Page 71 of Madcap with a Marquess
She shook her head in wonder and fingered the garland of Verbena encircling her neck—a flower she’d chosen quite purposefully with its ability to enhance romantic relationships. She loved the mystical folklore of the Midsummer Festival. She could only imagine Rupert’s thoughts on it. He would be appalled at such pagan beliefs. She paused. Or perhaps not. Perhaps the true Rupert would find excitement in it. Life could always benefit from a little magic, a little spark. If only she could get her husband to see.
“The fires light the way home for the souls of the livin’, and as I told ya afore, it symbolizes the sun’s power—the larger they burn, the better a sign for the remainder of the growing season,” Billy continued. “Men, women, and couples will jump over the fires, drive their cattle through. It is thought to bestow great luck upon the jumpers.”
Her eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “People jump over the fires? Do they not worry they’ll catch fire?”
He grinned. “‘Tis part of the thrill. They’ll jump closer to the sides, where the flames don’t burn as hot. And some wait for the fires to start to burn down, some until there are only embers left. But it is said the higher one leaps over the flames, the higher his crops will grow.” He bounced his brows. “‘Tis worth the risk, and the river is only a stone’s throw away if things get too heated.”
“What are you two young persons doing standing around and not partaking in the merry-making?” Mr. Doherty said, clapping his son on the shoulder. “Take the lass to dance, Billy. Let’s show our Lady the true, joyful spirit of St. John’s Eve.”
Billy looked away and doffed his hat, rolling it tight in his hands and beating it against his leg. “Father, I’m not sure it’s proper to dance with the Lady of the Manor. That would be His Lordship’s role.”
A bonfire all its own lit inside Franny. “Yes, well, Billy, do you happen to see His Lordship? Because I certainly don’t.” Even if he were here, she doubted he’d dance with her. She reached up and pressed her crown more securely on her head. “And I have the desire to dance.”
She grabbed Billy by the wrist and dragged him toward the bonfires, where a circle of men and woman were linked hand-in-hand, dancing and laughing around one of the fires. Billy hastily shoved his hat back on his head and shot her a smile.
“If you’re sure, Your Ladyship. Do you think ya can keep up with us country folk?”
She arched a brow. “I can catch pigs better than you can, Billy. I’m certain I can keep up just fine.”
Billy grabbed Franny’s right hand tight in his and swiftly inserted them into the ring of dancers, and Franny was delighted to find she ended up with Genny on her left.
“I’m so glad you joined us, my lady,” Genny exclaimed with a joyous huff. “I hope you’ll take a turn jumping over the flames with us later.”
Billy leaned forward and called over to his sister. “‘Fraid not, Gen. Her Ladyship is afraid she’ll light her skirts on fire.”
“I am not!”
Genny’s eyes glittered with mischief, and she lifted her eyebrows in challenge.
“I will assuredly be leaping over the flames.” She caught Genny’s eye. “I was told it brought good luck. And Iamwrapped in Verbena.” She flashed a wink, and they both broke out in a fit of mirth.
Luck and love—perhaps it was just the combination she needed. Either that or she needed to push His Lordship into a fire.
36
Rupert
Rupertstoodstiffly,slightlyset back from the crowd surrounding the roaring bonfires. The revelers had kept a healthy distance from him—those who had noticed him standing on the outskirts. Smiling faces had dimmed and turned wary once recognition hit. One man had come so close as to start talking to him until his gaze caught on the quality of Rupert’s clothes, his eyes promptly widening in horror and, stumbling over his words the entire time, had hastily backed away.
But they didn’t treat Franny that way. They all bestowed tooth-filled grins, bright eyes, and bellows of laughter on his Marchioness. She currently twirled in the arms of a behemoth of a man by the bonfires, joy lighting her face, the two laughing as they spun about. She was tossed to another man, and they circled around each other until she ended up back with the behemoth. He wondered if he was the man she’d ridden double with. It appeared Rupert was destined to watch her from afar, dancing with someone other than himself.
He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to release the tension shooting through his muscles. He wouldn’t be watching her dance with another man if he’d joined her today.
His gut tightened and twisted. Franny had been trying so hard to please him. Keeping him company in his study when he worked, encouraging him to pursue things he had thought weren’t options, yet deep-down, was strongly passionate about. She gave him the strength to challenge ingrained beliefs, shedding light on the notion that his upbringing might not align with what was truly just.
What she didn’t realize was she pleased him too much. The hint of her skin on his, the softest, most innocent press of her lips against his, sent lust spiraling through him, had his inner demons clawing their way to the surface, each time closer to breaking free. Bloody hell. With the amount he’d been frigging himself lately, he was surprised his cock hadn’t fallen off. But his desire for his wife hadn’t abated. Not one bit. So, he had purposely given them some much needed space.
Until dusk had fallen, and he realized he was a complete and utter imbecile. And his wife was down at the festival, most likely arm-and-arm with other men, bestowing her smile on them instead of him.
His demons didn’t like that.
He tracked the large ox-of-a-man dancing with Franny. The man who had just said something to cause Franny to tip her head back and laugh, loud and free.
His demons really didn’t like that.
“That there man you’re growling at is my eldest son, Billy.”
Rupert started and looked at the man who had appeared as if by thin air next to him. A man similarly broad, though not near as tall as ox-man, indicated with a tilt of his head toward the dancers by the bonfire.
