Page 45 of Marigold and the Marquess
Leo escorted Marigold into her bedchamber which was next to his. The rooms had a private interior door between them so they could come and go as they pleased, and in whatever state of undress, without need to use the hallway and risk being seen by others.
Her lamp was also lit and her draperies had been left open at his direction. Their chambers overlooked the private garden in the rear of his house which had a high wall surrounding it and trees that loomed above that wall so that no one could see into their rooms.
Of course, Marigold could close her drapes if she wished for complete privacy.
She was modest and probably slept in a prim nightgown that buttoned to her throat. He saw one just like it laid out on the bed for her.
She noticed the direction of his gaze. “My cousins wanted to get me something silky and scandalous to wear,” she said, her voice light and melodic, “but I refused. Do you mind, Leo? Was it something I ought to have done?”
“To tempt me?” He chuckled. “No, my pet. You are already more temptation than I can handle.”
The comment delighted her and she cast him another of her radiant smiles.
As for him, he had no modesty whatsoever.
He preferred to sleep naked. Nor did he care who saw him in the altogether since he needed sunshine and soft breezes upon his skin in order to nourish his soul more than he needed privacy.
He was not afraid of the darkness.
But he simply could not bear to beenclosedin it.
However, he now had Marigold to lie beside him and bring her soft warmth to nestle against his body. He longed to have her in his bed, share it with her, and share a lifetime together, although he had no idea how long his life was meant to last.
Well, he would concern himself with this tomorrow.
Tonight would be about Marigold and the pleasures they were to share. He looked forward to teaching her about intimacy and had no intention of getting any sleep tonight.
Nor would Marigold, for that matter.
“Let me help you out of your gown,” he said, betraying no sense of urgency on his part since he did not wish to rush her as she explored sensations that were new to her.
“Thank you, yes,” she said with a shaky laugh. “I’ll never be able to manage on my own.”
Since Leo had yet to engage a lady’s maid for her or a valet for himself, they would have to assist each other for the next few days until those positions were filled. Leo preferred this forced nearness since it would allow them to get to know each other better and also put Marigold more at ease before tumbling into bed with him.
However, Leo had not forgotten the matter of Beldon that now teased in a recess of his restless brain. Whatever Marigold had held back about the man was going to bother him all night unless he cleared the air now. “Marigold, what did Beldon say to you that you are so reluctant to share with me?”
She frowned lightly.
Yes, he was an obsessive idiot who could not seem to forget his need for revenge even on his wedding night. This obsession had taken years to lodge in his soul while this need to marry Marigold had come upon him mere days ago.
“Promise you won’t run off after him if I tell you.” Marigold tried to look serious, but she was just too lovely and gentle to put anyone in fear. He was the first to admit he deserved a good scolding, so he listened patiently while she turned prim schoolmistress on him. “I will not have you prowling the London streets on our wedding night, Leo.”
“I am not going to prowl anywhere but straight to your bed. Just tell me, will you?” He turned her so that her back was to him as he unfastened her buttons and lacings.
“All right, but do not make me regret my trust in you.” She glanced back at him, tossing another stern look for good measure.
Gad, he wanted to kiss those sweet, puckered lips of hers. Had any of his tutors ever been this enticing? “You can always trust me, Marigold. If I give you my word, I shall keep to it.”
She gave a little huff when he kissed her softly on the neck, but she was soon sighing and leaning against him. “Lord Beldon suggested,” she said with a lick of her lips, “um…he suggested that if I had a change of heart and did not wish to marry you, that he would marry me.”
Leo’s fingers stiffened on her lacings, but she did not seem to notice his tension and just kept talking. “He gave the impression of our eloping to Gretna Green. Honestly, Leo, I wasn’t paying any attention to him because the notion is simply ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous. Imagine, that I should choose him over you? Never in a thousand years. Nor a million years. In truth, why even put a time limit on my feelings for you when everyone knows love has no bounds? It is timeless and eternal.”
Leo meant to be irritated, but Marigold had a way of delivering the news in such a way that his heart swelled with delight. “What a bloody arse he is. All these years and he still covets what I have.”
“Well, I told him in no uncertain terms that I was marrying you. He seemed to take it rather well. Not pleased, but not enraged. What are you thinking Leo?”
First, that he did not deserve Marigold.
