She Loved a Poor Gardener—Then Discovered He Was the Heir to a Fortune
Chapter 4
Thomas had not gone far.
He had returned to the city.
There, he entered a grand townhouse through a private door.
A servant bowed.
“Your Grace.”
Thomas stopped.
“Don’t call me that.”
The servant lowered his eyes.
“You cannot hide forever, sir.”
Thomas removed his hat.
“I can try.”
The servant handed him a sealed letter.
Thomas opened it.
Only four words were written inside:
Your uncle knows everything.
Thomas closed his eyes.
His uncle, Lord William Reed, had been searching for him for years.
Thomas had escaped the family estate at seventeen after discovering that his uncle intended to seize control of the Reed fortune.
His father had died unexpectedly.
His mother was already gone.
The family lawyers declared Thomas too young to inherit.
William became trustee.
But Thomas discovered something was wrong.
Money disappeared.
Land was sold.
Ships were transferred.
And men loyal to William began following him.
Thomas had fled.
He changed his name.
He worked with his hands.
He learned gardening.
For years, he had lived without the fortune that legally belonged to him.
Then Clara entered his life.
And suddenly, hiding became harder.
Because William had learned where he was.
Thomas returned to Blackwood Manor that evening.
Clara was waiting.
She stood beneath the old oak tree.
“You left.”
“I had to.”
“You could have told me.”
“I was protecting you.”
“From what?”
He looked at her.
“My family.”
Clara crossed her arms.
“Your family?”
Thomas remained silent.
“Thomas, I found your ring.”
His expression tightened.
“You weren’t supposed to.”
“I know.”
She stepped closer.
“Who are you?”
He looked away.
Then finally answered.
“Thomas Reed.”
She waited.
Nothing else.
“That’s it?”
“No.”
He breathed slowly.
“My father owned the Reed Trading Company.”
Clara’s eyes widened.
Everyone in the region knew that name.
The Reed family owned ships, warehouses, plantations, and trading rights stretching across several ports.
Thomas continued.
“I was the heir.”
“Were?”
“I still am.”
Clara stared at him.
“But you’re a gardener.”
“I am.”
“And the Reed fortune?”
“Locked in a trust controlled by my uncle.”
She struggled to understand.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I wanted one person to know me before knowing what I owned.”
Clara looked at him.
“And now?”
Thomas’s voice broke slightly.
“Now I’m afraid you’ll look at me differently.”
She stepped closer.
“I already do.”
He swallowed.
“How?”
“Like an idiot.”
He laughed despite himself.
Then Clara reached for his hand.
“I loved the gardener.”
She squeezed his fingers.
“I haven’t met the heir yet.”
