Romancing the Heiress(23)
Author: Darcy Burke
Leah had followed right behind her, and as soon as she stepped into the room, an overwhelming sense of loss and regret slammed into her. But it was quickly overtaken by equally strong feelings of joy and contentment. She mourned the happy days of her youth, but treasured them all the more.
Without thought, she walked to the very spot where Phin had kissed her on that long-ago day. She smiled to herself and turned from the wall toward the center of the room. Phin was there watching her, his gaze slightly hooded. Was he remembering that day too?
Genevieve stood at the window and waved down at her mother and Mrs. Dunhill. Then she yawned, lifting her hand to cover her mouth. “Goodness, pardon me,” she murmured.
“Come down, Genevieve,” Mrs. Selkirk called. “It’s time for us to return to the inn.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.” Genevieve retreated from the window and smiled at Phin. “Thank you for the tour today.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to see all the follies,” Mr. Mercer said, moving to where Genevieve had been standing. He stuck his head out the opening and looked about. When he pulled back in and turned around, he commented on the surprising view. “I can see why this is your favorite, Radford. And you, Miss Webster.”
A sneeze sounded from down below, and Mrs. Selkirk told them it was past time they were on their way. They all hurried back downstairs.
Mrs. Selkirk turned to the doorway with a slight frown. “Mrs. Dunhill has spent enough time in the out-of-doors and Genevieve needs to rest before this evening.”
“If you’ll pardon me,” Phin said. “I must return to Radford Grange. Can you make your way back to the main gate?”
“I’d be pleased to guide them,” Mr. Mercer said.
A bright smile lit Mrs. Selkirk’s previously dim expression. “Wonderful. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind giving Genevieve your arm since she is fatigued.”
Mr. Mercer complied, moving to escort Genevieve. Leah had to applaud Mrs. Selkirk’s neat manipulation. She’d managed for Genevieve to promenade with both gentlemen today. It was difficult to ascertain which one was preferred. Leah would try to find out.
Turning toward Phin, Leah thanked him softly. “It was wonderful to see the castle again.”
He looked at her with that same oddly intense gaze that he had in the tower. “It was indeed.”
A faint shiver danced across Leah’s shoulders before she hurried to catch up with the rest of her party. They walked for a few minutes before Mrs. Dunhill stopped short. “I’ve lost my handkerchief.”
Everyone else stopped too. Mrs. Selkirk pursed her lips. “You can’t have lost it.”
“I must have dropped it at the castle folly after I sneezed. I’ll have to go back and get it.” Mrs. Dunhill sneezed again, and Mrs. Selkirk patted her arm.
“No, you mustn’t. You and Genevieve need to return to the inn with haste. Miss Webster will go.” Mrs. Selkirk gave Leah an expectant stare. “Go on, then.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Leah practically skipped back the way they’d come. To be free of their presence for a short while was boon enough, but to have the chance to return to the castle without their company was truly wonderful.
She entered the courtyard and immediately saw the square of pale linen. Scooping up the handkerchief, she straightened just as she heard her name from the tower above.
“Leah?”
Lifting her gaze, she saw Phin poking his head out. “Now who’s the princess who needs rescuing?” she asked with a laugh. “I’d go slay the dragon, but I haven’t a sword.”
He grinned. “I still have that sword somewhere. Why did you come back?”
“Mrs. Dunhill dropped her handkerchief.”
Phin looked past her over the outer stone wall. “Are they with you?”
Leah shook her head, and Phin told her he was coming down. Her heart picked up speed as she waited. She stuffed the embroidered linen square into her pocket.
He bounded through the tower doorway and came to stand before her. “I’m glad you came back.”
“Why were you upstairs?” she asked, her breath growing shallow for some inexplicable reason. She’d stood with Phin like this more times than she could count. But somehow, this was different.
It was the way he’d looked at her before. And the way he was staring at her now, his hazel eyes drinking her in as if he couldn’t slake his thirst.
“I remembered something the other day,” he said. His voice seemed deeper. Husky. Almost sultry. What was happening to her? Was she losing her senses?
“What was that?” Now she sounded breathless.
“I kissed you here. In the tower. I’d completely forgotten until then. How does one forget that?”
“I don’t know. Because I didn’t.” She took a short, ragged breath. “Perhaps it’s because we pretended it didn’t happen.” They’d never mentioned it. The kiss may never have even occurred. Except it had.
“I think I was embarrassed,” he said with a sheepish smile. “I shouldn’t have done it.”
“I was very glad you did.” She couldn’t help staring at his mouth and wishing he would do it again.
And now he was looking at hers too. “Were you?” he asked softly, his body moving closer to hers so that they nearly touched. “I definitely shouldn’t do it now.”
Leah gently put her gloved hand against his chest and nearly swooned from the contact. To be this close to him… “I wish you would,” she whispered, her eyes meeting his.
“Well, then.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers.
Leah was instantly transported back in time when she’d felt that first jolt of awareness followed by the realization that she loved this boy. No, this man. He was solid and warm against her, large and muscular. Someone who could—and would—protect her.
As his mouth moved over hers, she experienced a surge of joy, of rightness that made her entire body expand. She’d hated her home and had been so happy to leave it, and she finally realized that when she thought of Marrywell, of her home, she thought of Phin. This, him, was home.
She slid her hand up to grasp his shoulder and pressed against him. He curled his arm around her waist, holding her close as his other hand caressed her back, his fingertips moving along her spine.