Page 58 of Romancing the Heiress
Phin kissed her forehead. “I am glad, for I would not want to have to choose between any of the Leahs I’ve come to know. I agree that they are all you. And I’m quite keen to get to know the lady of business. Do you really think Marrywellers will support this new direction for the gardens?”
“I believe plenty of people will support us no matter what.”
“I only care that I have your support.”
She smiled up at him. “You have that. And my love. And my undying devotion.”
Pausing, Phin pulled her into his arms just before they reached the coach. “I didn’t think I could love you more than I did this morning, and yet I do. I have to assume I will love you even more this evening. How is that possible?”
She gave him a saucy look as she pressed up against him. “You’re an expert at how things grow. You tell me.”
“My dear, if you aren’t careful, you will shortly become an expert in a particular…growth.”
“Naughty Phin! We are about to get in a coach with our dear friends.”
“Are you coming?” Sadie called, punctuating Leah’s statement.
“Not yet,” Phin murmured before brushing his lips against Leah’s. “But I plan to. Later.”
Leah kissed him back before spinning away toward the coach. “Definitely naughty.”
And she wouldn’t have him any other way.
Epilogue
Four weeks later
Leah didn’t remember a time when the botanical gardens had been so full apart from the matchmaking festival or a summer entertainment. And it was all to celebrate her and Phin’s wedding, which had taken place that morning in the Marrywell church. As it happened, the vicar was off visiting his sister, so Sadie’s brother Adam, the curate, had officiated.
It was the last week of May, and the flowers were in full bloom. There were even a handful of flowers in the beds at Radford Grange. She and Phin had spent a great deal of time over the past few weeks planting seeds and tending the gardens to recovery. It would take time, but thankfully, they had plenty of that.
They had forever.
The most astonishing part of their wedding was that Leah’s father had walked her down the aisle at the church. Indeed, her entire family had been in attendance, with the exception of her sister Rebecca, who was in mourning as her husband had died. Harriet had also been missing because Leah and Phin had given her two hundred pounds to leave Marrywell and never return. She’d left without complaint.
“Auntie Leah!” Jacob, who’d carried her ring to the altar during the ceremony that morning, ran toward her as he flew a kite. “I did it!”
Leah grinned at her nephew, so glad she’d come home and now had him and his siblings in her life. “Don’t slow down. It may fall.”
She’d also met her sister Meg’s two children, a boy and a girl. Meg was also expecting her third in the autumn. She and her husband lived twenty miles away and, now that Harriet was gone, promised to actually visit from time to time. Perhaps they might all even be together for Christmas.
Leah could scarcely imagine it. But which revelation had been most surprising? Her reconciliation with her family, that she was an heiress, or that her unrequited love was, in fact, very much requited. She didn’t have an answer, but the last one was by far the best. She would have traded the others, and anything else, for the happiness she now shared with Phin.
She looked over at where he sat with Gran, who’d insisted that Leah drop the “Lady” in her address. Her father was also with them, seated around a table, which was one of several scattered about. There was an enormous quantity of food made by various townspeople, including a huge spice cake as well as ale, lemonade, champagne, and, if Leah wasn’t mistaken, some sort of smuggled liquor.
Mr. Armstrong, the mayor, took to the dais and called for everyone’s attention. “If the happy couple could please join me here.”
Leah made eye contact with Phin as he dashed from his chair and offered her his arm. He escorted her up to the dais, a wide grin splitting his handsome face. Mrs. Armstrong greeted them with two glasses of champagne, which she pressed into their hands.
Phin bowed. “At your service, Mayor.”
Mr. Armstrong addressed everyone. “I’d like to propose a toast to our very own May Day Matchmaking Festival successandnext year’s May King and Queen—Phineas and Leah! May your match be strong and true, and may you enjoyunmatched happiness.” He waggled his brows as he lifted his glass. “Everyone, join me in congratulating the bride and groom. Huzzah!”
Meeting Phin’s gaze, Leah lost herself for a moment, the sounds of everyone cheering fading to a murmur as her world narrowed to just him. This was all she’d ever wanted. No, it was far more.
Phin tapped his glass to hers. “To you, my love.”
“To us,” she said before sipping her wine. Then Phin leaned over and kissed her, briefly but sweetly. This garnered even more cheers.
