Chapter 13
“Because you are sweet and funny and kind,” Theo said, rushing toward his little bride.
Mari gasped and her eyes went wide when she saw him stride into Miss Wickersham’s office. “Papa! I asked you not to follow me.”
He knelt before her and took both her hands in his. “And since when have you been the one making the rules, little girl?”
Her hands were cold and trembling and felt especially small and delicate against his palms.
“You can’t want me for your Little girl. Not forever. You’ll see. I’ll embarrass you and bring shame to your name.”
“Where would you ever get that idea? I adore you. Anyone who meets you can see that you are regal and gracious and everything a duchess should be.”
“Your aunt and cousin do not th-think so. They said I was a pet pr-project. And the way your cousin mentioned Lady Patricia. I am sure they believe she would be a much better wife for you.”
Theo swore under his breath. “This is all because of those spiteful relatives of mine,” he said.
He cupped her face between his hands. “I had no idea they could or would be so malicious. I am sorry that happened and I am sorry I did not protect you from them. It will never happen again, I assure you.”
“But,” she whispered, “what if it is true? What if they are correct?”
“Marigold,” he said, his voice deadly serious, “they are not correct. They are mean and jealous. I never cared for Charlene’s friend Lady Patricia.
It is all a fantasy in Charlene’s mind and probably Lady Patricia’s as well, for me to fall in love with her.
But she was not the one for me. You are the one for me. The only one. Ever.”
Mari gaped at him. “But—”
“No more buts,” he said. “Do you not believe me when I say that I love you with my entire heart and soul?”
“I believe there are some matters which the two of you need to discuss,” Miss Wickersham interjected.
Theo stood and nodded toward her. “My apologies for barging into your office, Miss Wickersham. However, I would like to speak privately to my wife.”
Miss Wickersham pushed back her chair and stood behind her desk. Though she was not as tall as Theo, she certainly carried an air which brooked no opposition.
“With all due respect, Your Grace,” she said in a tone that might have cowed a lesser man, “this is my property and you are here without an invitation. I will not allow you or anyone to mistreat or malign my charges.”
“I believe we have had this discussion before, Miss Wickersham. Additionally,” Theo was growing irritated, “you heard Mari say herself that I had done nothing wrong. My relatives are the ones who have given her the notion that I will grow tired of her and I can assure you there is nothing further from the truth.”
One corner of Miss Wickerham's mouth quirked upward. “I suggest you explain that to your wife and not me,” she said. “I shall leave you two alone to sort out your problems. Mari,” she said looking directly at Theo’s wife, “if you require assistance, simply call out. I am sure someone around here will be listening in.”
She swept from the room with a final glance at the two of them over her shoulder.
“She is rather fierce,” Theo said.
Mari giggled and it broke some of the tension which laced the air. “Yes, she is. But she is also loyal.”
“Yes, she is. A fine quality.”
“She is the closest thing I have to an older sister or a mother. Or maybe an aunt.”
Not like your aunt, he was sure she was thinking.
“My family is here at Talcott House.”
Theo paused and measured his words carefully. “It is possible, my sweet Mari, that you can have a family here at Talcott House and also at Willowmere Estate. I know your heart and you have enough love for a dozen families.”
Tears welled in Mari’s eyes and she stared at the floor. “I must tell you about my life,” she said. “My life before I came to Talcott House. Perhaps that will help you to understand.”
“First things first,” Theo said, drawing Mari up to stand and then taking her place in the chair before drawing her down onto his lap. “Now, please tell me everything.”
Mari drew in a shuddering breath and rested her hands on his which were around her waist. “I was born Lady Elizabeth Stickleton. I have an older brother named Johnny. Our parents died when I was just a girl and Johnny contacted my father’s uncle, Lord Bexley.
He offered to take us both in, but Johnny was determined to go to sea.
He left me in the care of my uncle with the promise he’d be back for me.
” The unshed tears which had formed in Mari’s eyes came forward and fell down her cheeks.
Theo’s heart ached for his sweet wife. Reaching for his handkerchief, he dabbed at her tears. “If this is too painful, sweet girl, you do not need to tell me.”
Mari sniffled back her tears and looked him in the eye. “No, it is well past time for you to know. Know who you have married.”
He wanted to stop her and tell her that he had married the most wonderful girl in the entire world, but he knew she needed for him to hear her story and so he nodded. “Go ahead.”
“At first, everything was fine with my uncle. He was kind and treated me well. But then he took ill and… well, after he was gone his son’s widow and her daughters came to live at the townhouse I had come to think of as my home.
I thought we would be a happy family. They did not agree.
Soon, I was relegated to being a servant. ”
“In your own home?” Theo’s blood began to boil.
Mari nodded. “I had to wait upon my cousins. That is how I became adept at styling hair.”
Theo caressed the side of her face. “They said I was useless and stupid and could never be part of their family. But, the other servants became like a family to me. And when…” Mari’s voice broke and she took a minute to compose herself.
“When one of my cousins became betrothed to Lord Eppley, I thought things would improve, but he was…”
“Did he frighten you, Mari?” Theo strove to keep his voice soft and calm, though he wanted to find the man and twist his head off his shoulders.
She nodded. “I managed to keep my distance with the help of the other servants. But when Lord Eppley announced that I would be moving to his home once he married my cousin...”
Cold fury ran through Theo’s veins.
“The housekeeper and butler snuck me out of the house late one night, they didn’t even tell me where I was going and they brought me here, to Talcott House. I stopped being Beth and became Marigold. And then I met you.”
She glanced up at him. “So, you see. My own flesh and blood thought so little of me that they made me mend their clothes and style their hair. How can I be part of your family and not be an embarrassment? I love you too much to damage your reputation.”
Theo hugged her tight for a long moment. “Oh, my sweet Mari. I could not be prouder of you. You are brave and tenacious.” He shifted her so she could see his face clearly. “I am the one who is not worthy of you. But, I intend to spend the rest of my life trying to be.”
THE END