Romancing the Heiress(44)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

Phin hadn’t felt so breathless since he’d been knocked off his horse by a branch. “You really have changed your mind?”

 

“Yes. I only hope you haven’t.”

 

Joy surged inside him. “I already told you: never.” He set the letter on the chair he’d vacated and went to take her in his arms. But at the last moment, he dropped to his knee instead and took her hand. “Marry me, Leah. Be my wife and my partner—I loved the way you talked about us—and make me the happiest man who’s ever lived.”

 

Her lips curled into the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “I will.”

 

Phin stared at her, not quite believing his fortune. “Truly? You’re certain?” The words rasped from his mouth, fighting through the emotion that had suddenly clogged his throat.

 

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

 

He pressed a kiss to her glove, then rose and swept her into his arms, twirling her about as he’d done that first day he’d seen her when she’d returned to Marrywell.

 

Setting her down, he kissed her gleefully, overcome with happiness.

 

“I can’t believe you went to Black Sheep Farm.” He hated that she’d faced that alone. “I would have gone with you.”

 

“I needed to go. Honestly, I hadn’t considered asking you to come with me.” She sounded almost bemused.

 

Phin thought about what to say and decided the time for prevarication, for pretending some things didn’t exist or hadn’t happened, was over. “Have you ever considered that asking for help is sometimes necessary?”

 

Her face creased. “No. I’ve never wanted to be a burden. That’s all I ever was to my family. To my mother.” She sounded so small, so wounded.

 

Anguish made him clasp her hands tightly. “You have never been a burden to me. Nor will you ever be. No one has been a better friend and…coconspirator to me than you.”

 

She laughed softly. “Conspirator?”

 

He grinned. “It seems the right word.” He needed to reassure her and to make amends. “I should have been more than that to you. I should have been your champion. In fact, I’d like to march over to Black Sheep Farm right now and tell your mother exactly how things are going to be now that you will be my wife and once more a resident of Marrywell.” The anger he’d put aside came roaring back. He was nearly desperate to focus the emotion where it belonged—on her family.

 

“Oh, Phin.” She pulled her hand from his so she could caress his cheek. “You have always been my champion. There are things we both could have done better—perhaps—when we were young. But we were young. I think today has shown me that I can’t look back anymore, and neither can you.” Lowering her hand, she took his once more and gave him a squeeze. “Can you imagine, my father actually stood up for me today?”

 

Phin didn’t think there could be anything more surprising than the letter from the solicitor—or that she’d gone to Black Sheep Farm in the first place. “It’s long overdue. I’m so pleased for you, Leah. But will you promise me something?” At her nod, he went on, “Next time, please take me along. I want nothing more than to slay all the dragons for you.”

 

Her lips curled into the loveliest smile. “I promise. But do remember that sometimes a princess needs to save herself. Now that I’ve done it, I know I can. If that makes sense.”

 

It made perfect sense. “How did I get so lucky to find you?” he whispered, bringing his hands up to cup her face. “You are the finest of women.” He bent his head and touched his lips to hers.

 

She clasped his shoulders and kissed him back with a sweet sensuality that made his toes curl with anticipation. How quickly could she become his wife?

 

He pulled his head up to ask that very question, but she spoke first. “We have to go to London. Immediately.”

 

Because of the inheritance. “Of course. We’ll leave as soon as possible.”

 

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask Law if we can borrow his coach. I believe it’s quite fast since he only recently purchased it.”

 

“After losing his wheel last year, he was in want of a new one,” Phin said. “I’m sure it will convey us in the speediest fashion. Although, I am looking forward to the time with you because I have so many questions about how things went at Black Sheep Farm, such as how you managed to get this letter from your mother.”

 

Leah snorted. “I think the only reason Harriet gave it to me is because she wants a piece. She thinks I owe it to her.”

 

Phin nearly growled. “So she was her usual horrid self?”

 

“Yes, but as I said, Monty stood up for me. He explained why he sought out my real mother, that he was looking for the love Harriet denied him. He apologized for not protecting me.”

 

“Can you forgive him?” Phin frowned deeply. “I’m not sure you should.”

 

“I do already. Forgiveness is for me, and I’m ready to grant it. I want to get past it. I want to be here, in Marrywell, to build the life I always dreamed of. I’m still mulling what kind of relationship I want to have with him, if any.” She grimaced faintly. “I was thinking that I’d like to give Harriet some money so that she can leave Black Sheep Farm. Everyone would be happier.”

 

“Does that include you? I’ll fully endorse anything that brings you peace and joy.”

 

“Living in Marrywell without her at Black Sheep Farm would be a blessing, but becoming your wife is really all I want. All I need.”

 

“I can’t believe I didn’t realize that I want and need that too. I feel like an idiot,” he said sheepishly. “Particularly after Mercer’s comment that it’s obvious we’re meant to be together.”

 

“We were already so close—as friends. You just needed to see me in a…slightly different light.”

 

“I definitely do now.” He put his arms around her and drew her close so they were chest to chest. “I am rather desperate to carry you upstairs and demonstrate precisely how I view you.”

 

“Can you tell me instead? I think I need to go confront Mrs. Selkirk about stealing my inheritance.”

 

Phin’s jaw dropped once more. “Is that what happened?”

 

“That’s all I can think,” Leah said. “I wasn’t aware that Genevieve had a sizeable dowry until we arrived in Marrywell. Mrs. Selkirk has mentioned it several times, including to you as soon as she made your acquaintance, but didn’t over the past two months of the Season in London. Why wait until this week to publicize it? I believe Mrs. Selkirk only did that because she was so close to getting the money. One more week without my claiming it, and it would have been hers. She must have been keeping the solicitor from being able to find me. I’m more convinced of this than ever upon learning my father had been writing me letters, and I didn’t receive those either.”