Page 87 of Marigold and the Marquess
Let them all rot in a dark hole for four years and then pass judgment.
Octavian approached him. “You’ve convicted your cousin on the one fact tying him to Denby, that they were both raised in Exeter. It is a bustling thoroughfare, not some sleepy village. Thousands of people come and go through there on any given day. I understand how you are feeling and would probably feel the same as you were I in your position. I get it. But Marigold is right. You need more proof, Leo. You cannot kill a man simply because of where he lived.”
“More important,” Julius added, “you have the entire Home Office and the best Bow Street man and his team of runners working on this investigation. If there is even the whiff of a connection, they will haul your cousin in. You don’t need to do anything more. They will see justice is done.”
Now Gory came forward. “Stop thinking of revenge and start worrying about Marigold. Do you care anything for her? Because right now you are tearing her heart to pieces.”
Since everyone else had given him a piece of their mind, Syd obviously decided not to be left out. “I will never forgive you if she is too heartbroken to attend the Hall of Dragons ceremony, not to mention give her lecture. This is her pride and joy. Would you be so cruel as to spoil it for her?”
As soon as he had shown her friends to the door, he went upstairs to look in on Marigold. Even though they always slept in the same bed, they had maintained their separate quarters for practical purposes. The door was always open between their chambers unless they were bathing or dressing. Not to hide from each other, but for the sake of modesty since she had a lady’s maid and he had a valet always present at such times.
He found Marigold in her quarters, stretched out on her stomach and her face buried in her pillow as she cried her heart out. Mallow was beside her, whimpering as he curled up beside her.
He picked up Mallow, gave him a quick cuddle, then set him down on the floor. “Go to Sterling for a treat. There’s a good boy.”
Mallow stared up at him with big, sad eyes.
He sighed and knelt beside the dog. “It will be all right, Mallow. I’m not going to leave Marigold.”
Apparently assuaged, he trotted off to find Sterling.
Leo closed the door behind him, and then stretched out on the bed beside Marigold. “Hush, sweetheart. Let me hold you in my arms.”
“No. And if you dare call memy pet, I am going to hit you.” She sniffled. “Well, I am not really going to hit you…just don’t call me that anymore. I am your wife, not some little plaything brought here for your amusement.”
“All right.” Of all the woman in London, he had to fall in love with the one who had the softest heart.
He tucked his arm beneath her body and drew her up against him so that she now faced him and was nestled in his embrace. He’d heard an earful from her friends and did not wish to listen to more. Nor was he going to speak to her of this matter again.
This was no longer a matter of his getting revenge.
This was about protecting her.
Cummings wanted him dead, but he had military training and was a hard target to take down. If he were his cousin, he would be looking to get rid of Marigold. She was the easier target. Gentle, trusting, and completely untrained in the art of defense.
No matter what Marigold or her friends thought, there was no way Leo would allow Cummings to remain free to harm her. Perhaps Cummings had nothing to do with Denby’s death, but this did not mean he or Marigold were safe.
“Sweetheart,” he murmured, holding her close and caressing her until her tears subsided.
His shirt front was completely wet.
She was still sniffling as she now engaged him in conversation. “You have to tell Ian what we’ve learned and leave the matter of Cummings to him.”
“Ian and his agents are too caught up in the larger investigation, one that is of far greater importance to the Crown. But I will ask for Mr. Barrow’s help. If my cousin is hiding out in London, he will find him.”
“And if he is found?”
“Does that not prove my cousin’s guilt? Why would he come to London and hide out in some seedy, dockside inn if his motives were honorable? An innocent man would lease a respectable house in a respectable neighborhood and show his face around.”
“And this is all the proof you need to kill him?”
His entire body tensed and his jaw ached from the strain of keeping his rage under control. It was not aimed at Marigold, of course. He would never harm her. “Marigold, this is no longer about me and him…this is about protecting you. Who do you think he will go after if he cannot get to me? I cannot risk your getting hurt.”
“Oh, so you’ve put this on me now?”
“No, it is not on you. It is entirely on me to see that you remain safe.”
“Don’t kill him, Leo. You cannot hunt him down like a predatory lion searching for his next meal. I know I cannot stop you from looking for him, but this is where it has to end. If you find him, turn him over to Ian.”
