Romancing the Heiress(2)
Author: Darcy Burke

 

Leah might have been able to wed someone from Marrywell, but her parents didn’t allow her to be courted. Rather, her mother didn’t. Her father simply went along with whatever his wife said. So Leah’s options had been to stay at home as a spinster—which hadn’t truly been an option at all—or find employment. She’d been lucky enough to do the latter.

 

Scooped up by Lady Norcott, the wife of a deceased baronet with no children of her own, as she’d passed through Marrywell during the summer seven years ago, Leah had found fortune as the woman’s companion. Leah had never imagined a life in London, where she’d be able to learn and experience things that she would never have been able to in Marrywell.

 

Belatedly, Leah realized she’d gone down quite a rabbit hole with her thoughts. “Pardon me, Mr. Parker, I was just reflecting on how long it’s been since I was here. No, I am not wed, nor am I suffering for it, as you can see. You look well. I imagine you are quite busy with preparations for the festival.”

 

“Yes, yes, as you well know! Introduce me to your…friends, and I’ll take you inside where Mrs. Parker will be delighted to see you.” He lowered his voice to add, “She’s got plenty of spice cakes.”

 

Leah had forgotten about Mrs. Parker’s spice cakes. How was that possible considering how many Leah had devoured in her youth?

 

“We are not Miss Webster’s friends,” Mrs. Selkirk said with a haughtiness that would likely perturb the easygoing innkeeper. “I am her employer. She is companion to my daughter.” Mrs. Selkirk gestured to Genevieve, who, with her dark hair and apple-kissed ivory cheeks, was prettier than Leah could ever hope to be. Her lips were an alluring pink bow, her eyes sparkling cerulean, and her nose a perfect button. “Allow me to present Miss Genevieve Selkirk,” Mrs. Selkirk continued. “She is likely to be one of the most sought-after potential brides at the festival.”

 

“Huh.” Mr. Parker sounded completely unimpressed, and Leah suppressed a smile. “Good for her, then. Welcome to Marrywell.”

 

“And this is my friend, Mrs. Dunhill,” Mrs. Selkirk added. “I do hope you’ve assigned us your best accommodations.”

 

Mr. Parker appeared nonplussed. “I, ah, well, yes. All our accommodations are excellent. I hope that you will find them so anyway. Come, let us move inside.”

 

Leah waited for the other ladies to precede her and took the opportunity to turn in a slow circle, her gaze moving over the inn, the stables, the High Street beyond the yard. She inhaled the familiar scent of spring grass which would always remind her of the botanical gardens, perhaps her favorite place in all the world. Because that was where she’d met Phin, and they belonged to his family—to him now.

 

Encompassing four hundred hectares, the gardens were located at the end of the High Street. Many of the matchmaking festival events would take place there—a risk in England in the spring. Leah had many memories of rain, cold, and wind.

 

It felt nice to be back. Nicer than she’d imagined. And she hadn’t even seen Phin yet.

 

Leah hastened into the inn and was immediately embraced by the low ceiling of the common room and the large, welcoming fire burning in the huge hearth on the opposite wall. She saw that Mrs. Parker was greeting the others, and then the innkeeper’s wife’s attention landed on Leah.

 

“Leah, my girl!” Mrs. Parker rushed forward and gave Leah an actual embrace.

 

Leah could do nothing but hug her back, nor did she want to do anything else. She closed her eyes briefly, thinking that Mrs. Parker smelled of mace and cinnamon, just like her spice cake that Leah had inexplicably forgotten.

 

Mrs. Parker stood back, her hands on Leah’s shoulders. “Let me look at you. My goodness, you’ve grown into a beauty.”

 

That wasn’t true, but Leah had always appreciated Mrs. Parker’s kindness. In her middle fifties, she was a few years older than Leah’s own mother and possessed a warm smile and cheery disposition that Leah’s mother did not.

 

“How are you, Mrs. Parker? It’s lovely to see you.”

 

“Same as always, my dear.” She took her hands from Leah. “Are you staying here, or will you be going to Black Sheep Farm?”

 

“Here.” Leah had no plan to visit her family’s farm. Named for its fertile land that had become decidedly less fertile over the past two hundred years and the ever-present sheep herd, Black Sheep Farm was where her parents and older brother, along with his wife and children, lived.

 

Mrs. Selkirk inserted herself into their conversation. “As my daughter’s companion, Miss Webster will sleep on the extra cot in Miss Selkirk’s room, which adjoins ours, or so I am expecting.”

 

“That’s precisely what we have for you,” Mr. Parker said kindly. “There is a cozy sitting room between your chambers. It should suit you nicely.”

 

Nodding with approval, Mrs. Selkirk glanced about the common room. “Marvelous.”

 

“I can show you there now, or perhaps you’d rather take tea here in the common room while your things are delivered to your suite.” Mrs. Parker leaned close to Leah. “I’ll make sure your bed is nice and cozy,” she whispered.

 

“Thank you,” Leah murmured, moved by the woman’s concern.

 

“We’ll take tea,” Mrs. Selkirk responded without soliciting input from anyone else. “That will allow our maid to unpack our belongings.” They’d brought Hardy, the maid who assisted both Mrs. Selkirk and her daughter. Leah found it slightly odd that an heiress like Genevieve didn’t have her own maid, but then, by all accounts, the Selkirks preferred to live somewhat frugally.

 

Leah desperately wanted to stretch her legs after the long coach ride. Or perhaps she was just eager to see the botanical gardens. Most accurately, she hoped to encounter a particular someone there, though it was unlikely. “Would you mind if I take a walk?” Leah asked. “The botanical gardens are spectacular.” She realized she should invite them. “You should all join me.” Hopefully, they wouldn’t, and since Genevieve generally disliked being outside, that was more than a distinct possibility.

 

All three women looked at her as if she’d suggested they walk back to London. As expected, Mrs. Selkirk replied for everyone. “We prefer to take our refreshment, but you may go for a short walk.” She gave Leah a real smile, which was unusual, and which spoke the truth—Mrs. Selkirk was delighted to be rid of Leah if even for a brief time.

 

“Thank you. I’ll be back before too long.”

 

Before Leah turned back toward the door, Mrs. Parker promised to have a few spice cakes waiting in her room.