Page 37 of Marigold and the Marquess
As he introduced her to the butlers, maids, and his cook and her scullery girls, Marigold realized he did not have a housekeeper or a valet. Since he was only one person and did not seem the sort to rely on anyone but himself, she supposed his household functioned smoothly. But once they were married, they would be expected to host parties and in general do more entertaining than he had ever done.
She did not think he had done any entertaining at all, unless it was to bring a paramour up to his bedchamber. Yet, she did not think he would ever permit a woman other than his wife into that sanctuary. It was likely he did no entertaining whatsoever in his home. But she hoped to host her local explorer’s club which at the moment consisted only of bluestockings Adela, Syd, Gory, and her. As they got the word out about their finds in the Devonshire caves, Marigold was certain the club’s popularity would grow. She also wished to take a turn hosting her Farthingale cousins meetings.
Those engagements could be sorted out at a later time.
She also dared not ask about their sleeping arrangements.
Having forced this wedding on him, she did not think he wished to share a bedchamber with her. She would not press him on the matter. Perhaps it was something to consider in the future, once they got to know each other better.
However, she would ask permission to hire a lady’s maid to attend to her personally since this could not be put off. One of the maids on staff might do, so long as she could style hair and knew how to properly maintain her clothes.
“Miss Farthingale and I are betrothed,” Leo said, addressing his staff. “We shall marry within the week. Sir Mallow will be moving in, as well.”
Mallow barked his approval.
Marigold smiled at all of them, told them how pleased she was to meet them, and then returned to the parlor with Leo. “Your lips are pursed, Marigold. What is the matter?”
“Nothing, really. It’s just that…would you mind very much if I hired a housekeeper for us once we are married?” She hurriedly explained her reasoning. “And I will need a maid to help me with my hair and dressing. Um, I think you will also require a valet. But we can manage if you prefer not to engage one.”
She was waiting for him to pass a remark, but he merely nodded as he closed the door to the parlor to give them privacy. Mallow had trotted in with them and was now shadowing Leo as he walked back to her side and took the seat next to her. “I’ll leave it up to you to do whatever you think best in the running of the house.”
She stared at him. “Really?”
He grinned. “Yes, Marigold. Really. Just let me know how much of an allowance you’ll require for your weekly needs and I will make certain sufficient funds are put at your disposal. However, I would like to interview the candidate you select as my valet before you offer him the position.”
“Of course. I’ll speak to Aunt Sophie before I interview anyone. Pruitt and Sterling might also offer helpful suggestions. Perhaps you ought to be the one to actually interview these valet candidates since you are the one who must get along with the man.”
He nodded again. “All right, I will. That settles it. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
“No, not at present. How about you? Is there anything you wish to ask of me?”
“No, my pet. Nothing about the household. What are your plans for today?”
“I had hoped to spend time at the Huntsford Academy overseeing the new exhibit, but I think the ladies in my family have other ideas. I fear I will be caught up in wedding preparations for most of the day. You know my cousins Dillie, Daisy, and Laurel since they are Sophie’s daughters, and you were arguing with their husbands in the library last night. But I have another six cousins living in London, all of them married, and all of them meddlesome. They will be coming over to Sophie’s today, as well as Eloise and Lady Withnall.”
“That is quite a group.”
“I think they are more excited about the wedding than I am. Oh, I am very pleased to be marrying you, but it is all quite hurried and I am saddened that it has been forced upon you.”
“Don’t be. I was to blame. So, no Hall of Dragons for you today?”
She sighed. “No, not a single dragon skull in the offing. I will be immersed in talk of flowers, cakes, wedding gowns, and invitations. Oh, Leo, I’m so sorry. We’ll have at least sixty guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast afterward…and those are solely on my side of the family and my explorer’s club friends. Is there anyone you wish to invite?”
“No, I have no siblings. The nearest relation is a cousin who resides in Exeter. I haven’t seen him above three times in my entire life. He would never make it in time, not to mention he is among my list of suspects. As for my friends, I haven’t seen most in over four years, and more than half of them are related to you anyway. I am well acquainted with Ian, Gabriel, and Graelem, as well as Julian Emory who is married to your cousin, Rose. I owe all of them a debt of gratitude, for they looked after my estate while I was…well, they were appointed by the Crown as my conservators during my absence. Good thing, too. That cousin of mine is a weasel and would have squandered all my assets had he been put in charge. By the way, I hold a minority interest in Julian and Rose’s pottery business.”
“Oh, Rose will be there today without question. As eldest of Sophie’s daughters, she is bound to take charge…or at least attempt it. They are all going to have opinions and will not hesitate to express them. I might sneak off to the Huntsford Academy if it all gets too much for me.”
He took her hands in his. “I think you will manage your family quite well, Marigold. You seem to manage me with little difficulty.”
She looked at him, surprised. “I? Manage you?”
“Yes, though it is mostly because I don’t mind your intrusion.”
She rose. “It was not my intention to intrude on your day. I merely wanted to see how you were faring. I thought you would be livid about what happened last night and I came over in the hope of calming you down. But you are not angry at all. Or are you seething and merely hiding it very well?”
He rose along with her. “I am not angry, nor am I seething. I plan to enjoy our wedded bliss for as long as it lasts.”
“Should it not last forever?” Marigold’s heart tightened. “Leo, what do you mean by that remark?”
