Marigold stifled a giggle. “It’s a good thing you were a soldier and not a spy. You’d be awful at the job.”
That made him relax. Did Marigold have a plan? He hoped so because his thoughts were too full of his feelings to think logically. “Fair point.”
“I do believe that you should take a walk in the garden at half past ten. I hear the stars are lovely at that time.” Marigold gave her hand an airy wave. “There’s a bench just by the rose garden that is perfect for viewing them.”
“Marigold,” he said, hope filling his chest. “What are you…”
“Shhh,” she answered. “Just think about what you’re going to say. This is your chance to win over the woman you love.”
Alex shook his head. She was a dear friend for doing this. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You already did,” she said with a grin. “I believe it’s my turn to help you. Now, if I might give you some advice, be absolutely clear that Charlotte was never a good option. No woman wants to feel as though she is the second choice.”
“Sound advice,” he grinned.
“And I’d use the word ‘love’ specifically,” she added.
He gave a quick jerk of his chin in military fashion as he clicked his heels. “I shall do as you’ve commanded.”
Then he drew in a deep breath. He’d tell her that and more. He’d tell her about the person he saw inside her hard shell and the way she made him feel hope again.
He’d not hold a thing back.
This was his battle to win.
* * *
Abigail paced the length of the nearly empty salon for the fifth time. “Are you certain about this plan?”
Max eyed her with open amusement from where he leaned against the doorframe. “I promise you,” he said for the third time. “Marigold has this well in hand.”
“Yes, but—”
“Honestly, Abbie…” Lily rolled her eyes from where she was cuddled up against Merrick’s side. “At what point did you become such a coward?”
Merrick gave a huff of laughter as he kissed the top of his wife’s head. “I seem to recall you having a moment of panic or two before we both came to our senses and admitted that we loved each other.”
“Panic? Me?” Lily shook her head as she gave Abigail a laughing look. “I remember no such thing.”
Despite her own panic—and yes, Abigail could admit that this roiling wave of anxiety was indeed panic—she found herself returning Lily’s grin.
The one bright spot in this otherwise terrifying evening was this newfound truce she’d found with Lily. She wasn’t certain either of them were about to call one another “friend” any time soon—they still had a ways to go to repair the damage to their friendship—but tonight was a start.
Much to her mortification, Lily had insisted on telling Merrick the truth about her rejection and he’d surprised her by pulling her into a tight embrace to thank her for tossing him over.
But now they were all waiting on Marigold, who was apparently the mastermind behind tonight’s encounter.
On cue, the door opened, and Marigold slipped in with a triumphant smile. “Your mother is well occupied by Sir Geoffrey, and Alex is waiting for you. I can slip you out undetected through a side entrance to avoid scandal.” She fixed her wide smile on Abigail. “Are you ready?”
No. Definitely not! Her heart pounded in her chest.
“He’s waiting, Abbie,” Lily said with surprising gentleness.
Alex was waiting. She drew in a deep breath. She could do this. With a nod, she headed toward the door to join Marigold. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
A chorus of “good lucks” followed her out the door and Marigold sweetly tucked her hand in Abigail’s as she led her down a darkened hall toward this back entrance.
Abigail slowed to a stop and Marigold turned to look at her with brows arched in question.
“Marigold, I...” Abigail cleared her throat. “I just wanted to say thank you for doing this.”
Marigold grinned. “As I told Alex, I owed him one.”
“Yes, but you owe me nothing,” she said. “I’ve never been particularly kind to you. In fact, some might say I’ve been nothing but a frightful cow.”
Marigold made a choking sound as she tried not to laugh. “I wouldn’t say cow...”
Abigail laughed outright. “That’s only because you’re too kind to speak so bluntly. But I’m saying it for you. When you confronted me earlier today—”
“I shouldn’t have done that.” Marigold winced. “It wasn’t my place. I see that now.”
“Nonsense. You are Alex’s friend and you were only looking out for him.” She drew in a deep breath. “I need you to know that no matter what happens out there, I’m glad that Alex has a friend like you.” She looked back toward the others. “All of you. He’s a good man and he deserves good friends.”
Marigold looked like she might interrupt, but Abigail didn’t give her the chance. “I always looked down on you, you know.”
Marigold’s eyes widened in surprise but Abigail squeezed her hand, willing her to stay silent so she could get this over with.
“I thought…” Abigail cleared her throat. “I thought kindness was a weakness.”
Marigold’s expression shifted to one so sweet and sympathetic, it made Abigail’s chest ache.
“I see now that I was wrong, of course,” she continued. “I’m starting to realize that being kind in the face of cruelty takes more strength and bravery than I’d ever imagined. The ability to forgive is a true act of valor.” She sighed, her gaze meeting Marigold’s once more. “All this is to say, I’m sorry for underestimating you and I’m sorry for all of the harsh words I’ve ever said about you—to your face and behind your back.”
Marigold’s lips curved up. “I forgive you. And for what it’s worth, I’m glad that Alex has you, too.”
“You are?” Her brows shot up and hope began to flicker in her belly. If Alex’s friend thought there was a possibility she could make him happy, then maybe there was
