Page 27 of Romancing the Heiress
They continued along for nearly another hour, stopping and talking at each folly they encountered. Leah doubted they’d get to each one but hoped they’d at least see her favorite—the two-story castle. It seemed so, since it was just up ahead.
In addition to being the most complex folly in the gardens with its tower and staircase, the castle was also the closest to Leah’s home. One of the paths led to the edge of the gardens, where it bordered the far end of her family’s farm.
This was the closest she’d been to home in seven years. Her skin pricked, and she rubbed her arms.
“Cold?” Mr. Mercer asked.
“Just a slight chill,” she answered with a faint smile. She looked up at the folly, and her lips curved more as a flood of happy memories washed over her.
“That one is your favorite, I think,” Mr. Mercer observed.
“How can you tell?”
“Your face glowed like a London ballroom.”
“I see.” She kept her attention on the folly instead of looking at him. “Well, yes, it is my favorite. It was most conducive to playing knights and princesses.”
A deep, appreciative laugh leapt from Mr. Mercer. “How I would have liked to see that. Are you a romantic, Miss Webster?”
“Not at all.” Not that she would admit.
“This ismyfavorite folly,” Phin said when everyone had gathered at the front. His gaze met Leah’s and she wondered when—or if—her heart would ever stop swelling when she looked at him. Not today, apparently.
Phin continued with his explanation of the castle, which boasted an outer stone wall that formed a small courtyard within. There was where the tower stood, with a doorway, several openings for windows, and, of course, the staircase to the compact upper floor.
Leah practically itched to go inside, to recall the days she’d spent here with Phin. Closing her eyes briefly, she inhaled the scent of grass and of the rose that climbed along one of the exterior walls.
“Is the upper floor safe?” Mr. Mercer asked.
“Of course,” Leah quickly answered so that Phin wouldn’t have to. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“That other folly in the labyrinth collapsed. I thought it a fair question to ask.”
Leah glanced toward Phin, who looked as if he wanted to murder Mr. Mercer.
“May we go inside?” Genevieve asked.
“Certainly.” Phin stepped to the side and gestured for her to walk through the wide-open doorway where a portcullis might have been. “I always thought this needed a moat,” he said to Genevieve, but casting a glance back toward Leah, who nodded in agreement. They’d discussed that often.
“Your grandfather said it would be too difficult to maintain,” Leah said.
“And it could negatively affect the integrity of the structure. We are very careful with our follies,” Phin added with a pointed look at Mr. Mercer.
Everyone walked into the courtyard and milled about for a few moments before Genevieve asked to go upstairs. Mrs. Selkirk and Mrs. Dunhill opted to remain in the courtyard while the rest of them went up to the top of the miniature tower.
Genevieve, who’d gone first, turned at the top of the stairs. “I feel like a princess climbing up here. Shall I let down my hair like Rapunzel?” She giggled as she made her way toward the window.
Leah had followed right behind her, and as soon as she stepped into the room, an overwhelming sense of loss and regret slammed into her. But it was quickly overtaken by equally strong feelings of joy and contentment. She mourned the happy days of her youth, but treasured them all the more.
Without thought, she walked to the very spot where Phin had kissed her on that long-ago day. She smiled to herself and turned from the wall toward the center of the room. Phin was there watching her, his gaze slightly hooded. Was he remembering that day too?
Genevieve stood at the window and waved down at her mother and Mrs. Dunhill. Then she yawned, lifting her hand to cover her mouth. “Goodness, pardon me,” she murmured.
“Come down, Genevieve,” Mrs. Selkirk called. “It’s time for us to return to the inn.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.” Genevieve retreated from the window and smiled at Phin. “Thank you for the tour today.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to see all the follies,” Mr. Mercer said, moving to where Genevieve had been standing. He stuck his head out the opening and looked about. When he pulled back in and turned around, he commented on the surprising view. “I can see why this is your favorite, Radford. And you, Miss Webster.”
