Page 27 of Marigold and the Marquess
Dream of it.
But never push him to kiss her again.
He was a wealthy, bachelor marquess just returned to town and not looking to form any attachments right now. “I had better see to Mallow. I’m sure he missed me.”
She had no sooner uttered the words than the little spaniel came tearing out of the house and leaped straight into Leo’s arms. “Traitor!” she said with a laugh, wanting to spank the impertinent dog. She had bent down and stretched out her arms to pick him up, but he had run straight past her, finding a new favorite in Leo.
The laughter caught in her throat when she turned to Leo, for he had such a raw expression on his face.
Traitor.
That word had stirred something inside of him.
What was it?
Obviously something to do with lies, betrayal…dishonor. Was he the one betrayed? Or had he done the betraying?
“Mallow, I cannot play with you today,” he mumbled, handing the spaniel into Marigold’s arms. He bid her a hasty farewell and strode across the street to his home.
His driver flicked the reins to return the carriage to the mews.
Marigold sighed. “Mallow, we are going to have to talk to the family about the marquess. Something is going on with him.”
She walked back into the house, determined to do some investigating about this man who had been fearless when taking on three attackers but could not walk into a windowless room. He had kissed her with glorious heat and gentle possession. Yet, the look in his eyes after she had blurted the word ‘traitor’ had been icy and filled with murderous rage.
Then that lethal look was gone in the blink of an eye, leaving her wondering whether she had imagined his response.
The man was considered a hero, which meant he was unlikely to be the traitor.
But had someone betrayed him?
Mallow barked to shake her out of her thoughts. “You are right, you little scamp. I had better not get involved. In fact, I think we need to put a little distance between ourselves and the marquess. He will come to us when he is ready.”
But Marigold did not see him for a full week afterward.
She occupied her days by helping Mr. Smythe-Owens set up the elaborate dragon display. It would take weeks to finish. She even allowed Mallow to escape into the marquess’s garden a time or two so she could pretend to be searching for him. But the marquess never came out. Instead, he sent his butler to see to her and Mallow each time. “I’m sorry, Miss Farthingale,” Sterling would say. “The marquess is busy at the moment and cannot come out to greet you.”
Each time, she responded equally disingenuously. “Thank you, Sterling. Please convey my regards. I did not intend to intrude, but Mallow escaped. He misses Lord Muir. I’ll do my best to keep us from irritating him.”
Sterling would then smile kindly because he truly was a kind man. “It is always a delight to see you, Miss Farthingale.”
Each time, she would walk back across the street, trying not to appear dejected. She had tried again today and received the same crushing response. It was time to forget Leo and his scorching kisses. Well, she’d had only the one kiss.
There was a soiree to attend this evening at her cousin Dillie’s house. Marigold returned to her bedchamber to prepare for it. She had attended one ball and two musicales this week, acquiring three suitors over the course of these affairs.
Her family was pleased.
She was heartbroken.
Leo had gone to those as well, but took pains to ignore her.
In truth, he ignored almost everyone while taking a turn about the room before heading off to do whatever handsome, wealthy bachelors did on their own in an evening.
Not that she cared.
That he had not deigned to acknowledge her just proved what an oaf he was. She was invisible to him, but other gentlemen liked her. One had even declared her to be a diamond. However, she did not feel very bright or lustrous.
Her three suitors kept her entertained. They flirted with her outrageously and fought for her attention. Unfortunately, they did not interest her. How could they compare to Leo? She always found them lacking.
