magistrate had finished questioning Leo, and the constables had carted the body away, the sun was coming up and birds were now twittering in the treetops. As for Mr. Barrow, he’d chosen to grab a few hours of sleep in another of their guest chambers in order to look in on his men.
By the time everyone else left to return to their homes, Marigold could hardly move her legs to make her way upstairs.
She had so much she wanted to say to Leo, but all thoughts fled when she entered their bedchamber. She did not remember slipping out of her gown, or climbing into bed, or setting her head upon her pillow. She was asleep on her feet and could remember nothing after she had entered her bedchamber, except for ogling Leo as he removed his shirt and then wrapped his arms around her as he led her to bed.
This was all she ever needed, to be in his arms.
Jenny woke her up what felt like five minutes later but had actually been four hours. “My lady, it is ten o’clock. You will never make it to the Huntsford Academy on time if you do not get up now.”
“Let my husband go first.” Marigold felt along her bed, but Leo was not there. She sat up, still groggy. “Where is he?”
“Checking on the injured Bow Street men. He’s already washed and dressed, and has had his breakfast.”
“Gad, that man is irritating. Must he be perfect in everything? He is the one who ought to be exhausted and yet he is awake and perky as a daisy.”
Jenny giggled. “Well, he is not exactly perky. He is usually frowning and grumbling unless you are around. You are the one who makes him smile.”
Marigold found this heartwarming. “I make him smile?”
Jenny nodded. “But he won’t be smiling if he sees you still abed when there are a hundred people waiting for you to make your speech at the Huntsford Academy. Mr. Barrow has already headed over there. He wants his men in place well before the ceremonies start.”
There was a knock at her door.
Marigold hoped it was Leo, but it turned out to be some of their staff bringing up the tub Jenny must have ordered for her. As soon as the others left, all save Jenny who had remained to assist her, she scampered out of bed, tossed off her nightclothes…who had changed her into those? Then she sank into the tub and scrubbed herself while Jenny washed her hair.
Once done, she donned her robe and sat on the window seat while brushing out her hair. Jenny had opened the window to allow in the fresh air and Marigold caught the scent of lilacs now in bloom. The sun was brightly shining and it promised to be a beautiful day.
The birds were still chirping in the trees.
Well, a lot had happened last night and even her feathered friends must have had something to say about Leo’s horrid cousin and the manner in which he met his demise.
Her housekeeper knocked at her door and then quietly poked her head in. “My lady, I thought you might prefer to have your breakfast in your bedchamber this morning. I had Cook prepare something light since your stomach might be in a roil after last night’s excitement. Not to mention today’s opening ceremonies at the Huntsford Academy.”
“Thank you, Martha.” Her stomach was in a knot of anticipation, for she had never given a lecture before or even a short, introductory speech. She could not handle more than a cup of hot cocoa and a bland crumpet to tide her over.
Her hair was still damp, but Jenny styled it in an elegant, upward sweep that would frame her face softly once her hair dried.
For today’s events, she donned a cream silk gown and a pale green pelisse with gold silk trim that went over the gown. The outfit was completed by a gold silk belt that wrapped around her body just below the bodice and tied at the front with an elegant, gold clasp. She donned pale green slippers and a jaunty hat that resembled a French beret with a pale green feather sticking out of it.
Leo strode in as she was about to go in search of him.
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the bedpost. “Love, you look beautiful.”
She blushed. “You are looking quite handsome yourself.”
Dear heaven, this wasn’t the half of it. He looked magnificent, clad in dark jacket, buff trousers, shirt of crisp, white lawn, a silk cravat, and a waistcoat of forest green that matched the color of his eyes and seemed to enhance the beauty of them. “Leo, you do not even look tired. How do you manage it? Jenny made me lie back for a full ten minutes holding cucumber slices over my eyes to take away the purple circles under them.”
He moved toward her now, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her neck. “That explains why you are so delicious.”
She laughed. “Oh, you beast. You smell wonderful, too. I will never get out of this bedchamber if you don’t stop tempting me. Did Ethan add fragrant oils to your bath again this morning?”
He groaned. “Yes, and do not encourage him. A man should not smell like a flower garden.”
She brushed her hand along his cheek and the line of his jaw. “He did a nice job shaving you, too.”
“I shaved myself. I am not completely helpless.”
She rested her hand against his jaw. “No,” she said in a ragged whisper, “you are quite amazing.”
