The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,15
her brow. She pushed a damp blonde curl from her forehead. “I feel as though my heart might burst at any moment.”
I touched her arm, confused by her sudden alarm. “Do you need to rest? I will wait with you.”
She gave a quiet laugh, shaking her head in quick, small twitches. “No, Miss Sedgwick, you are too kind. I say that simply because my uncle met such a fate. He was not accustomed to exercise of any sort, and when he began, he suffered a failing of his heart much like I just described.” Her eyes rounded as she looked at me, two large, hazel spheres. “That is why I am quite resolved never to begin exercising. If I do, I should likely have the same thing occur to my heart.”
I gave a slow nod, steadying her arm as her breathing became faster. “Please accept my condolences for your uncle,” I said. “But…I do not think you are in danger.”
Miss Coppins cast me a hesitant glance. “We might take our pace down to a leisurely stroll. The other ladies are walking quite quickly, even Mrs. Ollerton. I worry over her, especially.” Her voice squeaked. “One as aged as she has a much greater chance of ailment.”
I watched Mrs. Ollerton as she led the group forward, a satisfied smile on her face as she examined Miss Downsfield on Mr. Hill’s arm. She was not as old as Miss Coppins seemed to believe. “Indeed,” I said, “but she seems quite spry.”
“My uncle seemed spry.”
I met Miss Coppins’s panicked eyes quickly before looking away. “Oh. Well…let us pray Mrs. Ollerton survives our trip to Bibury.”
Miss Coppins gave a solemn nod, casting her gaze heavenward for a long moment—long enough for me to realize she was indeed praying at that very moment. A smile lifted her serious expression moments later, and she took a deep breath. “Spring air is best for the constitution, you know, aside from seaside air.”
“I did not know that.”
“It is a very important fact to know, so I am glad to have enlightened you.”
Despite her oddities, Miss Coppins was still my favorite of the ladies I had met. She did not seem quite as competitive, and had even spared me a smile, which was far more than the other women had done. We walked in silence for several minutes before I noticed a sly smile on Miss Coppins’s face. “Do you know what else may cause my heart to burst?”
I shook my head, examining her for any sign that she was fatigued by the walk. Her gaze was situated straight ahead, and I guessed her words before she spoke them. “Mr. Frederick Hill. He is the most handsome man I have ever met. Do you agree? Of course, I have no expectation that he will choose me.” She laughed. “Certainly not with a lady like Miss Downsfield nearby. But I will not complain to be in his company for the next month.”
I had been doing all I could not to think of Mr. Hill at all, especially after our early-morning interaction. “I agree with you, Miss Coppins, on the fact that he is handsome. But that is not enough to recommend a man in my opinion. I do not know enough of Mr. Hill yet to entertain any thoughts of ever becoming his wife. I don’t consider it a possibility. I too think he will choose Miss Downsfield.”
Miss Coppins stared at me as if I were mad. “A gentleman with such a generous income who is as handsome as Mr. Hill is more rare than a flower sprouting out of a pile of snow.” She let out a giggle, covering her mouth with her glove. “Any woman would be a fool not to hope to marry him.”
“Then I must be a fool.” I smiled. The more ladies who knew that I was not eager to connect myself with the gentleman, the better. Then they might stop glaring at me and allow me to be their friend.
“Then why did you come?” Miss Coppins’s brow scrunched, her pale eyebrows disappearing in the shade of her bonnet.
“My parents forced me to.” I shrugged, searching for something to say that would suit Sophia’s situation. “I have come only for an adventure. My parents would be far too happy if I happened to make a match while I am here, so I have every intention of avoiding Mr. Hill as much as I am able.”
Miss Coppins smiled, brushing aside her hair again. She seemed to