Page 68 of Marigold and the Marquess
“I can question the cook and housekeeper,” Marigold said. “Perhaps they noticed something odd or overheard something useful. The housekeeper in particular ought to be aware of visitors to the house over these past few months. These ladies might open up to me since I will appear less threatening to them than you men.”
Leo shook his head and laughed. “Absolutely not. You are to go back inside right now and stay close to your friends. I’ll have Octavian and Julius escort you, Syd, and Gory back to our home. Let them all stay with you until I return.”
She hated to be pushed away, especially since Leo was seething and obviously frustrated by Denby’s unexpected demise.
He needed her more than ever now, didn’t he?
But there was a dangerous glint in his eyes which meant he was through listening to her and not about to indulge her in any way. She was not going to win any arguments with him tonight. Still, she had to make him see reason. “When do you expect to return home?”
Leo shrugged. “I have no idea. Depends on what we find out.”
“So I am to be left behind.”
“Yes, Marigold. Stop riling me. Can you not see I am at the end of my patience?”
“So am I.” Why did men always believe women were helpless and had to be protected from all unpleasantness? “You need me, Leo. I can help.”
“Indeed, you can…by keeping out of the way.” He took her by the hand and led her back inside, his hold gentle but firm. She thought to resist, but knew she would only embarrass herself since Leo was not going to relent.
She scurried along beside him, having to take two steps for his one in order to keep up as he practically dragged her across the ballroom. “Slow down, Leo. I am going to trip over the hem of my gown.”
He ignored her.
She gave up protesting, for there was no reasoning with an unreasonable man.
Leo led her to her friends, and unceremoniously planted her in the wallflower corner with Syd and Gory. He then took a moment to confer with Octavian and Julius. It was truly insulting of him to keep his frowning gaze on her all the while he spoke to them, as though he did not trust her to stay put.
Well, she did consider sneaking back outside and following him to Lord Denby’s residence.
Octavian and Julius turned to stare at her.
What had Leo just told them?
Drat, there would be no escaping their watch now.
“He’s an ogre,” Marigold said of her husband who happened to look spectacular in his black tie and tails. He melted her insides even though he was behaving like a beast to her at the moment. “Can either of you read lips?”
“No,” Gory muttered.
Syd sighed. “Sorry. Not a talent of mine. What is going on?”
“A man Leo considered a lethal enemy has just been killed in his own home.”
Both their eyes lit up.
Syd grasped her wrist. “Was he shot? Bludgeoned? Poisoned? Stabbed? Run down by a runaway carriage as he walked out of his home? Was there a lot of blood?”
Gory pursed her lips. “I hope his body was not too badly damaged. I wonder what they plan to do with his remains. Do you think I might–”
“Gory! They are not going hand the body over to you.” Marigold wondered whether she ought to be more selective in her choice of friends. One would think she had just offered them a year’s supply of ice cream at Gunter’s instead of reporting a gruesome murder. “And he was stabbed through the heart, not shot, bludgeoned, poisoned, or run over.”
“How long do they think he has been dead?” Syd asked. “Bodies deteriorate in very specific ways. I could be helpful in determining the time of death. Perhaps even the cause of death, although I suppose being stabbed through the heart is a dead giveaway…pardon the pun.”
“I wonder if worms have formed on his body yet,” Gory mused. “We really could be very helpful. I’m sure our knowledge of anatomy and body decomposition is far better than theirs. They ought to take us along. It isn’t as though we are going to attract any bachelors or dance with anyone other than Octavian and Julius.”
Syd nodded. “We have already danced with those two. I’m sure they only took it upon themselves to ask us as a favor to their brother and Adela. They would have looked after you, too, had you not already been married to Leo. Besides, I’ll wager they would rather be investigating alongside Leo.”
Gory nodded. “Maybe we can convince them to–”
