Page 7 of Marigold and the Marquess
“You are quite passionate about your skull,” he remarked.
“Yes, I am.” More tingles shot through her, for there was something exquisite in the way he was looking at her. “Is it possible to be too passionate about a thing, my lord? Or am I hopelessly eccentric because this is what I felt as I began to unearth this giant lizard head and realized what it was?”
He grinned. “I would call you charming rather than eccentric. You do appear to be expressive in your feelings, not that I find fault with that either.”
“I know I am,” she said with a nod. “At times, I wish I were a bit more stoic and better able to hide my feelings. But not about these cave discoveries. I hope you will not be bored watching me and the curators sort through the contents. I cannot lay claim to finding anything beyond this skull and a few of the bones. We work as a team and most of the finds belong to Duchess Adela and the members of her Devonshire explorer’s club.”
“You will not bore me, Miss Farthingale. I do not believe there is the slightest chance of it.”
“Thank you, Lord Muir. Most people would disagree with you, especially the young men I am introduced to at these eleganttonaffairs.” She cast him a wincing smile. “I have gotten quite good at chasing them away. Not on purpose, mind you. But honestly, what else are we to talk about if not these extraordinary finds? The weather?” She rolled her eyes. “Their latest horse purchases? These gentlemen all seem to spend their lives at the Tattersalls auctions looking for the next horse they will race at Newmarket.”
“Well, it is an interesting pastime. Better than gambling, although I expect some hefty wagers are placed on those horses.”
“I did find these conversations interesting, at first. But every one of my dance partners would speak of nothing else.”
“So, it quickly became tiresome for you?”
“Yes.” She sighed and shook her head. “And then they had the gall to find my bones and skulls tedious. Some gentlemen even yawned as I spoke of them. Can you imagine? If I were less polite, I would have yawned right back at them when they began to prattle about their horse auctions.”
His eyes glittered with mirth. “It is their loss, Miss Farthingale.”
“That is very kind of you to say, my lord. Please call me Marigold. All my friends do. Or is this request too forward of me?”
“Do you consider me a friend?” He must have found the notion amusing, if one judged by the growing smile on his nicely formed lips.
“I do.” She nodded. “Helping me out with this unwieldy crate was very kind of you. And you haven’t yawned once as I spoke of skulls and bones. Or are you merely being polite? Do you find me as deadly dull as those other gentlemen do?
“You are not dull at all.” His expression had that dangerous look again, but his smile was exquisite. “Nor am I a polite person. You would know if I were not enjoying myself. I can be quite abrasive, at times.”
“I sensed you were not quite a gentleman, but thought it rude to say so. Especially since you have been very kind to me. I truly appreciate it, even more so because this is not in your nature and must feel quite odd to you.”
He laughed. “I do try to be polite most of the time. It isn’t really a chore. However, if I found you dull, I would have made an excuse to be rid of you by now.”
“And avoid me in the future?”
“Yes, although it is not so easily done since we are neighbors. But I find you most agreeable. You need not worry about the impression you are making on me. Still, it is best that we do not consider each other friends. People will make too much of it.”
“How so?”
“You are fresh and innocent, and new to the marriage mart. It is a cutthroat place. Some of these young ladies can be as dangerous as your relic hunters. They are your competition. Do not ever consider them as friends. They will look for any reason to have you ruined. Even something as innocent as your calling me Leo or my calling you Marigold could be sufficient to cause scandal.”
“Because we would then appear to betoofriendly with each other?”
“Quite so. I am not considered harmless. I have a rakish reputation. It is highly exaggerated, I assure you. Still, it is for your sake that we must keep to formality at all times.”
“I see, or else we might slip when in company and that would be disastrous for me?”
“Yes. You are, and must always be, Miss Farthingale to me, and nothing more.”
She tried not to appear dejected, but his words had crushed her. “And you are always to be Lord Muir? I shall try my best to remember, but Leonides suits you so well. It is a lovely name.”
“Marigold is a charming name and suits you, too. But we have only just met. You know nothing about me. I am not certain you will want to consider me a friend once you learn more.”
“Oh. Do you have many scandals attached to you?”
“Yes, and I do not intend to add flirtation with one Miss Marigold Farthingale to the extensive list.”
“I appreciate your consideration. However, I am a bit puzzled.”
