Page 3 of Marigold and the Marquess
He nodded. “That I am.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Lord Muir. Forgive my intrusion.”
“No harm done.” It was early afternoon and Leo was ready to take a break from his work, anyway. “Would you care to join me? I was about to have refreshments on the terrace.”
“I should like that very much, but I had better not. I hope you will invite me again soon, however.”
“Yes, I will.” One in his position could not afford to let a ray of sunshine like Marigold slip away.
She glanced at Mallow. “He is restless and will not behave for long. He can be a very naughty fellow, at times.”
Leo smothered another grin, for so could he be naughty.
Men were men, no matter what breed, and this girl was lovely.
He would never misbehave with Marigold, of course.
The girl was luscious, but far too innocent.
He lifted the skull from her lap and reached out a hand. “Let me help you up, Miss Farthingale.”
She plunked Mallow in his outstretched hand instead and gracefully rose on her own.
“Behave,” she warned the tiny spaniel when he barked as she took him back in her arms. She was trying to come across as stern, but her voice was too soft and lilting to scare that impudent beast.
Since she had her hands full with the squirming spaniel, Leo offered to carry the skull for her as he escorted her across the street. “You are frowning, Miss Farthingale.”
She shook her satin mane of hair. “The hour is growing late and I must get that crate of bones to the Huntsford Academy before it closes. But Aunt Sophie and Uncle John are not back yet. Well, they are not truly my aunt and uncle but it seems quite cumbersome to constantly refer to John as my first cousin once removed. He and my father are cousins.”
He merely nodded, for Sterling had confirmed this to him earlier. “I can take you to Huntsford’s museum. Most of my work is done for the day and it will do me good to get out. Bring your maid along for the sake of propriety.”
Her eyes sparkled as they widened in surprise. “Are you certain you do not mind?”
“It will be my pleasure.” He opened the gate to the Farthingale townhouse and escorted her up the walk. “Give me a few minutes to have my carriage readied and I’ll come by to collect you shortly.”
She cast him a radiant smile. “I shall be waiting with the crate, but without Mallow. He may be little, but he can cause big mischief. It would not do to bring him with us only to have him chew the prized exhibits. However, I had better ask my cousin Violet to join us. She is more appropriate a chaperone than my maid. She and her husband reside at Number 1 Chipping Way. Do you know Captain Brayden?”
“Yes, Romulus? I also know his brother, James, Earl of Exmoor.”
She shook her head. “You really know everyone, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “Our elite circles are small. We go to the same schools, fight the same wars, belong to the same clubs, go to the same parties. I’ve been away from England for a while and haven’t seen any of them in several years.”
“And now you are rekindling your acquaintances?”
“You might say that.”
“Then shall I see you at the round of balls, soirees, and teas? This is my first year on the marriage mart, however I have been in London for quite a few months now…well, traveling back and forth to Devonshire and those ancient caves. Thank goodness for my friends and family. I would otherwise find this matchmaking marketplace quite daunting.”
“You won’t be in it for long, I’m sure. Some gentleman will come along and quickly claim you.”
She laughed. “I hope not. I am in no hurry to wed. Eighteen years is a little too young to be married, don’t you think? Twenty is a much better age. I wish I were twenty, already. Most of my friends are, but they think of me as a child and do not take me very seriously.”
“Because you are charmingly innocent and obviously have little experience in the world. That is a good thing. The world can be harsh.”
He had walked her to the door and now waited for Pruitt, the Farthingale butler, to open it and allow her in before he left Marigold’s side to call for his carriage.
“My time in the Devonshire caves with the duke and duchess, and the Huntsford archeological staff was a marvelous experience. But you are right. Other than that, I’ve done nothing of note.”
