Romancing the Heiress(16)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

“We can’t risk allowing anyone inside. The structural integrity is compromised, and without a stonemason to assess the damage, we can’t know how bad it is.”

 

“How the hell do we keep people out of it? The labyrinth will be overflowing with people tonight.”

 

“You’ll need to put up a sign.” Tom lifted a shoulder. “And I suppose wrap it in bunting? Something that makes it look like it can’t be entered.”

 

“I would hope the hole in the roof where it’s not supposed to be would deter anyone, but I suspect those who are not familiar with how it’s supposed to look will just think it’s part of the ‘ruin.’” Except it wasn’t supposed to be a ruin.

 

“I’ll find some bunting and ask one of the gardeners to make a sign. You should talk to the mayor and ask him to make an announcement about this tonight. In fact, you may want to see if he can station a page or two here to keep people out.”

 

Wonderful. Phin couldn’t wait for attention to be directed at his falling-down, practically bankrupt botanical gardens. “I’ll do that. Damn, I’ve already missed a good portion of the welcome reception dealing with this.”

 

“Well, hurry, then,” Tom urged, waving him off.

 

“Thank you, Tom. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Phin crammed his hat on more securely as he broke into a brisk walk through the labyrinth toward the main gate leading to Garden Street.

 

The need for money had just become desperate. It was one thing to not be able to add follies—the gardens probably had enough anyway—but to not possess the funds to keep them in good repair and safe was untenable.

 

There was no help for it. Phin needed a wealthy wife, and he needed her now. Hopefully, he would see Miss Selkirk at the welcome reception. If he wasn’t too late. But as soon as he reached the street, he could see numerous people leaving the assembly rooms and knew he’d missed it.

 

“Phin?”

 

Pivoting to the left, he saw Leah coming toward him. Perhaps he’d encounter Miss Selkirk after all. But no, Leah was alone.

 

He smiled in greeting. “Afternoon, Leah. The reception’s over, I take it?”

 

“For the most part, yes. If you’re looking for Genevieve, she and her mother returned to the New Inn.”

 

Phin hesitated. For some reason, he felt odd discussing his potential courtship of Miss Selkirk with Leah. Why would that be? She was his oldest and dearest friend. And she could possibly aid his cause.

 

“I imagine I’ll see her later,” he ended up saying. “I’m looking for Mr. Armstrong, actually. Have you seen him?”

 

“I did—in the assembly rooms, but I believe he left a while ago. On the topic of Miss Selkirk… I hope you won’t think I’m being intrusive.” Leah paused as if to see if he would object to whatever she wanted to say. On the contrary, he wanted to hear it. She went on, “I expect she’ll be chosen as a maiden fair, so if you plan to court her, you may want to declare your courtship as soon as possible.”

 

“I would ask how you know that, but since Sadie is the May Queen, I have to trust you are correct.” Damn. Miss Selkirk was bound to be quite popular, especially if her dowry became known. Phin certainly didn’t plan to share that detail. Still, he should plan for a contingency. Perhaps he would find another heiress during the festival. He cringed inwardly. They didn’t sprout from the ground like most things he cared for.

 

“You seem disappointed,” Leah noted. “I’m sorry. I know how much you liked her. For what it’s worth, I believe she likes you too.”

 

“Ah, well, that’s good to know.” Again, he felt awkward discussing this with Leah and wasn’t sure why. He wanted to change the subject. “That’s a very smart outfit. You look so different from the Leah I remember.”

 

She laughed. “I hope so. Nothing I wore here in Marrywell would be appropriate in London. Thankfully, Lady Norcott was aware of that and outfitted me accordingly. She was most generous.”

 

Phin recalled the woman had been rather wealthy in addition to kind and genuine. While he’d hated to see Leah leave, he’d known she couldn’t refuse the offer to become the lady’s companion.

 

“Why are you looking for Mr. Armstrong?” Leah asked.

 

Should he tell her? It wasn’t a secret. Everyone would see that the folly was tumbling down, and there would be a sign telling people to stay away, perhaps even pages delivering warnings. He just wouldn’t tell her of his deeper worry, that the gardens would fall into complete disrepair and Marrywell would suffer.

 

“One of the follies at the center of the labyrinth needs repair. It will have to be closed for the duration of the festival. I’d like Armstrong to make an announcement about it tonight.”

 

Her brow creased. “Can it be fixed?”

 

“Not before the festival concludes. The roof caved in.”

 

“Oh dear, that means it’s the one that’s not in ruins.” She grimaced and gave him a sympathetic look. “How unfortunate.”

 

He smiled. “That was Tom’s reaction as well.”

 

She laughed. “Splendid. How is Tom? And Marjorie?”

 

“As busy as ever with their grandchildren.”

 

“With six children, they must have a good many of them.”

 

“I’m afraid I’ve lost count. Do you remember everything about everyone?”

 

“Most people, especially the ones I left behind in Marrywell.” Her lips lifted, and her eyes shone with…sentimentality? Wistfulness? Something else? “Do you want help looking for Mr. Armstrong?”

 

He chuckled. “I don’t need to search for him as if we’re playing hide-and-seek.”

 

“True.” She shrugged. “Never mind, then.”

 

“No! Come with me. I always like company, especially yours. We should spend as much time together as possible while you’re here. We’ve a great deal to catch up on. I imagine you’ve read a million books and visited every park and garden in London.” He offered her his arm.

 

Leah curled her hand around his sleeve. The scent of violets and lavender surrounded him, and since he knew every scent in every square foot of the gardens, he could say with certainty it was not originating there. It was Leah. He’d never noticed her fragrance before. Indeed, he would have wagered she didn’t have a fragrance. But that had been a long time ago. She was a fully realized woman now, with a mysterious air about her. Mysterious? That was just because he hadn’t seen her in so long.