The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,25

be unmatched, swaying with the music. When my last note rang through the air, I stood in one swift motion, offering a curtsy with a modest smile.

I quickly searched for Mr. Hill’s gaze, but I couldn’t find it. His head was tipped down and turned away, toward the wall. A sense of triumph nearly lifted me to my toes.

I had frightened him. He could not even look at me.

The other ladies, however, did not seem afraid to. I took in their expressions of disdain and shock, pretending not to notice. I focused instead on Mr. Hill’s perfect reaction. With his head tipped down, I couldn’t see any of his features. Was he grimacing in disgust? I frowned as I noticed his shoulders shaking slightly.

Had I brought him to agonized tears?

I had known I lacked talent, but not enough to bring a grown man such distress. It was even better than I had hoped.

“Thank you, Miss Sedgwick,” Mrs. Ollerton said finally, her voice hollow. “That was…certainly a grand finale. Please do have a seat.”

On my way back to my chair, I studied Mr. Hill again. When I was just a few feet away, he sat up straighter, and I could finally see his expression.

He was laughing.

And he seemed to have been laughing for a prolonged moment, as his eyes brimmed with tears and his smile was broad and filled with amusement.

My heart sank.

“That was brilliant,” he whispered as I took my seat. “I didn’t think you would do it.” The twinkle of mirth in his eyes transformed as he stared at me. It was unfamiliar and strange, and it took me a long moment to realize it was admiration. My stomach twisted as he leaned closer, hiding his smile from the rest of the room. “You have certainly shocked Mrs. Ollerton.”

I took a deep breath to calm my sudden nerves, glancing up at the woman. She smoothed her hands over her skirts repeatedly, a stern wrinkle in her brow. She looked as if she were on the verge of storming out of the drawing room to compose herself. I almost laughed but held it inside. I would have to feign innocence.

“Why didn’t you think I would sing?” I furrowed my brow in confusion to appear more convincing. “I do try to showcase my talents as often as I am able. I am most grateful that you encouraged me to perform.”

He shook his head, his smile only growing. I watched that smile, a deep flutter erupting in my stomach. It took all my energy not to smile myself. How could the expression be so contagious? I had just humiliated myself in order to secure his dismay but had failed. I should not have any reason to smile.

“The other guests appear to be envious of your accomplishments,” he whispered.

“How could they be envious of my singing?” I glanced across the room, where all the ladies watched with narrowed eyes, not even listening to Mrs. Ollerton’s explanation of the plans for the next day. I could hardly listen either, not with Mr. Hill whispering so close to my ear.

“It is not your singing they are envious of.” His voice grew even more quiet. “I suppose they are most envious that I asked you to sing at all...that you have accomplished the task they all came here to achieve.”

My heart pounded hard against my chest. “What task is that?”

His breath brushed against my cheek as he spoke, the smile in his voice sending a thrill through my chest. “To capture my undivided attention.”

Had I heard him correctly? I couldn’t breathe as I dared a glance at his eyes. The teasing glint still lingered there, giving me hope that perhaps he was not serious. How had I captured his undivided attention? Yes, I had certainly drawn attention to myself tonight, but I had intended for it to be negative attention. How could Mr. Hill find a single thing I had done intriguing? I had made a fool of myself again and again.

Darting my gaze around the room, I slumped in relief. No one seemed to have overheard his words. But Mr. Hill still watched me, as if waiting for my reply.

I felt suddenly shy, fear climbing up my spine at an alarming rate. “That—that was not my intention, sir.” My words were sharper than I intended.

His brow furrowed, and confusion flooded his features. “Then why did you come here?”

“I—” My voice stopped. How could I explain it? Mr. Hill knew that all of us had come