The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,35
own embarrassment with thoughts of Jessie’s suffering. “Mr. Hill.” My voice was much softer than I intended. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Mr. Hill!”
He glanced behind his shoulder first before realizing where my voice came from. His eyes met mine from across the path, his expression immediately shifting to one of deep concern. He switched course, moving with long strides toward me, leaving his horse behind. He wore a tan waistcoat and navy jacket, perfectly presentable and handsome. I could only imagine what he must have thought of my appearance. I could feel a drip of muddy water rolling down my cheek, and a strand of hair plastered near it.
“Miss Sedgwick, are you all right?” He stopped in front of me, his blue eyes showing a rare seriousness as he examined my face, then the mud all over the front of my dress. “What are you doing out here alone?”
I shook my head fast. “I am not alone. Jess—er—my maid has been injured.” I waved him forward, facing the muddy slope again. I swallowed, eyeing the deep mud that had made me fall the first time. Sophia’s old boots had very little left on their soles, and I didn’t trust them to keep me upright, even if I was careful.
I took one small step before Mr. Hill stopped me, touching my elbow much like he had the day before. He met my gaze with a shake of his head. “Stay here.”
I nodded, wrapping my arms around myself. Some of the mud had already solidified on my arms, cracking and peeling off with the movement. “Do take care, Mr. Hill. It is quite slick.”
He acknowledged my words with a nod before walking down to Jessie with all the ease and grace I had come to expect of him, not even faltering on his feet for one moment. I glanced at his hessians, plastered in mud all the way up to the ankles. I couldn’t imagine many gentlemen in London who would risk their prized riding boots with so little hesitation to help a maid. Any gentleman might have done so for a lady, but a maid? I could easily envision many men I had met during my Season calling for a physician and waiting for him to come and help the maid out of her plight. My heart skipped with admiration before I gave it a thorough scolding, refocusing on the task at hand.
Mr. Hill scooped Jessie up out of the mud, helping her to her feet. “No, sir, I can’t stand. I fear it be broken, sir.”
Mr. Hill’s dark eyebrows drew together as he glanced at the muddy slope. In a split second, he seemed to make a decision. “I will carry you to my horse.”
“You don’t have to do that, sir. I can crawl, perhaps?”
He chuckled, glancing up at me. “Was crawling a practice you learned from Miss Sedgwick?”
Embarrassment made me squirm as I was reminded of my crawling across the drawing room floor to clean up the tarts.
“No, sir. I learned in my infancy.” Jessie looked up at him with wide eyes, obviously missing his joke. She attempted to turn herself onto her hands and knees.
Mr. Hill shook his head, his face turning serious once again. “I will not allow that. You may injure your leg further.”
Jessie cast me a worried glance before nodding her consent. Mr. Hill bent down, slipping one arm behind her knees and the other around her waist, lifting her up and walking again with unfair ease to the top of the slope. Jessie was quite small, but I still could hardly believe the ease in which he lifted her onto his horse, helping her situate herself on the saddle. She sat awkwardly, her features still twisted in pain. “I’ll help her back to Winslow House and have the physician sent promptly,” he said, turning toward me. He walked closer, his eyes soft and gentle. “Are you certain you are not hurt?”
My throat felt suddenly dry, words evading me. My dignity was certainly hurt, but nothing more. I pressed my lips together, nodding. “I’m certain.” I looked down at my ruined clothes. “I was fortunate to have found you nearby to help us, even if it only further emphasized my propensity of embarrassing myself in your presence.” I remembered that I was meant to be acting like Miss Downsfield, but it was too late. In the distress of the moment, I hadn’t remembered to keep up my act. I had fallen back