Romancing the Heiress(39)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

He gave her a sad smile. “I am out of options.”

 

“There has to be another way.” Enthusiasm lit her gaze. “What about Sadie and Law? He has plenty of money and loves Marrywell. I’d wager you could convince him to become a patron or something.”

 

Now Phin shook his head. “I will not go begging for money. I barely know Lawford.”

 

“But you know Sadie. She would love to help you. She knows what the gardens mean to you and Marrywell—she loves them too.”

 

“I can’t do it. Just as you can’t do what I’m asking. My solution will work fine. The gardens will survive—and thrive—and we can be together away from Marrywell.” He wasn’t going to move off this point. He’d had the chance to rescue her once—truly rescue her—and he hadn’t. “I swear in this moment to do everything in my power to protect you and guard you from pain. If that means leaving Marrywell, I’ll do it.”

 

She stared at him. “That’s not a sacrifice I want you to make.”

 

“It’s not for you to decide. Just say you’ll marry me. Please. Either way, I’m selling the gardens.”

 

Her head tipped down. She pulled on her gloves. When she looked back up at him, her features were blank. The stoic companion was back.

 

“I need to return to the inn. I told Mrs. Selkirk I was visiting with Sadie and would meet them back there.”

 

“I’ll drive you.” Walking would take her far too long, and it was already late. He moved to don the rest of his clothing.

 

“Thank you.” She avoided looking at him as she smoothed her hair and did her best to tidy it without a mirror.

 

When he was dressed, he asked, “You’re not going to change your mind, are you?”

 

“No. I can’t be here, and I will never be able to live with making you leave. You can tell me it’s your decision, but I will always worry that you regret it. I’d regret it enough for both of us.”

 

Phin began to wonder if she was the one who couldn’t leave Marrywell, if the anguish she felt was the fact that she felt she had to leave. Tonight was not the time to ask her.

 

“Come, let’s get you back to the inn.” He went to open the door for her.

 

She walked toward him, pausing briefly at his side. “This will always be the most wonderful, most magical night of my life. Thank you, Phin.”

 

For him, it would either be a joyous beginning or a devastating end.

 

 

 

 

 

Leah had barely closed her eyes, let alone slept. She’d tossed and turned on her narrow cot, her mind searching for a way to prevent Phin from selling the gardens. She’d considered going to Sadie and Law without him, but he would be upset with her and rightfully so. She couldn’t break his trust.

 

What if they did what Mercer suggested and started charging admission for events? Marywellers would understand. Some would grumble, but if they saw improvements to the gardens over time, they would surely agree that it was worth the modest expense, especially if Phin explained how expensive it was to maintain the gardens. He wouldn’t want to do that, but Leah was confident they could find a way to do so that would make him comfortable.

 

But would he agree to that plan? Perhaps, if it meant she would stay and marry him. Was she actually considering that?

 

Genevieve came back into their bedchamber, where Leah had opted to break her fast alone with just a cup of tea and a slice of toast, using the writing desk as her table. It was not unusual for her to take some meals away from the Selkirks. Leah believed it was a reprieve they all enjoyed—at least she and Mrs. Selkirk, anyway.

 

“You do not look your brightest this morning,” Genevieve said.

 

“Then perhaps Miss Webster should stay in her room or go downstairs when your callers arrive?” Mrs. Selkirk said loudly from the sitting room.

 

Leah would gladly take an even longer respite from her duties. “As you wish,” she called toward the open doorway.

 

Mrs. Selkirk had invited them all, save Phin since Genevieve had taken him out of the running, to call this morning. She and Genevieve would make the final decision based on these meetings, though Leah was confident it would be largely Mrs. Selkirk’s choice. The woman was eager to see what gifts they would bring, and Leah feared that was going to be a significant factor in who ultimately won Genevieve’s hand.

 

Closing the door, Genevieve moved to perch on the chair situated near the fireplace. “Did you not sleep well?” She cast a look at Leah’s narrow bed and wrinkled her nose. “I can’t imagine that cot is very comfortable.”

 

“It is, actually.” Leah felt the need to defend Mrs. Parker’s work. She’d gone to extra trouble to provide a cozy sleeping arrangement.

 

“Oh.” Genevieve’s forehead creased into gentle pleats. “Is something bothering you, then? You seemed preoccupied last night when you returned to the inn.”

 

Leah could end this conversation now, but the thoughts in her head tumbled out. “As the festival is nearing its end, I find myself feeling a little sad about leaving Marrywell again.”

 

“I can only imagine. Perhaps after I wed, you’ll return?” Genevieve’s eyes rounded briefly before she gave Leah an apologetic nod. “Of course not, since you are not close with your family. Besides, I imagine you’ll want to find another position in London since you seem to like it there.”

 

London had, in many ways, become Leah’s home. But if Phin felt like home, could that be true? Perhaps London had felt like home because of her relationship with Lady Norcott. Was there a way Marrywell could feel like home again?

 

It would if you married Phin.

 

Except Genevieve had aptly pointed out Leah’s dilemma: how could she return here given her estrangement from her family? Unless Leah decided that didn’t matter, that she could move past it. Why should her family get to dictate Leah’s future? They’d already made a great deal of her past unbearable.

 

Perhaps it was time to break free of that anguish and pain. As awful as it would be to see her mother, Leah wondered if there was a small chance that doing so would help in the end.

 

There was only one way to find out. Was she strong enough to endure the confrontation?

 

She would have to be if she truly wanted to be free.

 

Leah stood, determined to face her past. A wave of unease swept through her, turning her stomach and lightening her head. “I shall go downstairs while your visitors call.” She fetched her bonnet and gloves from the dresser.