The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,14

with others at this hour of the day. I am not at all amiable until at least ten o’clock, and not fully amiable until the afternoon.” I put on a scowl, hoping it would frighten or jar him at least a little.

His smile only grew, and those blasted dimples appeared again. “I see. You did seem quite amiable yesterday afternoon when you spilled the tea tray.” One of his dark eyebrows arched, and a teasing glint entered his eyes. “You helped me escape an unwelcome gathering in the drawing room.”

“Unwelcome?” I cursed my tongue for questioning him. It would only prolong this conversation that should not have even been occurring.

He studied my face for a long moment before letting out a quiet sigh. “It is no matter. Let it be sufficient that I am grateful for your well-timed interference.” Another deep chuckle came from him, and I scolded myself for allowing the flutter it caused in my stomach. Why should a man like Mr. Hill need Mrs. Ollerton to help him find a match? He could have had his pick of any young lady, but instead he was resigned to picking between five. Well, four, since I was not to be included.

“How can you be grateful? I soiled your clothing and spilled tea on your shoes…” my voice trailed off. I did not care to relive that dreadful experience.

His lips curled into a playful grin. “I was most grateful to see your blush as a result, and I must say I find it quite becoming.”

As much as I willed them not to, my cheeks burst into flames at his words, burning hot at the centers. “It is not charming,” I blurted as fear caught up to me. What was I saying? Trying to convince him of my shortcomings seemed the only way to erase that smile on his face. “I daresay I look very much like a lobster.”

Mr. Hill chuckled. “You must allow me to contradict you, Miss Sedgwick. I have never seen such a pretty lobster.”

Where were those robins? If only they could each take hold of one of my sleeves and fly me up into the air where Mr. Hill could not see the increasing dismay and color on my face. Completely bereft of a response, I did what I could to drive my claim that I was not amiable in the morning: I shot him my most cutting glare before turning on my heel and marching toward the doors I had escaped from that morning. My heart pounded as I hurried away.

Mr. Hill’s boots scuffed distantly over the path behind me, but I didn’t turn around, desperate as I was to escape the sound of his chuckling.

“Mrs. Ollerton has planned a trip into Bibury this afternoon,” he called, stopping me. “I look forward to finding you in your most amiable state.”

I bit my lip, debating whether or not to turn around. Deciding it would be better to pretend I had not heard him, I hurried inside the doors.

I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling the quick beating of my heart against my palm. Willing myself to relax was proving a difficult task. Did Mr. Hill flirt so shamelessly with all the ladies here? I could easily envision the tall, blonde woman, Miss Downsfield, flirting back and enjoying every moment of it. Was Mr. Hill simply testing me, to see if I were just as eager to win his attention as Miss Downsfield? He seemed to delight in the attention.

Well, he would be getting none of it from me.

I took a deep breath, hastening back to my room before Mrs. Ollerton could find me.

Or Mr. Hill, for that matter.

Chapter 5

I walked into the village beside Miss Coppins, who, much like me, seemed to prefer keeping a distance between herself and the most eager ladies who flocked around Mr. Hill. Miss Downsfield had been the one to claim his arm, and the other two ladies seemed fit to send her sprawling across the hills if given the chance. They trailed behind, parasols and baskets in hand.

Mrs. Ollerton had mentioned at breakfast that there were a number of poor families surrounding Bibury, and the ladies had been quick to offer their goodwill toward them. They had busied themselves organizing baskets of food and now walked into town with the baskets hooked proudly on their elbows.

“I am not accustomed to so much walking,” Miss Coppins said in a nervous voice. I glanced toward her to find a deep crease in