The rotund man bobbed his brows at Marigold, then turned his attention to Archie. “Come settle a bet for us. Whose fault was it we lost in the championships last year to Skipton?”
“Is this really so urgent?” His words were nearly a growl.
“I have five pounds on it!”
Archie let his head drop, shook it, then brought his gaze back to Mari. “Will you come with me? They’ll hound me all night if I don’t settle this argument.”
She rolled her lips to avoid grinning like a fool. Her marriage had isolated her so much she never had friends or confidantes beyond her sister, and she envied Archie for his easy connection with others.
But jumping into the middle of a debate between rugby players was too far, even on this magical night where her limits were blurred. “I’m afraid I must d-decline.”
He pouted, but his eyes sparkled. “I envy you.” He nodded his chin towards the buffet. “Take one caramel or stuff your pockets full. But I’ll return before you can eat a second.”
Stepping away from her, he shook out his limbs and stretched like she’d seen the players do on the side of the pitch before the game earlier that day.
“What are you going to d-do?”
“Go settle an argument.” He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead before bounding away, and she wanted to press herself against his chest, tuck her head under his chin and demand more soft affection.
How had she developed such a fondness for a man she barely knew? “Whose fault was the loss?” she called, and he paused, looked over his shoulder with a chagrined smile.
“Mine entirely.”
Archie marched into the card room like he hadn’t a care in the world, and, remembering her mission, Marigold held in her laughter and turned toward the table, nearly colliding with her sister.
Lily’s mischievous grin spread wide. “Why hello, sis,” she drawled. “What are you doing?”
“Exactly what you told me to do.” She picked up the tray of candies with enough force to send a handful flying off the side, where they skittered across the carpet.
“I told you to steal food? I can have the cook make you more.”
“Have fun,” Marigold said in a rush. “You told me to have fun. And I am.”
“With him?”
The sisters looked towards the billiards room, where Archie was surrounded by his teammates and gesticulating wildly. Noticinghe had an audience, he grinned at Marigold, then resumed his debate.
“He’s silly,” she said, her voice wavering with a chuckle, “but sweet. He makes me smile—”
Her words broke off when Lily yanked the tray from her hands, dropped it on the table, and pulled her into a crushing embrace. “Oh, Mari, darling,” she whispered into her ear, “this is exactly what I wanted for you, what youneeded.” Her sister released her enough to hold her at arm’s length. “Someone to make you believe how wonderful you are. You’re not even stuttering!”
Marigold shook her head, old doubts creeping in. “He’s a flirt, nothing more.”
Lily snorted. “Were you not paying attention? He looked ready todevouryou whole against the wall a moment ago.”
A pulse raced down her belly to settle at the apex of her thighs. “You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not. I spend my entire day around men, and I promise all they think about sex and, in my case, horses.”
Is that all she wanted from Archie? Her heart ached for more, more of the comfort and ease he gave her, how he inexplicably made her feel at home in her own skin. But she couldn’t have more than a night, because the truth of her circumstances was too much for anyone to take on.
Lily pointed at the card room, where the argument seemed to have devolved into good-natured jibes. “I wouldn’t question that man’s interest in you.” She lowered her voice. “He’s a perfect candidate for an evening of passion.”
A knot settled in her stomach, sending tendrils of fear and doubt clawing up her ribcage. “It would be adultery,” she whispered.
Lily’s eyes blazed. “That bastard you married has never worried about violating his marriage vows, and for all purposes, you are no longer wed.”
“The law says d-differently.”
