Page 16 of Romancing the Heiress
Genevieve blinked at Leah but spoke to her mother. “Why would she do that?”
“I can’t think of a reason, which is why the omission is both baffling and troubling. I would expect your paid companion to do whatever possible to improve your standing and expand your social connections. Your acquaintance with the Duke and Duchess of Lawford would have helped you this Season.”
“Forgive me,” Leah said. “Sadie—Her Grace—was in a delicate condition and is a new mother. She has not been very involved in the Season.”
“That may be, but the duchess is the May Queen,” Mrs. Selkirk said with considerable heat. “That would have been good for us to know. You could have introduced Genevieve to Her Grace before this reception, which would have given her an advantage.”
“That wouldn’t have been fair,” Leah murmured. But that wasn’t the issue at all. Mrs. Selkirk’s abrasive demeanor and entitlement were the reasons Leah hadn’t wanted to introduce her to Sadie.
Mrs. Selkirk sniffed. “Bah, fair will get you nowhere, but then that is why you’re merely a companion.” She turned to Genevieve and Mrs. Dunhill. “Come, let us mingle. Perhaps we should start with the cakes since the duke and duchess went there. Genevieve, dear, you must do your best to make a favorable impression on Her Grace.” Shooting Leah a heavy-lidded stare, she added, “I dare hope Miss Webster has seen fit to put in a word for you.”
As a matter of fact, I have,Leah thought. Except, she was looking for an opportunity to put in another word—to keep Genevieve from becoming a maiden fair.
As they made their way to the room with the refreshments, Genevieve fell into step beside Leah walking behind her mother and Mrs. Dunhill. “I don’t think I want to be a maiden fair,” she whispered, confirming Leah’s supposition.
Leah spoke softly as she sent a sidelong look toward Genevieve, noting the young woman’s paler-than-normal features. “You mentioned that earlier. Why not? I thought you wanted to become betrothed. That is the best way to do so. It’s highly unusual when a maiden fair doesn’t make a match.”
“I’m not sure I need that exposure after meeting Mr. Radford,” Genevieve said. The hint of a smile teased her small, perfectly feminine mouth.
Leah clenched one hand into a fist, then flexed it as a wave of unease swept over her. “You think he’s your match?”
“He could be, yes.” Genevieve’s eyes glowed with anticipation. “I do hope he comes soon.”
“Don’t take it personally if he doesn’t,” Leah said, torn between not wanting to encourage a match between her charge and her dearest friend and wanting to help them both be happy. She was also jealous, but she was going to have to get over that. From the moment she’d left Marrywell, she’d never expected to marry anyone, let alone Phin, so her jealousy was wholly ridiculous. “He is terribly busy. I’m sure he’ll see you tonight.”
They entered the room with the cakes just as Sadie and Law departed through another doorway. And so it went for the next hour. Mrs. Selkirk kept angling for a chance to speak with them again, only for the opportunity to slip away. At one point, she accused Leah of somehow ensuring they weren’t able to converse. Leah had nearly laughed.
Finally, Mrs. Selkirk abandoned her prey and they simply walked amongst the other attendees, exchanging pleasantries and meeting a variety of gentlemen who were scouting their marital options. Leah came to the conclusion that the festival was basically the entire London Season compressed into one week. Thinking of it in those terms made it seem even more absurd than the Marriage Mart. The festival was its own marketplace, with high-stakes decisions happening at a rapid pace.
After another hour or more, Leah excused herself to visit the retiring room but actually stole outside to take a restorative walk through the sculpture garden behind the assembly rooms. The afternoon was cool with a breeze, but she welcomed the fresh, brisk air.
As she passed a large tree, she stumbled upon Sadie perched on a stone bench. She looked up, her gaze connecting with Leah’s. “Yes, I’m hiding.”
Leah laughed, then sat down beside her. “I’ll hide with you. I’m supposed to be in the retiring room.”
“I can see why you’d want a respite from Mrs. Selkirk. She is…something.”
“Yes, but I can manage her.” Leah didn’t want Sadie’s concern or, worse, her pity. “Why are you hiding?”
“I just needed to rest. Being the May Queen is exhausting.”
“Yes, about that. If it’s not too late, I’d like to ask that you not submit Genevieve’s name for maiden fair. She’s nervous about the attention it will bring.” Leah couldn’t quite bring herself to state the other reason—that Genevieve being a maiden fair might intrude on her burgeoning courtship with Phin.
Sadie grimaced. “I’m so sorry. It’s too late. I came out here after giving Mr. Armstrong the list, and she was on it.”
Blast.It wasn’t too many years ago that there wouldn’t have been a list. Until perhaps ten years ago, the May Queen didn’t share her choices until she announced them on the dais.
Leah blew out a breath. “Well, at least Mrs. Selkirk will be pleased. Though, I doubt she’ll give me any credit.”
“You deserve all of it,” Sadie said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t have chosen her otherwise. I picked ladies who might have been overlooked.” She leaned toward Leah and whispered, “Three of them are over the age of twenty-five.”
Gasping in mock outrage, Leah brought her hand to her mouth. They both giggled.
“Well done, Sadie,” Leah said softly. “You remain one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
“Does that include Lady Norcott? I know how close you were.”
“It does.” Leah missed her. She’d come to know Leah better than probably anyone. Which was why her insistence that Leah become Genevieve’s companion was so puzzling. Surely Lady Norcott knew how difficult her niece, Mrs. Selkirk, would be. Wouldn’t she have wanted a better situation for Leah?
