Page 76 of Marigold and the Marquess
Leo frowned. “If there is a connection between the Beldon and Denby, I mean to find the solid proof of it.”
Marigold nodded. “And we’ll help.”
Botheration.
He knew Marigold was eager to investigate with him, even though this was the last thing he wanted. Someone had killed Denby. Perhaps this same person wished to kill him. He did not want Marigold anywhere near him if an attempt was made on his life.
Neither Marigold or her friends seemed in the least concerned.
“Yes, Leo,” Gory said. “You must let us help. And before you utter a protest, just stop this nonsense of protecting thelittleladies. You know I am not delicate in the least.”
“Nor am I,” Syd added.
Marigold, who could not look fierce even if her life depended on it, cast him a determined frown. “Nor am I. And don’t you dare snicker at me, Leo. I may be younger and have less experience than the rest of you, but I am not stupid.”
Had he made her feel inferior? It was never his intention. But he was not surprised this was her conclusion since he was refusing to consummate their union and had shut her out of many parts of his life.
Of course, his reticence had made her feel as though their marriage was a sham even though it was quite precious to him. “Am I snickering? You are right. It is time I brought you all in, but not in any dangerous capacity. I could use your research talents. Nothing else.”
Syd shot to her feet, then sighed and sat back down. “Well, it is better than nothing. Tell us more.”
As they listened, he gave them a little of his history with Denby and spoke of the ambush in the Carpathian mountains. However, he glossed over his years in captivity, merely mentioning it in passing since there was nothing much to say about it other than to list the warring factions he believed had imprisoned him.
The mention of those warring factions was only relevant because the ladies might turn up something in Denby’s past that linked him specifically to one of those factions. “I was handed off from one to another, but the prisons were pretty much the same.” So were the beatings, but he was not going to mention those either because recounting the misery he had been put through would leave softhearted Marigold in tears again.
“But they kept you alive,” Octavian said, musing aloud. “There must be some significance in that.”
Leo nodded. “I often wondered at the reason. I still do not know why. There was never a ransom request, so they weren’t looking to take my money or extort the Crown. So why not simply kill me and be done with it?”
“Someone wanted you alive,” Marigold remarked. “That sounds like Beldon, right? He wanted you to suffer, but also wanted to keep you around so he could continue to play his envy games.”
Leo stared into his glass. “But why keep me imprisoned for four years if this was his plan?”
“Because he had lied himself into a corner,” Marigold said, her lips delicately pursed as she gave her reasoning. “How could he come forward? It would mean revealing his betrayal. Yet, he must have had some hold over Denby. I don’t know. This is all quite confusing. Denby was afraid of what you might learn about him if you were ever set free. So, he agreed to Beldon’s demand to keep you alive, but would not allow you to be set free until enough time had passed to put some distance between those involved in your capture and then your eventual release.”
“Let’s concentrate on Denby for the moment since he is obviously a party of interest,” Gory said. “Is it not troubling that he is so enigmatic to you and the Crown agents who pride themselves on knowing everything?”
“He even has Mr. Barrow stumped,” Julius added, “and he is just as clever as any Crown agent.”
Leo nodded. “Yes, I know. Everyone is puzzled. Ian has had his agents digging into Denby’s past, as I mentioned.”
Syd leaned forward in her seat. “But you still want our research skills?”
“Do you want us questioning his staff and neighbors?” Marigold glanced at her friends. “Surely, the Crown agents and Mr. Barrow would have questioned them already.”
“I do not want you anywhere near his staff and neighbors. What I need you to do is discretely drop hints to the ladies in your social circles. Get them talking and see if anyone knows something about Denby or Beldon. Gossip, rumors, actual knowledge. Make note of all of it.”
“We can do this,” Marigold said. “Lady Withnall is London’s most notorious gossip. She knows everyone’s secrets, does she not?”
Syd agreed. “Yes, that is an excellent place to start. Denby seems to be the link to quite a bit of underhanded goings on. She must have heard something.”
Leo liked the idea for several reasons.
Lady Withnall was an excellent resource and also knew how to be discreet. Most important, questioning her would distract Marigold and her friends and keep them away from Denby’s townhouse while it remained an active site of investigation.
The killer had run off after stabbing Denby, but who was to say he would not return to the scene of the crime to find out if they had hit upon any leads? Denby knew too much and this had gotten him killed.
If he had partners in these shady operations, and Leo was fairly certain the Carpathian mining venture was only one of many schemes, then this was an organized ring with several highly placed members. They had to be concerned Denby might talk if caught. But he might also have left behind incriminating documents that would expose them, so it was quite possible these villains would lurk near Denby’s residence…or perhaps torch it.
