A Marquess for Miss Marigold (A Wallflower's Wish #3) - Maggie Dallen

Chapter One

To think, Lord Maximus Langston, the new Marquess of Arundel, had actually been looking forward to this homecoming. Seeing his mother and sister again, reveling in the comforts of home, resting his wounded leg with some much needed peace and quiet...

Or not. Laughter from the hallway made him cringe.

Instead of the quiet homecoming of his dreams, he’d come home to find himself in the midst of his worst nightmare.

A house party.

At his house.

“A second engagement, can you imagine?” His mother flitted about the room, talking so quickly it was impossible to keep pace.

Or perhaps that was just exhaustion at work. It had been a long, grueling journey back from the military base he’d called home these last few years.

Max shot his younger sister a questioning look, but Sarah just smirked and raised her teacup in a signal that seemed to say ‘let her say her piece. It will end soon enough.’

He sank back into his seat with a sigh.

“One engagement was enough to make this party the talk of the season.” She whirled around to face him, her eyes wide. “It was the Duke of Dolan, did I tell you that?”

Max’s response was a grunting sound. It was the most he could offer. Had she mentioned that the Duke of Dolan had found his bride at this wretched party?

Yes. At least six times.

“And with Miss Merriweather of all people,” she continued, shaking her head. “I must admit, I did not see that match coming. But Lord Merrick...” She clapped her hands together and Max reached for a teacup of his own. It seemed they had a long way to go before his mother tired of this particular topic. Strong tea was the only antidote within reach. “No one could have anticipated that scene he caused last night over Miss Upton. It’s all anyone could talk about.”

“Mmm.” He presumed a murmur of acknowledgement would suffice. All morning it had been like this. He’d arrived just after dawn to find a house filled with people who were blessedly asleep.

One of the servants had woken his mother, then his sister, and after a tear-filled reunion and far more questions than he ever wished to answer...this had begun.

A recounting of the last few days in exquisite detail.

Trivial nonsense that his life had been blessedly devoid of these past several years. One might think, with such a long break, he’d have more patience for such discussions, but he’d lost all tolerance.

His mother turned to face him once more and this time she seemed to see him.

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed together. When she cocked her head to the side the oddest hmmm buzzed from her lips.

He stiffened with alarm as she moved toward him. She did not merely see him, she was focused on him in a way that was alarming considering her current topic of conversation.

Marriage.

Sure enough, her smile widened to something far too hopeful for his liking. “Perhaps your timing is perfect, after all.” She clasped her hands together and arched her brows. “Maybe you too will find a bride amongst this crowd.”

He leapt on that last word as he came to stand. “Aha! So you admit it then. This is a crowd.”

His mother rolled her eyes as Sarah hid a snicker in her teacup.

This had been a point of contention from the moment he’d first arrived and had asked why on earth she’d thrown a party at the very time he was set to arrive home after years of being away.

“I told you, I did not expect you until next week,” his mother said now.

He narrowed his eyes. Was that guilt he saw there?

His mother patted her silver-haired coif as she sank gracefully onto the settee. She seemed to pointedly ignore the sound of loud voices passing the sitting room as more guests came down for breakfast.

“I merely invited some close friends and family,” his mother continued.

“Close friends, hmm? There are dozens of people staying here, Mother. Dozens.” He’d wager a hundred at least.

His mother sniffed, avoiding his gaze. “I have many friends.”

Sarah was outright laughing now as Max groaned and fell back into his seat. His leg was aching again. The long journey had done nothing to help the now familiar pain. But at least he’d returned from war with his leg, which was more than many could say.

“Think about it, Max,” his mother was saying. “This is the perfect opportunity for you to reacquaint yourself with the eligible ladies of the ton.”

He closed his eyes with a groan.