Page 65 of Marigold and the Marquess
To Leo’s surprise, Denby did not show up.
He was missing at the supper table, a fact that upset Lady Gaston since her table was now out of balance and everyone remarked upon the empty seat.
He did not send a note expressing his regrets, nor did he show up for the musicale or the card games afterward or the desserts served at midnight, after which there was dancing. “Leo, where are you going?” Marigold asked as the evening drew near its end.
“Something is wrong.”
“Here? At Lady Gaston’s?”
“Denby did not show up. The reason has to be directly related to that mission four years ago. I am going to scout the property.”
She cast him a stubborn look. “I’ll go with you.”
“Enough, my pet. I need to do this on my own. I won’t be more than a few minutes.” He left Marigold in the watchful care of her friends, Syd, Gory, and the Thorne brothers, Octavian and Julius.
He searched Lady Gaston’s house and garden because this unexpected turn of events had him on edge.
Where was Denby? And did this mean someone was coming after him next? He doubted they would do it here, but it was possible he was being watched.
Or was he overly thinking this? Denby may have heard he was to attend and merely feared facing him.
With good reason, Leo supposed. Four years of rage and despair had turned him savage. It had not escaped his notice that Ian had stayed close, watching him much of the evening. Well, he also had to be worried about what he would do at the first sight of Denby.
Why wasn’t the man here?
Or was the miserable vermin hiding in the bushes and waiting for the opportunity to get a clear shot at him?
He returned to Marigold’s side a few minutes later. “No sign of him,” he muttered in response to her questioning gaze.
She released a soft breath. “Good.”
He frowned at her, annoyed because she was right.
“Lord Muir,” a footman said, approaching Leo as he was about to lead Marigold onto the dance floor for a waltz. It wasn’t so much that he wished to dance but wanted a reason to hold her in his arms.
Leo reluctantly released Marigold and turned to the footman who was holding out a note for him. “The gentleman said it was urgent he speak to you. He looks rather common, my lord.”
“Did he have a red, bulbous nose and sharp eyes?” Marigold asked. “A portly man?”
“Yes, my lady. He gave his name as Mr. Barrow and said you would know who he was. I could not permit him to enter the house. Lady Gaston would never allow the likes of him in through the front door. He asked for this message to be delivered to you, Lord Muir, and said he would wait outside by the carriages.”
Leo wanted to read the note in private, but Marigold had her snoopy, little nose in a twitch and was eagerly leaning over his arm to read it as he unfurled the vellum. It did not take long for them to read the short message.
Denby is dead. H. Barrow.
“Dear heaven!” Marigold looked up at him in alarm.
He said nothing, merely folded the note and tucked it in the breast pocket of his formal jacket before turning to the footman. “Ask the Duke of Edgeware to meet me by the horse carriages. At once. It is urgent.”
Marigold had a stubborn set to her slender jaw. “I’m coming with you.”
He did not bother to argue, for he would never win. Nor did he mind keeping her close. If this was a trick to draw him away from her side, then she was safest beside him. “All right, but you are to stick to me like a barnacle. This could be a trap. If I push you down, you are to stay down. If I tell you to run, you are to run into the house. If I tell you to get behind me, you are to get behind me.” He raked a hand through his hair. “And most important of all, if this is a trap…you are not to come to my rescue or attempt in any way to save my life.”
“You would never allow me to set foot out of this ballroom if you truly thought it was a trap.”
“Marigold, do not give me a hard time about this. Did you not stand before the altar and promise to honor and obey me? Even Mallow is more obedient than you.”
She placed her arm in his. “I will listen to you, Leo. I promise.”
