Romancing the Heiress(21)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

“How magnanimous.” Mercer led Leah toward one of the follies—there were several on the periphery of the main entertainment area where the dais was situated. “I do admire these follies. They are so essential to pleasure gardens, I think.”

 

“These are not pleasure gardens,” Phin said, growing irritated with the man. “They are botanical gardens.”

 

Mercer chuckled. “Miss Webster corrected me on that point as well. Are you two old friends?”

 

“Yes,” Phin and Leah answered in unison. Phin couldn’t help but grin at her and was pleased when she smiled in response. He knew he had her support, and in the presence of a man like Mercer, that mattered.

 

“How much do you charge for admission?” Mercer asked.

 

“I don’t.”

 

Mercer blinked. “Not anything? Don’t you host entertainments in summer?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That’s just…” Mercer shook his head, clearly bemused. “Why do you give it all away for free?”

 

“My grandfather wanted to share the beauty of the gardens with the people of Marrywell. He was a strong proponent of the matchmaking festival and constructed the labyrinth specifically for the event.”

 

“Very magnanimous,” Mercer murmured. “You do at least charge for food and drink?”

 

“I don’t provide those things, but the tradespeople who do collect their own fees. As they should.”

 

“But so should you,” Mercer argued. “These gardens can’t pay for themselves. You must be doing rather well to be able to support something so extensive. My congratulations.”

 

“Yes, that is rather wonderful,” Mrs. Selkirk interjected somewhat enthusiastically.

 

Phin turned his head to see her regarding him with admiration.

 

Mrs. Selkirk went on, her face creased with mild concern. “However, I wonder if we might find a new topic, as all this talk of business isn’t particularly suitable for a young lady.”

 

Leah lowered her lids, but not before Phin caught her rolling her eyes. He had to stifle a laugh.

 

“Back to the follies, then,” Mercer said with a jovial smile. “What can you tell us of them, Radford?”

 

“Nothing today, I’m afraid, as I’m expected elsewhere.”

 

“Perhaps you could give us a tour tomorrow?” Mrs. Selkirk asked.

 

“I suppose I could.”

 

Mercer tapped his walking stick on the ground. “Capital idea. What time?”

 

Bloody hell. Phin hadn’t realized he’d come along.

 

“How about one o’clock?” Mrs. Selkirk proposed. “We could meet at the dais.”

 

Mercer tossed his walking stick and caught it squarely in his grip with a grin. “Excellent. I’ll be there.”

 

Phin wondered wildly if he could find an excuse not to come. Leah gave him a reassuring smile, and he relaxed slightly. She’d registered his agitation.

 

Huh.

 

Well, of course she did, you dolt. She’s known you almost your entire lives.

 

Perhaps he should tell her what was troubling him, to share his worries. She would understand. And she’d be horrified—as he’d been—by his father’s mismanagement. How lovely it would be to unburden himself to someone who knew him and would undoubtedly provide support and comfort.

 

No, there was no reason to reveal his private shame. He would weather the storm no matter the cost.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

 

 

 

 

At one o’clock the following day, Leah and the other ladies met Phin and Mr. Mercer near the dais in the gardens. Last night’s festivities had ended early when it had started to rain. Many, including the orchestra, had moved to the assembly rooms to continue dancing, but Genevieve had claimed exhaustion, so they’d all returned to their suite.

 

Once there, Genevieve had complained about the excessive amount of time they were spending outside and that she was tired of the breeze and the sun—of which there hadn’t been a very great deal. After being rained on tonight, she declared she was done with being out of doors. Then Leah had gently reminded her of their appointment with Phin the following day. Groaning, Genevieve had said she hoped it wouldn’t take too long and had then expressed a desire to change their plans to tea instead.

 

The abbreviated festivities of the previous night meant that Leah hadn’t been able to spend any time with Phin. She had, however, danced with Mr. Mercer, which had prompted Mrs. Selkirk to remind her that as a companion, it wasn’t her job to dance.

 

Indeed, she’d tried to say that Leah needn’t join them for the folly tour, but Genevieve had insisted she come along, insisting Leah would contribute to the tour since she’d grown up here. Mrs. Selkirk had ultimately relented. Truly, Leah’s employment with the Selkirks couldn’t end soon enough.

 

The first folly Phin led them to was a miniature Venetian temple with a trio of statues. One of the most ornate of the follies, it had also been Phin’s grandfather’s favorite. Leah realized she could likely give this tour as well as Phin would.

 

Phin stood in front of them as he gestured to the temple. “This was the third folly built in the gardens and, like all the others, was designed by my grandfather.”

 

“He designed them?” Mr. Mercer asked. “Extraordinary.”

 

“He hired builders who measured things out specifically, but all the follies in the gardens were built to my grandfather’s explicit description, or, in a few cases, they were made as copies of specific buildings. For instance, there is a miniature Parthenon and White Tower from the Tower of London, though it’s a very simple version.”

 

“I’d love to see those,” Genevieve said.

 

Phin smiled. “And we shall. Go on and take a look inside the temple. The statues are worth closer examination.”

 

As everyone filed inside to investigate, Leah lingered behind with Phin. She whispered, “I’m sorry you have to put up with Mr. Mercer. I had the sense you would have preferred he not come today. But you needn’t worry he’ll be competition for Genevieve. He is not here to wed.”

 

“That does not concern me.” Phin also kept his voice low. “I found him irritating with his questions and unsolicited advice about my ‘pleasure’ gardens.”