Romancing the Heiress(13)
Author: Darcy Burke
“Is that the May Queen?” Mrs. Dunhill asked, her gaze pinned on Sadie.
“It must be,” Mrs. Selkirk said. “She’s talking with Mrs. Sneed, who is one of the festival matrons and Mrs. Armstrong, the mayor’s wife.”
“Yes, that’s the Duchess of Lawford,” Leah said. It was time she claimed her relationship to Sadie, though Mrs. Selkirk would be annoyed that Leah hadn’t mentioned their association.
It seemed the inevitable moment was nearly upon them, for Sadie made eye contact with Leah and smiled. She and her husband excused themselves from Mrs. Sneed and Mrs. Armstrong and made their way toward Leah and the others.
“They’re coming this way!” Mrs. Selkirk said, standing straighter. “Give him your best curtsey, Genevieve.”
When they arrived, Sadie leaned forward and pressed her cheek to Leah’s. “You look so pretty.” She turned to her husband. “Law, you remember my dear friend Leah.”
“Of course.” He took Leah’s hand and bowed gallantly. “I’m delighted to see you again, Miss Webster.”
“She told you to call her Leah right after you insisted that she address you as Law,” Sadie said with a laugh.
Leah could feel the burning stares of Mrs. Selkirk and Mrs. Dunhill. Avoiding their gazes, she said, “Allow me to present the Duke and Duchess of Lawford. Sadie, Law, this is Mrs. Selkirk, her daughter Miss Genevieve Selkirk, and Mrs. Dunhill.”
Genevieve sank into a deep, impressive curtsey while Mrs. Selkirk and Mrs. Dunhill did their best with somewhat shallower versions.
“We’re very pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Grace,” Mrs. Selkirk said. “I’d no idea my daughter’s companion knew a duke. Or a duchess.” She flicked a glance toward Sadie.
“Leah is my dearest friend,” Sadie said, taking Leah’s hand. “We’ve known each other since we were practically babes. I’m also from Marrywell.”
“And you’re the May Queen because you made the best match at last year’s festival?” Genevieve asked. “I think that’s how it works, isn’t it?”
Sadie nodded. “Yes, precisely so.”
“Marrying a duke would guarantee that.” Mrs. Selkirk looked to Law. “How interesting that you came here for a bride hunt, Your Grace.”
“I didn’t really,” Law said. He gazed lovingly at Sadie. “But I suffered a mishap and had to stay for the festival. It was the happiest accident of my life.”
Mrs. Dunhill smiled wistfully. “How romantic.”
Yes, it was. Leah had read Sadie’s letter detailing what had happened with the breathlessness of devouring a romantic novel. And when she’d finished, she’d felt just as satisfied with how things had ended. Except, for Sadie and Law, it had been only the beginning. Leah couldn’t deny she’d felt a keen stab of envy.
Law glanced toward Sadie. “We promised Mrs. Rowell—she’s Sadie’s father’s cook—we’d sample her cakes.”
Sadie laughed softly. “You promised because you can’t resist. But yes, we should go see her display and encourage others to do so.” She glanced toward the Selkirks and Mrs. Dunhill. “You won’t want to miss the welcome-reception cakes. They are quite famous now.”
“I’ll definitely be having some,” Leah said with a smile, wishing she could get just a moment alone with Sadie. “I’ll find you later.”
Sadie nodded. “Yes, do. It will be a busy reception, but we’ll manage.” She patted Leah’s hand, and then she and Law went on their way.
When they were out of earshot, Mrs. Selkirk turned on Leah with blazing accusation in her eyes. “You are friendly with a duchess and never thought to mention that?”
Leah’s pulse raced. She felt instantly defensive but worked to maintain a calm exterior. “I suppose I still don’t think of her as a duchess. We’d been friends for so long when she wasn’t.”
Mrs. Selkirk pursed her lips and made a sound in her throat. “That seems unlikely.”
“That we are friends?” Leah shouldn’t have asked, but wasn’t able to stop herself.
“That you aren’t perfectly aware that your dear friend is a duchess.” Mrs. Selkirk’s response was as sharp as a rose’s thorn. “No one would overlook or forget such a thing.”
Genevieve blinked at Leah but spoke to her mother. “Why would she do that?”
“I can’t think of a reason, which is why the omission is both baffling and troubling. I would expect your paid companion to do whatever possible to improve your standing and expand your social connections. Your acquaintance with the Duke and Duchess of Lawford would have helped you this Season.”
“Forgive me,” Leah said. “Sadie—Her Grace—was in a delicate condition and is a new mother. She has not been very involved in the Season.”
“That may be, but the duchess is the May Queen,” Mrs. Selkirk said with considerable heat. “That would have been good for us to know. You could have introduced Genevieve to Her Grace before this reception, which would have given her an advantage.”
“That wouldn’t have been fair,” Leah murmured. But that wasn’t the issue at all. Mrs. Selkirk’s abrasive demeanor and entitlement were the reasons Leah hadn’t wanted to introduce her to Sadie.
Mrs. Selkirk sniffed. “Bah, fair will get you nowhere, but then that is why you’re merely a companion.” She turned to Genevieve and Mrs. Dunhill. “Come, let us mingle. Perhaps we should start with the cakes since the duke and duchess went there. Genevieve, dear, you must do your best to make a favorable impression on Her Grace.” Shooting Leah a heavy-lidded stare, she added, “I dare hope Miss Webster has seen fit to put in a word for you.”
As a matter of fact, I have, Leah thought. Except, she was looking for an opportunity to put in another word—to keep Genevieve from becoming a maiden fair.
As they made their way to the room with the refreshments, Genevieve fell into step beside Leah walking behind her mother and Mrs. Dunhill. “I don’t think I want to be a maiden fair,” she whispered, confirming Leah’s supposition.
Leah spoke softly as she sent a sidelong look toward Genevieve, noting the young woman’s paler-than-normal features. “You mentioned that earlier. Why not? I thought you wanted to become betrothed. That is the best way to do so. It’s highly unusual when a maiden fair doesn’t make a match.”