Page 54 of Romancing the Heiress
“Yes, but as I said, Monty stood up for me. He explained why he sought out my real mother, that he was looking for the love Harriet denied him. He apologized for not protecting me.”
“Can you forgive him?” Phin frowned deeply. “I’m not sure you should.”
“I do already. Forgiveness is for me, and I’m ready to grant it. I want to get past it. I want to be here, in Marrywell, to build the life I always dreamed of. I’m still mulling what kind of relationship I want to have with him, if any.” She grimaced faintly. “I was thinking that I’d like to give Harriet some money so that she can leave Black Sheep Farm. Everyone would be happier.”
“Does that include you? I’ll fully endorse anything that brings you peace and joy.”
“Living in Marrywell without her at Black Sheep Farm would be a blessing, but becoming your wife is really all I want. All I need.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t realize that I want and need that too. I feel like an idiot,” he said sheepishly. “Particularly after Mercer’s comment that it’s obvious we’re meant to be together.”
“We were already so close—as friends. You just needed to see me in a…slightly different light.”
“I definitely do now.” He put his arms around her and drew her close so they were chest to chest. “I am rather desperate to carry you upstairs and demonstrate precisely how I view you.”
“Can you tell me instead? I think I need to go confront Mrs. Selkirk about stealing my inheritance.”
Phin’s jaw dropped once more. “Is that what happened?”
“That’s all I can think,” Leah said. “I wasn’t aware that Genevieve had a sizeable dowry until we arrived in Marrywell. Mrs. Selkirk has mentioned it several times, including to you as soon as she made your acquaintance, but didn’t over the past two months of the Season in London. Why wait until this week to publicize it? I believe Mrs. Selkirk only did that because she was so close to getting the money. One more week without my claiming it, and it would have been hers. She must have been keeping the solicitor from being able to find me. I’m more convinced of this than ever upon learning my father had been writing me letters, and I didn’t receive those either.”
The snippet of conversation Phin had overheard the other night came back to him. “I think I heard Mrs. Selkirk and Mrs. Dunhill discussing this. Mrs. Selkirk said she was so close to getting the money, that it would be less than a fortnight.”
Leah was quiet a moment, her lips parted. “Then itistrue.”
“Diabolical and contemptible.” He couldn’t wait to see the woman’s face when she learned that Leah was going to claim her money. “I’ll come with you.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Leah twined her arms around his neck. “But first, I want to hear how you view me.”
Phin grinned at the woman who would soon be his wife and who had always been his dearest friend. “You are my friend.” He kissed her forehead. “My confidante.” He kissed her cheek. “My lover.” He kissed her mouth, letting his lips linger against hers. Then he looked into her eyes, and he hoped she saw his heart there. “But most of all, you are the other half of my soul.”
A tear leaked from her eye. Phin wiped it away. “Don’t cry, my love.”
“I’m just so happy.”
“And I will endeavor to keep you so.” Phin kissed her again, this time for much longer and with much more complexity. When they were finished, they were both gasping for breath.
Phin caressed her shoulders. “As much as I would like to keep on with this activity, I think we should go and speak with Mrs. Selkirk.”
Leah’s eyes darkened. “Yes. First, I want to stop at Fieldstone and speak to Law about using his coach. I’d like to know how quickly we can be on our way to London.”
“An excellent idea.” Phin stilled his hands on her back. “We should inform Gran of our good news before we go.”
Leah’s mouth spread in a lovely smile that lit every corner of his heart. “Yes, please.”
“She’ll be upstairs in her sitting room.” As Phin guided Leah from the drawing room, he imagined her living here with him as mistress of Radford Grange. Gran was going to be thrilled. And he somehow knew his grandfather would be too.
Leah saw her own happiness reflected in Sadie’s buoyant smile on the other side of Law’s coach. After visiting them at Fieldstone to tell them of the letter—and of Leah and Phin’s betrothal—Sadie had insisted on accompanying them to the New Inn to confront Mrs. Selkirk. Law had agreed, saying that he wanted to bear witness to Mrs. Selkirk’s confession, if she gave one. If not, he wanted to be present for that too in case he needed to speak on Leah’s behalf.
Who wouldn’t want a duke’s endorsement?
They pulled into the yard at the New Inn, and a moment later left the coach. Before going inside, Leah took a sustaining breath. She couldn’t imagine what Mrs. Selkirk was going to say when presented with the letter.
Heart pounding and butterflies flitting about her stomach, Leah climbed the stairs to the first floor, where their suite was located. Phin kept a comforting hand at the small of her back.
Outside the door, Phin pressed a kiss to her cheek. “It will be over soon. Then our life together will begin.”
They’d decided that they would set out for London today in Law’s coach. He and Sadie would remain at Fieldstone, stranded without a vehicle, just as he’d been a year ago when they’d met. The two had found it rather fitting.
