The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,31

rising inside me as he walked toward her, offering his compliments.

With his back turned, I moved toward one of the targets, picking up the bow. It looked slightly different from the one I had used years before, but I remembered how to hold it at least. The target hadn’t seemed so distant before, but now that I held the bow, it seemed very small and very far from where I stood. I really did need help and asking Mr. Hill in a flirtatious way would accomplish more than one of my goals.

“Mr. Hill?” I made my voice loud and shrill like Miss Downsfield’s.

He turned toward me immediately, one eyebrow raised.

“It seems I have forgotten how to shoot.” I laughed, pausing to smooth the curls on my brow. “I wondered if you might teach me?” My gaze flickered to Miss Taplow’s flirtatious smile as she said something unintelligible to Mr. Hill. I replicated that smile, beckoning him closer. He seemed reluctant to leave Miss Taplow’s side, and I counted that as a victory. Had my plan begun working already? Jessie would be so proud. My smile was not even entirely fake by the time Mr. Hill reached me. As exhausting as this act was, at least it was not all for nothing.

In the sunlight, Mr. Hill’s eyes appeared even more blue. It took a great deal of focus to turn my attention back to the target. Should I have been looking in his eyes? Eye contact was essential to flirting, at least in my limited experience, but I found speaking difficult with his penetrating gaze fixed on mine. I felt as if he could see me for who I truly was: a maid. A maid pretending to be a confident, flirtatious lady. If he looked closely enough, he would see that this was all an act, and that I found him far more attractive than I should have.

“When was the last time you shot a bow, Miss Sedgwick?” Mr. Hill gave his usual half-smile.

“Oh, it has been several years.” I pursed my lips into a coy grin. “I haven’t the slightest idea of what to do.” I held out the bow, shrugging one shoulder with a sigh. “Will you please help me?” My voice was sugary and sweet, and I almost cringed.

The other ladies still watched, but Mr. Hill’s whisper must have been carried on the breeze that rifled through my curls, reaching my right ear only. “I will help you if you stop with your charade.”

My heart leaped, then picked up speed. I glanced up at him, meeting his deep blue eyes and the mischief that shone in them. “My charade?” I kept my voice even and calm, though I could hardly breathe. Surely he didn’t mean my charade of pretending to be Sophia. How could he have known? He must have meant the drastic changes in my behavior. All I could do was feign confusion.

“Yes, your charade.” He turned toward the target. “I have never seen such a drastic change in a woman simply because she slept well the night before.” He raised an eyebrow at me.

To combat the suspicion on his face, I laughed. “Oh, Mr. Hill, you are too droll. I assure you, I feel quite refreshed. I was not truly myself until today. What you saw in me before can be the only thing worthy of being called a charade.” At the sound of my laughter, all the ladies, even the focused Miss Taplow began watching us.

Mr. Hill did not appear to believe my words, a hint of frustration rising on his brow.

“I suppose you are now unwilling to teach me to shoot,” I said with a sigh. “Unwilling to even be near me, perhaps. Miss Benham seems to be eager for your assistance; you might go help her—”

He shook his head, taking a step closer. “I will teach you, Miss Sedgwick. I am not one to leave a lady in distress.”

A lady. Would he leave a maid in distress?

He drew closer, tipping his head toward the bow I held. “Take it in your left hand.”

I obeyed, my pulse suddenly quicker than it had been a moment before. He leaned toward me, guiding my hand to the correct place on the bow. Even through my gloves, my skin tingled as his fingers covered mine. I could feel the tangible stares of all the other ladies like needles against my back.

Mr. Hill moved behind me, leaning his head toward the target from behind my shoulder. When he