Page 6 of Romancing the Heiress
Summoning a bland smile, Leah said, “My friend is meeting me downstairs as you requested.” Mrs. Parker had been delighted to arrange tea for Leah and Sadie in the corner sitting room.
“Oh, that.” Mrs. Selkirk waved a hand before narrowing her blue eyes. “You and she aren’t leaving the inn, are you?”
“No. Would it be a problem if we did?”
“I suppose not. I wondered if you might have changed your mind about visiting your parents.”
“She wouldn’t have done,” Genevieve answered. “Leah isn’t close with them.” That was all Leah had told her.
Despite Genevieve’s assurance, Mrs. Selkirk looked to Leah expectantly.
“I have not and will not change my mind,” Leah said. “What Genevieve says is true.” Hopefully, she wouldn’t see them at all during the festival. This was likely, for her mother didn’t care for social engagements.
“Well, that’s a shame,” Mrs. Selkirk said without a hint of pity or care. “It sounds as though my aunt did you a favor when she plucked you from this town.”
“She did indeed.” A mix of gladness and sorrow twisted together in Leah’s chest. “Lady Norcott was a wonderful person.”
“Yes, we were privileged to call her family.” Mrs. Selkirk often reminded Leah, in subtle ways like this, that they were Lady Norcott’s family, no matter how close Leah and the woman had grown over their six years together.
“If you’ll excuse me, I don’t want to keep my friend waiting,” Leah said demurely. She hesitated, and when Mrs. Selkirk didn’t say anything, Leah left the suite as sedately as possible.
Exhaling, Leah made her way downstairs. She truly hoped Genevieve would become betrothed this week. Then, Leah could find a new position far away from Mrs. Selkirk.
When Leah stepped into the sitting room, Sadie was already there. Standing near the window facing the yard, she looked the same as Leah always remembered her—a ready smile, warm green eyes that often crinkled with laughter, her average-sized frame coiled with boundless energy. However, her light brown hair was slightly different. Her simple style had been replaced with a more elegant presentation, complete with a pearl comb. There was also an indescribable light within Sadie that hadn’t been there before. Leah would guess that was a result of motherhood.
Sadie hurried toward her, and they embraced. “I’m so happy to see you,” she said near Leah’s ear.
When they parted, Leah grinned at her. “You are radiant.”
“Am I? I was afraid I looked exhausted.”
Leah arched a brow at her. “Can you even become exhausted? I didn’t think that was possible.”
Laughing, Sadie went to the table. “I didn’t think so either, but I’ve never had a baby before.”
“You’re happy, though?” Leah, asked, taking her seat.
“Astonishingly. And that’s with a terrible lack of sleep.” Sadie poured and prepared their tea with milk and sugar. “What about you? Last time we were together, you were still mourning Lady Norcott’s passing and you had a few reservations about your current arrangement.” Sadie glanced toward the doorway. “I’m going to go close that door.”
“Brilliant.” Leah didn’t want to chance Mrs. Selkirk overhearing their conversation. Surely some of Leah’s life could be private. She sipped her tea and put two of Mrs. Parker’s delicious spice cakes on her plate.
Sadie slid back into her chair, smoothing the skirt of her daffodil-colored gown. “I take it your concerns have not gone away?”
“Not entirely. This arrangement is not as…fulfilling as when I was with Lady Norcott.”
“There’s no need to be guarded with me,” Sadie said wryly, putting a few cakes on her own plate. “I know how happy you were with Lady Norcott. She truly cared for you as if you were a member of her family.”
She had indeed. Aside from ensuring Leah visited nearly every respectable park, garden, museum, library in London, Lady Norcott had also taken Leah to Bath, Brighton, and York. Leah had learned, seen, and experienced things she’d never imagined. But that wasn’t what Leah missed most. She missed the woman—her laugh, her witty comments, and above all, her generosity of spirit. In many ways, Lady Norcott had been the mother, or perhaps grandmother, Leah had never had.
“I didn’t expect working for Mrs. Selkirk as companion to her daughter to be the same,” Leah said. “But I also didn’t expect to feel as though I’m a hindrance. Mrs. Selkirk likes to remind me of how grateful I ought to be that I’m not working in the kitchen.”
“She must not realize how comfortable you are there,” Sadie said with a laugh.
Leah nodded as she swallowed a bite of cake. “Or how much I like the company of her cook and kitchen maids.”
“Have you considered seeking a different position?” Sadie asked.
“I have, but Mrs. Selkirk has made no secret of her desire that Genevieve wed with haste. I decided I could be patient since this position likely wouldn’t last more than a year.”
