Page 13 of Romancing the Heiress
“That’s certainly encouraging,” Mrs. Selkirk said, casting a smile toward Genevieve, as if finding a love match for her daughter was the most important thing.
Was it? Just because Leah found Mrs. Selkirk to be prickly didn’t mean she wasn’t a good mother with her daughter’s best interests at heart. Indeed, she was very focused on Genevieve and her overall social success, something Leah’s own mother had never done. Just the thought of it nearly made Leah laugh at the absurdity.
Genevieve pivoted on the settee toward Phin, her hands folded in her lap. “Tell me more about the festival. Leah says there are a variety of entertainments and activities. I confess I’m most interested in those of a musical nature.”
Phin seemed to lean toward her slightly. “Are you? I find myself most interested in those too. I began playing guitar a few years ago and have developed a passion for music.”
Genevieve sucked in a breath as she lifted her hand and put her fingertips to her chest. “Have you? I play the pianoforte.”
“She’s exemplary,” Mrs. Selkirk said with genuine pride. And she wasn’t wrong. Though Leah couldn’t claim to know anything about music, she appreciated Genevieve’s remarkable talent.
“I didn’t know you played the guitar,” Leah said to Phin, feeling unaccountably disappointed that there were things about him of which she was unaware. Before she’d left Marrywell, she would have said they knew nearly everything about one another. Only nearly, because Leah had never revealed to him how she truly felt.
“I gave him one as a gift,” Lady Gran said proudly. “He’s become quite accomplished. Perhaps you should play for us, Phineas?”
Mrs. Selkirk clapped her hands together as she looked at Phin and Genevieve. “They could play a duet!”
“I think they must,” Lady Gran agreed, already rising from the settee. “Come, the music room is just through there.” She gestured to a closed door.
“We shouldn’t force them,” Leah said quietly, feeling as though the battle was already lost.
What battle? For Phin? How could she fight for him without declaring her intent? Did she even have intent? She’d come to Marrywell hoping to become reacquainted with him. And then what? He was going to magically fall into her arms, declare his undying love, and beg her to wed him?
You don’t even want to stay in Marrywell for fear of seeingher.
That was very true. And only emphasized Leah’s madness in coming here.
Phin looked to Leah. “It’s quite all right. I’m glad you’ll get to hear me play.”
“I am too.” Leah summoned a smile, though her chest felt as if horses were galloping across it.
He and Genevieve stood, and he offered her his arm. “Allow me to escort you to our humble music room.”
Leah waited for Lady Gran and Mrs. Selkirk to follow Phin and Genevieve into the next room. She briefly considered staying in the sitting room, but Phin seemed to want her to hear him play. And she, of course, was most eager to do so.
“What a beautiful pianoforte!” Genevieve exclaimed. She took her hand from Phin’s sleeve and hurried to the instrument. Removing her gloves, she set them on the end of the bench. After sitting, she plucked a few notes. “It has a gorgeous tone. Do you play this?” she asked Phin.
“I’ve tried, but I’m better at the guitar. The pianoforte was my mother’s.” He glanced toward Lady Gran with a faint smile.
Lady Gran’s expression melted with nostalgia. “She was wonderfully skilled. She’d be so delighted to know that Phin has taken up an instrument. And she’d certainly approve of him courting a music-loving young lady.” Lady Gran gave Genevieve an approving look.
Leah’s stomach clenched. She’d been so convinced that Phin and Genevieve would be a terrible match, that they’d have nothing in common. But to look at them now…
Phin had picked up his guitar and moved to stand near the pianoforte. “What shall we play?”
“I suppose that depends on what you know,” Genevieve said.
“I suspect your knowledge of music is much greater than mine.” Phin strummed the guitar once, twice. “How long have you been playing?”
“Since she was five,” Mrs. Selkirk answered. She and Lady Gran had sat together on a settee while Leah remained the door. Did she plan to flee? It was an option she preferred to have.
“Mother, they’ll be disappointed when I’m not as skilled as I ought to be,” Genevieve said with a light laugh.
“Do you knowRobin Adair?” Phin asked.
“Certainly.” Genevieve played several notes.
Phin grinned. “Brilliant.”
