The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,37

Even if I was trying to drive him away, there was never any excuse for rudeness. And I had been impertinent too many times toward a man who had done nothing to hurt me.

Mr. Hill still searched my face for a moment before taking a step back toward the horse. I followed, my inhale sharp when he took me by the waist, lifting me easily onto the saddle. After an awkward shift, I managed to steady myself, my wet and muddy skirts creeping too high on my lower legs for comfort. My stockings were also soaked through. I took the reins in hand, leading the horse slowly down the path. Jessie held onto my arms, her hands shaking slightly. She had likely never ridden on horseback, or at least not often enough to not be afraid.

I kept the horse at a slow enough pace to keep Mr. Hill from falling behind, but with his long strides, I did not have to pull too hard on the reins. The horse was very docile and calm, taking well to the change in its riders. Thankfully, the town hadn’t come alive completely for the day, still relatively quiet on the streets. The few people who did pass didn’t hide their concern and dismay as they observed Jessie and me on the horse, but I ignored their looks, glancing down at Mr. Hill.

Sophia had been correct in describing him as mysterious. I knew so little about who he was. I hadn’t learned much from the conversations in the dining room among the guests, as most of the ladies preferred speaking about themselves in order to win over his attention. All I had learned of Mr. Hill was that he had an estate nearby. He was quite rich and respected, and was, according to Mrs. Ollerton’s private words to us women, the only gentleman in the town who was eligible enough to deserve any of our hands in marriage. There was the vicar and a few clergymen who were also unmarried, but they were not nearly as eligible a bachelor as Mr. Hill. Or likely as handsome. Or kind. If Mr. Hill had been so kind to Jessie, a maid, then how would he treat me if he knew I was a lady’s maid?

I banished my thoughts the moment they came. I couldn’t entertain thoughts like that ever again. He wasn’t going to discover my true identity, so it didn’t matter. He would know me as Miss Sedgwick until the day I departed from Winslow House to never see him again.

“How is your leg?” I asked Jessie, steering my thoughts and eyes away from Mr. Hill. “Am I riding too quickly?” Each bounce of her leg against the horse’s side could not have been comfortable.

“No, Till—” her voice trailed off. “Er—No, miss. Carry on.” I could hear the grimace in Jessie’s voice, but she was trying to be strong. And she was strong. I would likely have melted into tears if I had experienced what she just had.

“How exactly did the injury happen?” Mr. Hill’s deep voice was a stark contrast to Jessie’s pained squeak. He was addressing me. “What were you doing behind the Roberts property at this hour? I knew you liked arising early,” he glanced up at me with a knowing smile, “but I didn’t know you enjoyed frolicking in the mud. Does it help you become more amiable by the afternoon, perhaps?” There was an accusation in his voice. I was ashamed enough by my behavior the day before—I did not need to hear the disapproval in his words. He had not been fooled, only confused by my behavior. As much as I needed him to dislike me, it hurt more than I cared to admit. Your feelings do not matter, Tillie, I told myself. This was about protecting Sophia and fulfilling what she had sent me here to do.

How could I explain why I was at the Roberts’ house? I searched my mind for a response. “I—I was on a walk, and I accidentally moved too quickly over the mud and fell. I collided with my maid and caused her to fall as well.” My voice grew quiet at the end. He must have thought so little of me. He had likely never met such an ungainly lady in all his life.

He seemed to be fighting a smile, the dimple on his left cheek flickering in and out. “How did you find yourself accidentally in the mud? Would you not