Romancing the Heiress(43)
Author: Darcy Burke

“It is you,” Barnabas said. “I told Jacob he had to be mistaken, that you would never come here.” He seemed incredulous, not irritated.

 

“I’m on my way out.” She ought to forgive her brother too, for he’d only sided with Harriet in their youth because it was safest for him. She couldn’t blame him for that. Forgiveness, though, would need to wait for another day.

 

“You can’t leave already,” Jacob protested.

 

“I will see you again soon.” She ruffled his hair with a smile. “Promise. You’ll need to introduce me to your brother and sister.”

 

He grinned. “I will!”

 

Leah brushed past them and hurried toward the sheep pasture. That was the quickest way to Phin’s house. Would her well-worn path still be there? To the gate leading to the botanical gardens, then past the oak grove and the castle folly until she finally reached the gate to Radford Grange. If she hurried, she would be there in ten minutes.

 

She prayed she wasn’t too late.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 16

 

 

 

 

 

Phin eyed the whisky decanter on the cabinet in the corner of Radford Grange’s drawing room. He was pouring a full tumbler as soon as Mercer left.

 

The odious businessman sat opposite him, his expression giddy after being summoned here so that Phin could accept his proposal. The worst part was that it was generous. Phin couldn’t complain that he was being fleeced.

 

“I’m so pleased you’ve made this decision, Radford.” Mercer preened, actually smoothing his hand down his expensive waistcoat. “You’ll find it’s the right one—for you and Marrywell.”

 

The people of Marrywell were going to be upset, but what could Phin do? He was without options, and he’d rather the gardens be saved than fall into ruin.

 

“Shall we shake hands to seal our agreement?” Mercer asked, standing from the settee. “Until the formal documents are drawn up. I’ll have my solicitor take care of that as soon as I return to London, and then I’ll come back here with him to execute the documents and finalize the sale.”

 

Phin didn’t want to shake the man’s hand, but he was a gentleman. He stood and reached for Mercer’s outstretched hand.

 

“Stop!”

 

Swinging his head toward the doorway, he was shocked to see Leah standing there, her cheeks flushed and several strands of blonde hair grazing her cheeks from beneath her bonnet.

 

“Good afternoon, Miss Webster,” Mercer said. He glanced toward the clock on the mantel. “It is after noon, isn’t it?”

 

Phin ignored the man. He walked toward Leah, amazed that she was even there, let alone the fact that she looked as though she’d run here all the way from the inn. “What are you doing here?”

 

“You can’t sell him the gardens.”

 

He didn’t want to have this argument again. “I told you there’s no other way. Please don’t try to stop me. It’s all but done.”

 

She shook her head vehemently, sending the blonde strands flying. “You don’t have to sell the gardens. I have money. A great deal of money.”

 

Phin stared at her. Had she gone daft? Where would she have got a pile of coin since last night? “How is that possible?”

 

Amazingly, she smiled. As widely as he’d ever seen her do—this was the Leah he’d always known, the girl capable of giving and receiving incomparable joy. “You need an heiress, don’t you? Well, I’m an heiress.” She pulled a piece of parchment from her reticule and thrust it at him.

 

Phin hastily read the document, his jaw dropping with each line until he was gaping when he reached the end. “Is this true?”

 

“I believe so. But we’ll need to travel to London immediately. I only have a week to claim the inheritance.”

 

Good God. Phin nearly stumbled backward. It was the answer to everything. He wouldn’t have to sell the gardens or leave Marrywell. He blinked at Leah. “I don’t need to sell the gardens?”

 

“I’d prefer you didn’t. They are our children’s legacy. At least, I hope they will be.”

 

Phin’s knees turned completely to water. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? Hell, there was so much to say, but he needed to get rid of Mercer. Somehow, Phin turned to face the man. “It seems I am no longer in need of selling the botanical gardens. I do apologize for the inconvenience.”

 

Mercer scowled. “I’d still buy them. You don’t see the full potential.”

 

“Actually, we do,” Leah said. “And it will be up to us to decide how best to implement the ideas that you so graciously suggested to us.”

 

“Please excuse us, Mercer,” Phin said, trying to sound pleasant and businesslike and probably failing in his excitement and anticipation. “Let me show you out.” It would take far too long to send for Chap.

 

“I can find my way,” Mercer said. He moved toward the door, but then turned to look at both Phin and Leah. “I’m not sure what’s going on here, but it seems a union may be in the offing. I hope so. It’s clear to nearly everyone that you make a fine couple.”

 

Was it? How had it been so bloody unclear to Phin, then? He wanted to groan, but clenched his jaw instead.

 

Mercer bowed to Leah. “It has been a delight getting to know you. I do hope we’ll see each other in London if you ever find yourselves there.” Finally, he left.

 

Phin reread the last part of the letter again. “This is really true?”

 

She came toward him, nodding. “Apparently. I’m just as shocked as you.”

 

“Did this just arrive?”

 

“Actually, the solicitor sent it to Black Sheep Farm last autumn.”

 

He goggled at her. “Bloody hell. Your parents have had this since then and never told you?”

 

“My mother received it. My father, if he’s to be believed, and I do actually believe him, just learned of it today along with me.”

 

“Your mother…” Phin clenched his jaw and pushed aside his anger. “Wait, how did you get it? Were you…there? At Black Sheep Farm?”

 

Leah nodded. “I went there earlier.” She hesitated the barest moment. “I decided I needed to put the past behind me. How else could I come back here to live and marry you?”