Romancing the Heiress(40)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

Genevieve blinked at her. “Why do you need those accessories if you’re only going downstairs?”

 

Caught. “I may decide to stroll outside for a spell.”

 

“I won’t tell,” Genevieve whispered conspiratorially. “Hide them behind you while you walk through the sitting room, and I’ll distract Mother.” Her eyes glowed with merriment.

 

Sometimes, Leah glimpsed the charm and humor that Mrs. Selkirk had mostly driven out of her daughter. “You should indulge in mischief more often.”

 

Leah managed to leave the suite without so much as a glance from Mrs. Selkirk. Donning her bonnet and gloves, she made her way downstairs filled with an odd, unsettling mix of anticipation and dread.

 

The walk to Black Sheep Farm took a quarter hour, and at several points along the way, Leah contemplated abandoning her errand. But each time, she reminded herself that she was courageous and bold—or so others thought. It didn’t matter. She needed to do this.

 

As she neared her former residence, her stomach tied itself in knots, and her breathing grew rapid, as if she’d run at top speed. It reminded her of the many times she’d done just that, rushing home after being gone too long with Phin or Sadie.

 

The thatch-roofed two-story house loomed like a specter before her. She paused, her gaze settling on the window that had been her chamber—little more than a narrow closet, really. Her sisters had shared the room next to her, a large space with two windows and a wide bed that would have fit at least three of Leah’s, if not four. And they’d had a fireplace, of course, while Leah had not. She’d been given an extra threadbare blanket to keep her warm in the winter. Leah had slept in an additional layer of clothing as well.

 

The sound of sheep bleating almost made her smile. They’d been her favorite creatures here. Were any of her favorites still there? She doubted she’d get a chance to find out.

 

Taking a deep, wobbly breath, she forced her feet forward and opened the gate. A black dog she didn’t recognize raced toward her and barked happily.

 

“Well, aren’t you a happy fellow?” she asked.

 

A child walked from the side of the house, apparently following the dog. “Hal, come back!”

 

A mop of dark blond hair partially obscured the boy’s eyes. He looked up at Leah. “Who are you? You shouldn’t pet my dog.”

 

This had to be her nephew, who hadn’t been born until just after she’d left. “You must be Barney.” He’d been named after his father, or that had been the plan before she’d escaped Marrywell.

 

The boy frowned at her. “My name is Jacob. I’m going to get my father.”

 

“You don’t have to. I’m your Aunt Leah.”

 

His eyes widened with recognition. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to meet you.”

 

This didn’t surprise Leah, but she wondered what the boy had been told about her. Was he predisposed to find her lacking?

 

“You’ve heard of me, then?”

 

“Just from my parents and once in a while from Grandpapa.”

 

“But never from your grandmother?”

 

Jacob shook his head. “We’re not allowed to talk about you around her.”

 

That sounded about right. “Well, I’m here for a short visit. I wonder, do you have siblings?”

 

“A younger brother and a younger sister, but she’s barely walking. And she can’t really talk. She’s very boring. They’re both taking naps.”

 

Leah stifled a smile. “What about this handsome pup? Hal, is it? Is he yours?”

 

“Yes, but I have to share him with Isaac. That’s my brother. But I don’t have to share with Abby. She’s too little.”

 

That had to be his sister. Leah couldn’t believe she hadn’t even known those children existed. But then she didn’t correspond with anyone here and only exchanged the most benign, simple letters with her sisters once a year at Christmas. They’d never mentioned Barnabas’s children, just their own, not that Rebecca had any.

 

“I am delighted to meet you, Jacob.” She’d thought she was so much happier without her family, but seeing this boy, she wished things were different. “Would you mind escorting me inside and letting your father and grandparents know I’m here?”

 

“Do you really want to see Grandmother?” he whispered, his blue eyes darting toward the house. “I try not to bother her.”

 

That made perfect sense. Leah had no wish to inflict discomfort—or worse—on the boy. Leah was suddenly filled with a terrible rage. If she so much as thought of hurting this precious child, Leah would do whatever it took to get him away from her. “Just fetch your father for me.”

 

“He’s with the milk cows. But I can escort you inside first.” He straightened and offered Leah his arm.

 

“Such a gentleman,” she said with a smile, putting her hand on his arm. “I’m so glad to have met you, Jacob.” He’d somehow managed to ease her nerves—a truly remarkable feat.

 

Jacob took her to the door and opened it, but he didn’t go inside.

 

She thanked him, and he dashed off the way he’d come, Hal running at his heels. Tentatively, Leah stepped over the threshold, her body coiling with tension as soon as the familiar smell of her mother’s cooking assaulted her. There would likely be a stew boiling, as there’d been most days.

 

The stairs led up straight from the entry hall, with the dining room to the left and the reception room to the right. Leah hesitated. They’d never been allowed in that room. It was to be kept pristine, ordered and clean, in the event they had to receive visitors. The vicar was the only person who dared venture to Black Sheep Farm. Her mother’s lack of hospitality was well known, as was her general disagreeable demeanor.

 

“Blast, who left the door open? I can feel the draft all the way in the kitchen!” Her mother’s booming voice carried through the house, and Leah started toward the door, which was, indeed, ajar. How had she forgotten to close it? There would be no dinner and perhaps not even breakfast.

 

No, that wasn’t her life anymore. Leah closed the door and tried not to shake as her mother, Harriet Webster, came down the corridor to the left of the stairs. The woman stopped abruptly, her gaze sweeping over Leah and her face pinching. The lines around her mouth had grown more pronounced. And her hair was almost completely gray. It also seemed thinner. She seemed thinner too, but she’d always been reedy.