Page 26 of Romancing the Heiress
Perhaps he should tell her what was troubling him, to share his worries. She would understand. And she’d be horrified—as he’d been—by his father’s mismanagement. How lovely it would be to unburden himself to someone who knew him and would undoubtedly provide support and comfort.
No, there was no reason to reveal his private shame. He would weather the storm no matter the cost.
Chapter9
At one o’clock the following day, Leah and the other ladies met Phin and Mr. Mercer near the dais in the gardens. Last night’s festivities had ended early when it had started to rain. Many, including the orchestra, had moved to the assembly rooms to continue dancing, but Genevieve had claimed exhaustion, so they’d all returned to their suite.
Once there, Genevieve had complained about the excessive amount of time they were spending outside and that she was tired of the breeze and the sun—of which there hadn’t been a very great deal. After being rained on tonight, she declared she was done with being out of doors. Then Leah had gently reminded her of their appointment with Phin the following day. Groaning, Genevieve had said she hoped it wouldn’t take too long and had then expressed a desire to change their plans to tea instead.
The abbreviated festivities of the previous night meant that Leah hadn’t been able to spend any time with Phin. She had, however, danced with Mr. Mercer, which had prompted Mrs. Selkirk to remind her that as a companion, it wasn’t her job to dance.
Indeed, she’d tried to say that Leah needn’t join them for the folly tour, but Genevieve had insisted she come along, insisting Leah would contribute to the tour since she’d grown up here. Mrs. Selkirk had ultimately relented. Truly, Leah’s employment with the Selkirks couldn’t end soon enough.
The first folly Phin led them to was a miniature Venetian temple with a trio of statues. One of the most ornate of the follies, it had also been Phin’s grandfather’s favorite. Leah realized she could likely give this tour as well as Phin would.
Phin stood in front of them as he gestured to the temple. “This was the third folly built in the gardens and, like all the others, was designed by my grandfather.”
“He designed them?” Mr. Mercer asked. “Extraordinary.”
“He hired builders who measured things out specifically, but all the follies in the gardens were built to my grandfather’s explicit description, or, in a few cases, they were made as copies of specific buildings. For instance, there is a miniature Parthenon and White Tower from the Tower of London, though it’s a very simple version.”
“I’d love to see those,” Genevieve said.
Phin smiled. “And we shall. Go on and take a look inside the temple. The statues are worth closer examination.”
As everyone filed inside to investigate, Leah lingered behind with Phin. She whispered, “I’m sorry you have to put up with Mr. Mercer. I had the sense you would have preferred he not come today. But you needn’t worry he’ll be competition for Genevieve. He is not here to wed.”
“That does not concern me.” Phin also kept his voice low. “I found him irritating with his questions and unsolicited advice about my ‘pleasure’ gardens.”
“He is a bit insufferable, isn’t he?”
“I would say more than a bit.” Phin cracked a smile, and they parted as the others came out of the folly.
Mr. Mercer moved toward Leah. “You aren’t interested in the temple, Miss Webster?”
“I’ve seen every nook and cranny more times than I can count. I spent my childhood running about these gardens.”
“How charming.” He swung his walking stick gently as they strolled toward the next folly, a round temple with pillars and a domed roof. “The one up ahead is rather large.”
“Large enough to set up a half dozen tables for games or food on a rainy day. It’s quite useful for when the weather spoils a picnic.” Leah thought about Mr. Mercer’s queries the day before. She hadn’t discussed that with him when they’d danced last night, but after seeing Phin’s irritation today, she wondered if she might learn more. “How is your investigation into Marrywell’s festival going?”
Mr. Mercer laughed. “I wouldn’t call it an investigation.”
“Wouldn’t you?” Leah asked as she looked over at his profile. His nose didn’t have a bump like hers, but it was on the long side. “Your questioning of Phin yesterday was perhaps intrusive.”
“I didn’t mean for it to be. I’m afraid my business sensibilities take over sometimes.” His face creased into a brief but pained grimace. “I see so much potential for profit here. It’s hard to see it wasted.”
“That’s your perspective, I suppose. Phin would rather not profit off his fellow Marrywellers.”
“Except it seems he’d be profiting more off those visiting from out of town. From talking to the mayor, I gleaned that this festival has grown nearly fivefold in the past ten years alone.”
Leah hadn’t realized it was that much, but she noticed a marked difference in the seven years she’d been absent. And that increase was due to people attending from outside Marrywell. Probably from London and Bath. People who could afford to pay admittance to the gardens. Or to a variety of things and places. The brewer’s field came to mind. Some of the brewers charged fees for ale samples—typically their finest recipes. But what if they all did? And what if Phin charged a fee to enter the enclosure? Plenty of those who overimbibed had trampled flowers or caused other trouble. Perhaps it made sense to ask them to pay. Leah didn’t think that would keep people from drinking the ale. If anything, it might keep them from becoming quite so drunk.
“Since Radford is your friend, you should talk to him,” Mr. Mercer said. “No one’s coffers are too full.”
While Phin was her friend, Leah didn’t think he wanted to hear about this. Besides, it wasn’t as if he discussed such matters with her. If anything, she would mention something to Tom. But even then, she probably wouldn’t, not given Phin’s reaction to Mr. Mercer’s ideas.
They reached the round temple, and Phin told them when it was built as well as the materials used. This folly had been crafted from a stone that was different from all the rest. Leah hadn’t known that explicitly, but now that he said so, she recognized the difference.
