She Loved a Poor Gardener—Then Discovered He Was the Heir to a Fortune
Chapter 5
Their secret lasted less than a week.
Edward discovered it.
He confronted Clara outside the manor.
“You knew?”
She didn’t answer.
Edward’s face darkened.
“Thomas Reed.”
Clara looked at him.
“Yes.”
“The missing heir.”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand what that means?”
“That he’s Thomas.”
Edward laughed bitterly.
“It means he’s worth more than everyone in this county combined.”
Clara frowned.
“That doesn’t change anything.”
“It changes everything.”
“No.”
Edward stepped closer.
“You think he chose you because he loves you?”
“Why else?”
“Because you’re connected to Blackwood Manor.”
Clara stared at him.
Edward lowered his voice.
“Your father has influence. Your marriage could give him allies.”
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I?”
Clara walked away.
But his words followed her.
That evening, Thomas found her sitting alone.
“What happened?”
“Edward.”
Thomas understood immediately.
“He knows.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll leave.”
Clara looked up.
“No.”
“I should.”
“No.”
“Clara—”
“I don’t care how much money you have.”
Thomas smiled sadly.
“That’s what everyone says before money becomes real.”
She stood.
“Then test me.”
He looked at her.
“How?”
“Give me a choice.”
He was silent.
She continued:
“If you were truly poor, I would still choose you.”
Thomas reached for her.
She took his hand.
“I don’t love your fortune.”
“I know.”
“I love the man who repaired a widow’s roof.”
His eyes filled with emotion.
“I love the man who gave away his dinner.”
She smiled.
“And I love the foolish gardener who thinks a woman can be frightened away by a family name.”
Thomas laughed.
Then he kissed her.
It was gentle.
Brief.
But it changed everything.
They were no longer pretending.
Yet the next morning, a messenger arrived.
Thomas’s uncle had summoned him.
The family council would meet in three days.
If Thomas failed to appear, William would petition the Crown to declare him legally absent and retain control of the estate permanently.
Thomas read the letter twice.
Clara watched him.
“You have to go.”
“I know.”
“Then go.”
He looked at her.
“Will you wait?”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
But neither knew what waited for Thomas inside the Reed estate.
