Page 8 of Romancing the Heiress
“No, that is the distant past. It may as well be as ancient as Rome, actually.” Leah took a long sip of tea and prayed her friend wouldn’t see through her lies. Or that she at least wouldn’t say anything.
Leah had never stopped loving him, even knowing they would never be together. How could they be with her in London and him here in Marrywell? But the longer he’d gone without marrying, the more Leah’s faint hope had grown. Perhaps if he saw her now, after such a long time, he’d view her differently. That hope had prompted her to suggest to Mrs. Selkirk that they attend the matchmaking festival. Never in her selfish, ridiculous imaginings had she dreamed that Phin might be drawn to Genevieve instead.
Might. They’d only just met. Still, Leah knew Genevieve and she knew Phin, or she had known him, anyway. She cast Sadie a troubled look. “I’m concerned they are not a good match.”
“Why is that?”
“I can’t see Genevieve being happy in Marrywell. She’d expect that Phin would agree to at least visit London, if not spend part of the year there. And she vastly prefers being indoors. Her favorite activities are needlework, playing the pianoforte, and reading the latest gossip. We both know Phin practically lives outside.”
Sadie lifted her teacup. “I see. That does sound like a mismatch. They will likely come to that conclusion quickly, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps. I only want to be a good friend. And if I’m to be a good companion, I should tell Genevieve that Phin is absolutely tied to Marrywell and to the botanical gardens. Or, I should just encourage them both and keep my observations to myself.” Leah rubbed her hand over her forehead. The part of her that loved Phin wanted to stick her nose in, but they had no future together. Phinwastied to Marrywell, and Leah had been far happier away from here.
After sipping her tea, Sadie set the cup down. “I think you should tell Phin about Genevieve’s expectations and preferences. He’d appreciate your honesty.”
Yes, he likely would. “It would give me an excuse to pay a call on him tomorrow.” The festival would start the day after, and she wanted to see him before things became busier.
“Then by all means, you should,” Sadie said with a laugh before adding, “If Mrs. Selkirk will allow it.”
“She seemed keen about Phin when he escorted Genevieve about the gardens for a half hour yesterday. If I tell her that I’m going to speak with him about Genevieve—which I am—she’ll no doubt be in favor.”
“How interesting that Mrs. Selkirk would support her daughter marrying someone like Phin. After what you just told me, it seems Miss Selkirk would be better matched with a gentleman in London.”
“I thought so too, but her Season hasn’t been terribly successful thus far. When I suggested the matchmaking festival, Mrs. Selkirk leapt at the idea.”
“What of her father?” Sadie asked. “Or is he leaving all the marriage planning and negotiating to Mrs. Selkirk?”
“Captain Selkirk is away training with his regiment. I believe he’s expected back in London later this spring.”
Leah fidgeted with her remaining spice cake. “Do you know if Phin is planning to seek a bride this year?” That would explain his potential interest in Genevieve.
Sadie shook her head. “I don’t. He has seemed content in his bachelorhood. What about you? There is another option for your future—you could wed. And since I’m the May Queen, I have it on good authority that you can be a maiden fair. If you want.” She winked at Leah.
Leah couldn’t think of anything more horrible. Everyone watching her every move? Wagers placed on whom she would wed? That would definitely garner her parents’ attention. Furthermore, why bother with such a farce when there was only one man she would ever consider marrying?
“No, thank you,” Leah said with a faint smile. “I don’t think marriage is for me. But perhaps you could choose Genevieve? Then she could make a match with someone more suitable than Phin.”
“I suppose that makes sense. And seeing her married would help you since you could then move on to a new position. All right, I’ll name her. But you are still my first choice.” Sadie met her gaze. “You’ll let me know if you change your mind before Thursday?”
“I will.” But she wouldn’t.
Chapter4
Phin frowned at the barren gardens his grandfather had once lovingly cultivated behind Radford Grange. This was not what they should look like.
“Stop blaming yourself.” Thomas Fell, Phin’s steward, said from his left. “Last year’s weather was beyond your control. Everyone struggled. You made the right decision to transplant everything that survived here to the botanical gardens.”
Nearing age seventy, Tom possessed more energy in one arm than some people half his age. And his knowledge of managing an estate and botanical gardens could fill several volumes. He’d also managed to father six wonderful children who’d gone on to give him a good many grandchildren. That he was still here working tirelessly with Phin was a testament to the man’s loyalty.
Or stubbornness. More than once, he’d said he wouldnotleave Phin in his current financial predicament. That relieved Phin, for Tom was the only person who knew the true state of Radford Grange’s nearly empty coffers.
“How long will it take to build them back up?” Phin asked, though he already knew. He just wanted to hear Tom’s optimism.
“A couple of years, I’d guess. Stop fretting over things you can’t fix. You didn’t make this mess.”
No, he didn’t—neither the weather nor the state of his coffers. “But I have to tidy it.”
Thomas clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re doing a fine job, lad. Your grandfather would be proud. And your father, though you probably don’t want to hear that.”
