Page 37 of Romancing the Heiress
Somehow, Genevieve managed to improve her mood regarding the picnic. She had help from the half dozen gentlemen who had paid court to her at the picnic so far, including two separate circuits of the small lake in a rowboat with two different suitors.
There was no sign of Phin, however.
Leah was grateful for that. Mr. Mercer had also been suspiciously absent. Perhaps he’d realized that his company was becoming bothersome since he didn’t actually intend to offer for Genevieve.
She was currently promenading with another gentleman while Leah sat on their picnic blanket with Mrs. Selkirk. Mrs. Dunhill, sporting a cunning new bonnet, was off with Mr. Bilson.
Mrs. Selkirk’s gaze was fixed somewhere behind Leah. “Finally, here comes Mr. Mercer.”
Turning her head, Leah saw the gentleman bearing down on their blanket. Dressed in blue superfine with a dark yellow brocade waistcoat, he sported yet another jeweled pin in his cravat. This one was sapphire as compared to the ruby, pearl, and emerald he’d worn already this week. The man had more jewels than many women, including Leah.
Mr. Mercer bowed as he reached their blanket. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Selkirk, Miss Webster. Such a fine day for a picnic.”
“I’m afraid you’ve missed Genevieve,” Mrs. Selkirk said. “If you’d care to wait, I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”
“Actually, I came to ask Miss Webster for a promenade.” He looked toward Leah, giving her a thorough perusal that made her feel as though she were on display at a shop or a stall and he was determining her worth. “I find I am most intrigued by Marrywell and would love to hear more about her experience living here.”
Leah noted the faint curl of Mrs. Selkirk’s lip and hoped Mr. Mercer didn’t catch it. Or, perhaps she didn’t actually care what he thought of her employer.
“I can take a short walk,” Leah said, starting to rise.
Mr. Mercer quickly offered her his hand and helped her up. She chanced a look toward Mrs. Selkirk, who didn’t look pleased. But neither did she try to stop them.
Mrs. Selkirk reached for her glass of ratafia. “Don’t be gone long, as Genevieve will likely be back soon.”
Mr. Mercer settled Leah’s hand on his arm and guided her toward the path that would take them up to the top of the hill that swept up from the lake. “Mrs. Selkirk is often concerned with the amount of time you take away from her daughter. Do you have a habit of running off?”
“I do not. However, since I have friends in Marrywell, I have been absent more than normal. I believe Mrs. Selkirk does not approve.”
“How did you find yourself in this position?” he asked bemusedly. “You are far too intelligent and…confident to hold such a role.”
She couldn’t help but be flattered. “I was eager to leave Marrywell and was offered a position as companion by Lady Norcott when she visited the town. Any intelligence or confidence I possess is because of her.”
Mr. Mercer sent her a skeptical glance. “I doubt that. You possess the capability for intelligence and confidence, or you wouldn’t have them.”
Leah wished to move the conversation elsewhere. “Did you really want to speak with me about Marrywell?”
“More specifically, about the gardens.” He must have felt her stiffen, for he added, “Please don’t go on the defensive. You seem very protective of Radford’s endeavor.”
“It isn’t an ‘endeavor,’ it’s his family’s legacy.”
“I see. That makes sense given his dedication to the gardens. I was wondering what they used to be like when you lived here before. Were they different?”
What was he poking at? “They look much the same.”
“Have you noticed a decrease in maintenance or a lack of…care in certain areas? It seems several hedgerows could use trimming, and there are lawn areas that appear overgrown.”
Leah couldn’t help but defend the gardens, which was the same as defending Phin. “It’s a huge parcel of land.” Still, she knew what Mr. Mercer was speaking of, and while she hadn’t consciously noticed, now that she thought of these things, she couldn’t dispute them.
A strong wave of concern washed over her. It wasn’t like Phin to ignore things, especially with the festival happening. There was nothing more important to him than tending these gardens. As much as she wanted to keep her distance, she had to speak with him.
“A very large holding,” Mr. Mercer agreed. “And one I’m prepared to buy for an attractive sum.”
Leah stopped as they neared the top of the hill. “You can’t. Phin would never sell it to you.”
“He did refuse me,” Mr. Mercer said wryly. “This is why I wished to speak with you. I was hoping you could talk to Radford, explain why this would be good for the gardens—and for him. Perhaps it’s just too much to keep up with. I would have expected to see an army of workers, and there doesn’t appear to be more than a handful of gardeners. I know because I’ve walked the paths early every morning since I arrived. That would be the time for work to be completed, and it is being done, but by an insufficient number of gardeners.”
“Is this why you’ve been spending time with Miss Selkirk and me this week? So you could determine a way to insinuate yourself into Mr. Radford’s good graces in order to convince him to sell you his beloved gardens?”
