Romancing the Heiress(15)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

“I was when I was with Lady Norcott. I don’t suppose you’ve detected any potential opportunities yet?”

 

“No, but I’ll make discreet inquiries.” Sadie cocked her head to the side. “Are you certain you might not want a husband? What if you could marry Ph—”

 

Leah quickly interrupted her. “Don’t even say it. That is not an option.”

 

“I hope you won’t regret not telling him how you feel.”

 

“Used to feel,” Leah corrected, though it was very much a lie. How she wished it could be true, though. She needed it to be true.

 

Sadie exhaled. “You never know what may happen during a matchmaking festival.”

 

Eager to divert the conversation, Leah gave her a wry squint. “Such as a duke’s coach losing its wheel in front of your house and you ending up married to that duke?”

 

“Ha, yes, exactly that.” Sadie sighed. “I should go find him. He was waylaid by a few gentlemen from London, and I think they dragged him into the gaming room. He’ll be desperate for rescue.”

 

They stood and linked arms as they walked back toward the door into the assembly rooms. Before they could go inside, however, a gentleman exited. His eyes lit with recognition when he saw Sadie.

 

He smiled. “Your Grace, you must introduce me to your companion.”

 

“Allow me to present my very dear friend, Miss Leah Webster,” Sadie said. “Leah, this is Mr. Lionel Mercer. We met earlier. He’s visiting the festival from London and is acquainted with Law.”

 

Mr. Mercer flashed a quick smile that brightened his flint-gray eyes. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Webster. How do you and Her Grace know each other?”

 

“We grew up here together in Marrywell,” Leah responded.

 

“I see. I find your town most pleasing.” He looked about the statue garden. “Indeed, I’m quite charmed.”

 

“Are you here to find a match?” Leah asked.

 

Mr. Mercer let out a short laugh. “Not at all. I was curious to see this infamous festival. I admit to wondering how such a sleepy hamlet could support such a large influx of people. I see the town and its businesses are robust. I also see potential.” His eyes glittered, looking even more like flint than before.

 

Leah cocked her head. “What does that mean?”

 

“I am a businessman, Miss Webster, and though I just arrived this morning, it seems to me that Marrywell is ripe for investment, such as more inns with luxurious suites and dining rooms.”

 

The festival had become increasingly busy over the past decade especially. Additional lodging would surely be helpful, but Leah wasn’t sure how Marrywellers would feel about an outsider providing that. “You’ll find that our ‘robust’ businesses are entirely owned and operated by the people of Marrywell.”

 

“Certainly. I’m sure it’s grown exponentially, and progress is always a good thing, especially when it enriches hardworking people. I am particularly keen to see the pleasure gardens, though I understand the labyrinth won’t be open until after the coronation this evening.”

 

“They’re botanical gardens,” Leah corrected. That was the title Phin’s grandfather had given them, and anything else sounded dreadfully wrong.

 

“I didn’t realize. How splendid. I look forward to viewing the flowers and foliage. And the labyrinth—the largest in England, I understand.”

 

“Yes, it’s most impressive,” Sadie said. “You must excuse us, Mr. Mercer. I need to find my husband.”

 

“Of course.” He gave another gallant bow, and when he straightened, his attention once more settled on Leah. “I look forward to seeing you this week, Miss Webster.” He looked to Sadie. “Your Grace.”

 

Leah and Sadie walked into the assembly rooms, leaving Mr. Mercer behind in the garden. When they were away from the door, Sadie glanced over her shoulder. He hadn’t followed them.

 

“He should have mentioned you first,” Leah said.

 

“Perhaps, but he was clearly focused on you.” Sadie’s tone held a teasing lilt.

 

“He explicitly said he wasn’t here to make a match.”

 

“Funny, but you said the same thing.” Sadie laughed.

 

Leah rolled her eyes as she took her arm from Sadie’s. “I need to find the Selkirks.”

 

“Do you want me to go with you so that Mrs. Selkirk won’t be upset about the length of your absence?”

 

“You understand her completely,” Leah said with a grin. “Thank you, but I’ll manage.” She looked about at the still-crowded assembly rooms. “I miss the festivals of our youth, and not just because we weren’t concerned with making matches. There are so many people here now. From as far away as Bath and London.”

 

“It has changed somewhat,” Sadie agreed.

 

“If Mr. Mercer has his way, it will continue to do so.” But that was the way of life. Things changed. People changed. Plans changed. Everyone had to find a way to adapt and carry on.

 

Leah caught sight of Genevieve, Mrs. Selkirk, and Mrs. Dunhill. Seeing them reminded her that change was indeed on the horizon. Genevieve would soon be married and likely to Phin.

 

Leah would adapt and she would carry on. There was simply nothing else for her to do.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

 

 

 

Luck, it seemed, was not Phin’s friend.

 

He stared at the hole in the roof of one of the follies situated in the center of the labyrinth. The timing of this disaster couldn’t have been worse, with the labyrinth opening for the season after tonight’s coronation ceremony.

 

“I’d say you need to hire a stonemason,” Tom said as he surveyed the newly crumbling folly at the center of the labyrinth. “It’s too bad this didn’t happen with the other one.” He glanced toward the matching folly, which was the same as this one except in a “ruined” state.

 

“That one doesn’t have a roof to cave in,” Phin grumbled. Sunlight streamed into the folly they stood in front of through the new, large hole.

 

“True.”

 

Phin kicked a small rock. “Since we can’t afford a stonemason at present, what are our options?”