Romancing the Heiress(14)
Author: Darcy Burke
“I’m not sure I need that exposure after meeting Mr. Radford,” Genevieve said. The hint of a smile teased her small, perfectly feminine mouth.
Leah clenched one hand into a fist, then flexed it as a wave of unease swept over her. “You think he’s your match?”
“He could be, yes.” Genevieve’s eyes glowed with anticipation. “I do hope he comes soon.”
“Don’t take it personally if he doesn’t,” Leah said, torn between not wanting to encourage a match between her charge and her dearest friend and wanting to help them both be happy. She was also jealous, but she was going to have to get over that. From the moment she’d left Marrywell, she’d never expected to marry anyone, let alone Phin, so her jealousy was wholly ridiculous. “He is terribly busy. I’m sure he’ll see you tonight.”
They entered the room with the cakes just as Sadie and Law departed through another doorway. And so it went for the next hour. Mrs. Selkirk kept angling for a chance to speak with them again, only for the opportunity to slip away. At one point, she accused Leah of somehow ensuring they weren’t able to converse. Leah had nearly laughed.
Finally, Mrs. Selkirk abandoned her prey and they simply walked amongst the other attendees, exchanging pleasantries and meeting a variety of gentlemen who were scouting their marital options. Leah came to the conclusion that the festival was basically the entire London Season compressed into one week. Thinking of it in those terms made it seem even more absurd than the Marriage Mart. The festival was its own marketplace, with high-stakes decisions happening at a rapid pace.
After another hour or more, Leah excused herself to visit the retiring room but actually stole outside to take a restorative walk through the sculpture garden behind the assembly rooms. The afternoon was cool with a breeze, but she welcomed the fresh, brisk air.
As she passed a large tree, she stumbled upon Sadie perched on a stone bench. She looked up, her gaze connecting with Leah’s. “Yes, I’m hiding.”
Leah laughed, then sat down beside her. “I’ll hide with you. I’m supposed to be in the retiring room.”
“I can see why you’d want a respite from Mrs. Selkirk. She is…something.”
“Yes, but I can manage her.” Leah didn’t want Sadie’s concern or, worse, her pity. “Why are you hiding?”
“I just needed to rest. Being the May Queen is exhausting.”
“Yes, about that. If it’s not too late, I’d like to ask that you not submit Genevieve’s name for maiden fair. She’s nervous about the attention it will bring.” Leah couldn’t quite bring herself to state the other reason—that Genevieve being a maiden fair might intrude on her burgeoning courtship with Phin.
Sadie grimaced. “I’m so sorry. It’s too late. I came out here after giving Mr. Armstrong the list, and she was on it.”
Blast. It wasn’t too many years ago that there wouldn’t have been a list. Until perhaps ten years ago, the May Queen didn’t share her choices until she announced them on the dais.
Leah blew out a breath. “Well, at least Mrs. Selkirk will be pleased. Though, I doubt she’ll give me any credit.”
“You deserve all of it,” Sadie said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t have chosen her otherwise. I picked ladies who might have been overlooked.” She leaned toward Leah and whispered, “Three of them are over the age of twenty-five.”
Gasping in mock outrage, Leah brought her hand to her mouth. They both giggled.
“Well done, Sadie,” Leah said softly. “You remain one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”
“Does that include Lady Norcott? I know how close you were.”
“It does.” Leah missed her. She’d come to know Leah better than probably anyone. Which was why her insistence that Leah become Genevieve’s companion was so puzzling. Surely Lady Norcott knew how difficult her niece, Mrs. Selkirk, would be. Wouldn’t she have wanted a better situation for Leah?
Because Mrs. Selkirk was Lady Norcott’s niece, it was entirely possible that the woman Lady Norcott knew was not the ogress that trod all over Leah at every opportunity. Ogress? The description almost made Leah giggle again.
“You are very kind to look out for your charge,” Sadie said. “I hope being a maiden fair won’t be too taxing for Miss Selkirk.”
“It isn’t just that.” Leah angled herself toward Sadie. She hesitated to continue but knew she should.
Sadie pivoted toward her. “Is something wrong?”
Leah gathered her courage. “I think Phin may want to offer for her. I thought it would be best if he didn’t have competition for her hand.”
“Oh, Leah.” Sadie gave her a quick but tight embrace. “You are far too generous. How can you be so thoughtful at your own expense?”
“Phin is my friend. Of course I’ll help him be happy.” That hadn’t been her first plan, however, because she’d truly thought they would be a poor match. If keeping them apart had also meant he would remain unwed and she could continue to dream about a future with him, well then, so much the better. Except it had only been a dream, and it was time to put those silly thoughts behind her for good.
“Are you sure you’re all right? You can tell me you don’t have feelings for Phin, but I know you did.”
“That’s the past. I left Marrywell seven years ago, and though I’m back right now, it’s not permanent. I’ve been happier since I left.”
“I can only imagine,” Sadie whispered with sympathy. “But I’m sad to think you may never call Marrywell home again.”
“My future lies elsewhere.” Leah only wished she knew where. She’d feel better about things, about losing Phin, once her next position—her path—was sorted.
Sadie didn’t look convinced. “You truly think so?”
Leah had to. “Don’t you think Phin would have written back to me if he cared about me the way I did for him? We’re old friends and nothing more.”
“I suppose. But he could also just be a man who’s terrible at corresponding. He has always asked me about you and told me to send you his best when I next wrote to you.” That was true, but it didn’t change the fact that if he truly cared, he would have written at least one letter. Wouldn’t he?
Sadie went on, “Are you really happy as a companion?”