Page 114 of Marigold and the Marquess
The crowd was enthralled by the bones she passed around. Someone remarked on the bite marks on bone number 5. Marigold cleared her throat. “Yes, well. Sometimes wild dogs get to them before we do.”
Syd snorted. “Wild dogs? By the name of Mallow, by any chance?”
“It is within the realm of possibility,” Leo remarked.
Everyone got to their feet and cheered when she finished her talk. She remained beside the lectern graciously answering questions.
Ambrose walked over to him. “Well? How does it feel to be married to London’s sensation of the Season?”
“Feels good. I had no idea she was this knowledgeable about ancient artifacts.” This gem had been sparkling before his very eyes, but he had been so caught up in his dark thoughts, he’d paid no attention to how much of a treasure she was. He must have hurt her feelings quite badly, so lost was he in thinking only of himself.
Yes, he had told her that he was proud of her and encouraged her to pursue her passion for archeology. But it was all superficial bluster because he was not really paying attention to all she was quietly accomplishing on her own.
He hoped his presence here today would make up for some of it. Marigold, with her sweet, kind heart had already forgiven him.
He knew he needed to do much more to earn that forgiveness.
“She fits right in with Adela, Syd, and Gory,” Ambrose remarked. “They are very intelligent women. This is partly the reason I opened the Huntsford Academy. No one is shut out. All scholars are welcome.”
“Is this your idea of recreating ancient Athens in England?”
Ambrose nodded. “Something like that. More in honor of my father. This was really his dream, but my brothers and I understood the importance of it and were determined to bring it to fruition. The Hall of Dragons is a spectacular success. We’ll be adding to it, of course. But I’m also going to be opening a forensic laboratory. I’m thinking of asking Gory to be in charge of it. The girl is brilliant.”
Leo arched an eyebrow. “That will cause an uprising among the scientific community, not to mention your wealthy donors. Will anyone use your services if they know a woman is in charge?”
“Perhaps not at first. But one must start somewhere, is that not so?”
Leo nodded.
“Just look at the enthusiastic responses Adela and Marigold have received with their presentations. The public does not care. It is only the so-called gatekeepers who are afraid of them and would rather stifle innovation than allow outsiders into their ranks. Others are kept out for the sole purpose of protecting their territory. It matters nothing to them that their ideas are often outdated and inflexible.”
As the day drew to an end and the museum was now closing, Marigold sought Leo out. “There you are. I thought you might have gone home without me,” she teased.
“Never, love.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I heard your opening speech and then I was in the front row to hear your lecture. I had no idea you were an authority on ancient bones.”
“I’m not really. Adela knows more than I do. And Gory and Syd certainly know more about anatomy than either of us. But this is the fun of our explorer’s club. The ideas that flow are inspiring.”
“Are husbands allowed?”
She nodded eagerly. “Yes, of course.”
He caressed her cheek. “I listened as everyone raved about you. I even gave some young newspaper man an interview about you. He said his name was Hawkins and he identified himself as a reporter for one of the gossip rags. Ambrose assured me it was all right to talk to him, that the man had been with you on the Devonshire dig.”
Marigold nodded. “I think he is sweet on Miss Appleby. She’s the talented artist in our group who sent Mr. Smythe-Owens the sketches she copied off the cave walls. Mr. Hawkins is also an amateur archeologist and has joined our explorer’s club. However, his gossip sheet assignments prevent him from attending most of our meetings. Leo, have you been inside the Hall of Dragons yet?”
“No.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Some things are not so easily overcome. Dark room. No windows. Maybe next time.”
“I understand.”
But she looked disappointed. The skull was her treasured find. The display had stunned even the most jaded of museum patrons. Even the Duke of Wooton had come by, which was quite a coup since the man was never known to leave the Home Office. After viewing the exhibit, Wooton had come up to him and offered his congratulations. Of course, Leo had done nothing. The triumph belonged to Marigold and Adela. “I’m sorry, love. Truly.”
She placed her arm in his. “Leo, youneverhave to apologize to me for this.”
He frowned. “But it is something you cherish.”
She looked up at him, his little ray of sunshine. “I cherish you more. Let’s go home.” Then she laughed. “I almost fainted when someone in the audience commented on Mallow’s bite marks on that bone. Did you hear them?”
He chuckled, too. “Yes, love. You handled it beautifully.”
