Page 36 of Romancing the Heiress
“Nearly forever,” he murmured. “I appreciate your honesty.” And it somewhat echoed what Tom had told him. By marrying Genevieve, he could very well be consigning himself to a lifetime of disappointment.
“I need to get back to Genevieve. Goodbye, Phin.” She returned to the path and walked quickly away.
Phin watched her go and hated this situation he found himself in. More importantly, he rather hated himself.
He was nearly home before he realized what she’d said: goodbye. Not good night. And what did that mean?
Leah had barely slept. After walking away from Phin the night before, she’d wallowed in self-pity. Upon leaving her narrow cot that morning, she’d decided not to do that any longer. There was no point in it. Better to look ahead and hope for a positive and consequential meeting with Lord Murdock in a few days.
Besides, today was the Grand Picnic, arguably the best day of the festival. She hoped to row on the lake, but doubted she’d be allowed. Surely one or more of Genevieve’s suitors would take her onto the water, and Leah would just have to watch in envy. Ah well, she was growing used to that.
What a stupid idea it had been to return to Marrywell.
Genevieve glanced up from the newspaper she was perusing and fixed her gaze on the window of the sitting room in their suite. Her mouth dipped into a deep frown while her brow formed deep furrows. “Are we really to spendallday outside?” This was the third time she’d posed this question—or a similar one—since they’d risen that morning.
“Yes, it’s a picnic.”
“Botheration. Mayhap it will rain,” Genevieve said with a hopeful nod.
If Mrs. Selkirk had been present, she would have put a swift end to Genevieve’s complaints, but she and Mrs. Dunhill had gone to visit the milliner. Mrs. Dunhill insisted she needed a new hat for the picnic, something that would please Mr. Bilson no doubt.
As Genevieve’s gaze went back to her paper, Leah returned to rereading one of the books Lady Norcott had given her. It was a comfort and helped her keep a certain gentleman from her mind.
“Did my great-aunt give you that book?” Genevieve asked from the settee where she was situated.
“Yes.” Seated in one of the chairs near the settee, Leah peered at Genevieve over the top of the book.
Genevieve was looking at her with an odd expression. “She didn’t give me anything. It seemed she loved you more than her own family.”
“She left you nothing upon her death?”
“She left her belongings to my mother since she didn’t have children of her own.”
“Then I don’t think you can say that she loved me more,” Leah said, wondering what had prompted that observation. Perhaps Genevieve was irritated that her mother hadn’t given any of Lady Norcott’s things to her? “Is there something of Lady Norcott’s you want?”
Surprise flickered in Genevieve’s blue gaze. “Nothing in particular. My mother found it odd that she left specific things to you at all.”
Leah didn’t find it odd at all. In fact, she couldn’t quite reconcile what she’d received from Lady Norcott compared to what the woman had said prior to her death. She’d almost made it sound as though Leah would be able to even live independently if she wished. Two months’ wages and five books did not allow for that.
But perhaps Leah had read more into Lady Norcott’s comments than she should have. It had just been the one relationship in Leah’s life in which she’d felt truly loved and cared for. In some ways, shehadfelt like part of Lady Norcott’s family. Even so, she couldn’t expect that Lady Norcott would have provided more for her than she had. She’d already given Leah so much, starting with rescuing her from Marrywell.
Leah’s efforts to lose herself in the novel were now failing. She found herself thinking of what would come next. She was eager to secure a new position, and she realized she wanted to do that whether Genevieve wed or not.
Leah set the book in her lap. “Has there been any progress with your suitors?”
Genevieve lowered the newspaper, her eyes lighting with enthusiasm. “I’m to make a choice tonight. Someone asked if they could call tomorrow morning. Mother says a proposal is in the offing.”
“Do you know who?” Leah held her breath, fearing it was Phin. How could he marry Genevieve after kissing Leah?
Because, as he’d said, he’d been lost in memories and hadn’t meant to do it.
“I don’t, but I hope it’s Phin.”
“And if it’s not?” Leah shouldn’t hope for that. It wasn’t as if that meant he’d transferred his affections to Leah. No, he’d been quite clear aboutthat.
Genevieve made a face. “I don’t know. I suppose I’ll have to make do with whoever it was. But perhaps there will be multiple offers. That would be exciting.” She glowed with anticipation.
Leah didn’t think that sounded exciting at all. But then there was only man with whom she would consider marriage. And that dream was officially dead.
