Page 12 of Romancing the Heiress
Chapter5
Leah clasped her hands in her lap, squeezing them together so no one could see she was shaking. What were the Selkirks doing there? When Leah had asked permission to call at Radford Grange, she’d explained that she would talk to Phin about Genevieve. Mrs. Selkirk had asked if they could accompany her, but Leah had cautioned that it might be seen as too presumptuous.
Clearly, Mrs. Selkirk didn’t give a fig what Leah thought. It seemed that after agreeing to allow Leah to call on Phin by herself, Mrs. Selkirk had made her own plan.
Phin moved toward the new arrivals, offering them his charming, roguish smile that always provoked Leah’s pulse to gallop. “Welcome, Mrs. Selkirk, Miss Selkirk.” He took Genevieve’s hand and bowed. Had he ever greeted Leah that way?
No.
Leah wished there were something stronger in her tea. Lady Norcott had liked to add a dash of whisky now and then.
“We’re so pleased to see you again,” Mrs. Selkirk said. “I hope you don’t find our arrival presumptuous.” She tossed Leah a somewhat taunting look. Or at least, that was how Leah interpreted it.
“Not at all,” Phin said blithely, completely robbing Leah of any credibility. “We don’t get too caught up in stringent rules here in Marrywell. Please allow me to present my grandmother, Mrs. Everden.”
Genevieve presented a charming curtsey. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”
“Shall we sit?” Phin offered, gesturing to the seating area in the center of the room, where two settees and two chairs were arranged.
“Yes, thank you.” Mrs. Selkirk guided her daughter toward one of the settees. Once Genevieve was seated, she turned to Phin. “Why don’t you sit next to Genevieve?”
Yes, why don’t you?
Leah gritted her teeth as jealousy cut through her. She stood abruptly and put her hand on Phin’s grandmother’s chair. “Shall we adjourn to the other area, Lady Gran?” Using the name might have been a futile attempt for Leah to claim…something with regard to Phin.
“I think we must,” Lady Gran said, rising.
Lady Gran was spry, but Leah offered her arm anyway. Probably another potential way to provoke Mrs. Selkirk. Was that what Leah was doing?
No, she was permitting herself to be jealous, which was juvenile and beneath her. Lady Norcott would tell her to gather her pride and not let such petty emotions drive her.
“Why, thank you, Leah. I’m so very pleased to see you after so long.” Lady Gran’s chestnut-colored eyes gleamed with a warmth that made Leah feel better. “How wonderful that your position has brought you back to Marrywell.”
“Indeed,” Leah said, wondering if she would have done things differently had she known that Genevieve would attract Phin’s interest. Perhaps she might not have suggested they come.
But then she wouldn’t have been able to see Phin or Sadie or Lady Gran.
Leah and Lady Gran sat on the settee opposite Phin and Genevieve, while Mrs. Selkirk took the chair set between the ends where Leah and Genevieve were perched. Phin smiled at Genevieve, and she smiled back, and Leah’s entire body felt as if she’d just flipped over in a runaway coach.
Had Phin really discussed marriage to Genevieve to Lady Gran? That awful moment when Leah had stood in the doorway when she’d overheard what he’d said repeated in her mind:
“Gran, did I tell you that I met a pleasing young lady the other day?”
And then:
“I do wonder if this might be the year for me to wed.”
The room had tilted sideways. Leah had feared he would wed in the years that she was gone, but it was easier to consider the notion when he wasn’t standing right in front of her. When she couldn’t see his familiar smile and hear his beloved voice.
There was her answer: she would have been better off not returning to Marrywell, no matter how badly she wanted to see her dearest friends.Friends.That’s what Phin was—her friend. She couldn’t worry about whether he’d already developed a tendre for Genevieve. Though, how could he when they’d barely promenaded for half an hour?
Lady Gran looked to Mrs. Selkirk and Genevieve, “Is this your first time attending the matchmaking festival?”
“I should say so,” Mrs. Selkirk said, adding a light laugh. “Else I believe my dear Genevieve would already be wed!” She laughed again, and the sound grated on Leah’s nerves.
“Perhaps,” Genevieve said demurely. “Or perhaps not. I can’t imagineeveryonefinds a match at the festival.”
“Not everyone, but the chances are high,” Lady Gran said. “More importantly, it’s more than likely the match will be for love.” Her eyes twinkled with a romantic sparkle. “I met my beloved husband here forty-eight years ago. And then our daughter met her husband—Phin’s father.” Her enthusiasm seemed to dwindle slightly as she mentioned Mr. Radford. Leah couldn’t recall if Lady Gran hadn’t cared for him.
