Page 82 of Marigold and the Marquess
Marigold gasped.
Leo was equally surprised. “You’ve held him all this time? Why? I did not think you knew about the incident between him and me in front of the Huntsford Academy. And why would you care about that?”
“I didn’t really. But I reopened all the files on the Carpathian matter once you were freed, and did not like what I read. I’ve been at this long enough to sense when something does not smell right. His attacking you in front of Marigold gave me sufficient grounds to hold him. He will not be released any time soon. It is very possible he will be hanged for his role in your capture and the sabotage of those mining negotiations. I thought you ought to know.”
Marigold nudged him.
Leo sighed. “Yes, good news. Beldon’s a nasty one.”
Ian nodded. “Why does he hate you so much, Leo?”
“I have no idea. Truly, he has envied me ever since we were in school together. My grades were better. I excelled in sports. But I never gloated over a win since it would have been poor sportsmanship. The young ladies seemed to prefer me over him. Nothing specific. As far as I know, I never stole a sweetheart from him. In truth, I would have purposely begged off even if I had liked the girl because it was the honorable thing to do.”
He turned to Marigold and tucked a finger under her chin. “Although, had you been his sweetheart, I might not have been so honorable.”
She cast him an impertinent grin. “Thank you, Leo.”
He nodded and continued. “Beldon seems to have fed on this loathing over the years. Well, I don’t suppose his reasons matter much now. As long as he is out of the way. My greatest worry has always been that he might harm Marigold.”
“I have him securely locked away. That is not going to happen now.”
Leo gave Marigold a light kiss on the forehead. “Our greatest concern now is to have your dragon exhibit finished in time for its grand opening.”
Marigold studied him. “And finding your cousin, Cummings.”
“I will take care of him.” He’d spoken with too much vehemence judging by the way Marigold and Ian were now frowning at him.
With good cause, he supposed.
Having been deprived of Beldon and Denby, he mean to get his hands on Cummings before anyone else took care of him first.
Marigold continued to frown at him.
He arched an eyebrow. “What?”
“You may not care about saving our marriage, but I do.”
“I will not have this discussion with you. I do not need you protecting me from myself.”
“Enough, Leo,” Ian said, sounding quite the duke in authority. “Are you going to search the grounds or not?”
“Are you going to pull rank on me and order me around? You are not my commanding officer.”
“Actually, I am in command here, as you well know. I will kick you off this investigation if you don’t behave. Your wife is welcome to stay, however. She has a much better attitude than you. Leo, stop looking at me as though you want to murder me. I seem to value your life more than you do. You are in a very dark place and must pull yourself out of it.”
“Easier said than done,” Leo grumbled.
“I know you are trying to put the past behind you, so don’t let it swallow you up now. Keep moving forward. You would not have married Marigold if you truly wished to destroy yourself.”
“He had to marry me,” Marigold reminded him.
Ian cast her a gentle smile. “No, he did not have to kiss you and he did not have to marry you. But he did both anyway because he knows he needs you.”
“No,” she replied quietly. “I mostly get in his way.”
Leo’s heart tugged.
He had to stop behaving like an arse and make things right with Marigold. “Come on, love.” He marched out of the house with Marigold by his side.
