The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,44

Mr. Hill into a piece in a game? Isn’t that what we all were? It was almost as if Mrs. Ollerton had organized this party for her own entertainment, to watch love unfold as if it could be controlled. Perhaps it could be. By spending time with Mr. Hill—by going on the ride with him the next morning—it did not mean I would fall in love with him. I was master over my own heart. If I made it clear that I was not interested in marriage, then perhaps Mr. Hill would turn his attention to a different lady who would be much easier to pursue. I could still become friends with him, offering to help him in his pursuit of Miss Coppins, or perhaps Miss Benham.

Then he might help me in return by speaking with his uncle.

My heart pounded with sudden hope, galloping on the back of my fear as if it had suddenly taken the reins.

Mr. Hill did not take long to join us in the drawing room, and when he did, he sat down beside me. It was the second day in a row he had chosen that seat, and each woman in the room sat up straighter as he did. The competition, as they all seemed to view this visit, was becoming much more tense. Even Miss Coppins, who had been the friendliest toward me, seemed to be viewing me as a threat, watching my every move as if to learn from it, as if I were some master in winning the affection of handsome gentlemen.

I would have laughed at the idea, but it was hard to laugh with so many masked glares fixated on me.

“I look forward to our ride in the morning,” Mr. Hill said, his voice low as he adjusted his glove. His eyes flicked up to meet mine. “If you have not changed your mind.”

There was wisdom in staying away from him, in saying I had indeed changed my mind, but I no longer had a choice. A ride would be the perfect opportunity to question him about his uncle, even if I had to answer some of his questions in exchange.

I took a deep breath. “I look forward to it as well.”

He seemed surprised by my response, casting me a suspicious smile before sitting back in his chair.

Chapter 13

Mrs. Ollerton appeared equally surprised and amused when she discovered that Mr. Hill had invited me for a ride the next morning and had heartily volunteered to be our chaperone. As much as I would have liked it to, I doubted the ride would stay secret for long. I could easily envision Mrs. Ollerton telling all the other ladies over tea that afternoon, advising them to do all they could to be invited for a ride as well. By the way Mrs. Ollerton spoke, it seemed I was the last lady she would have expected to have been invited on an outing.

We had planned to ride before breakfast, as Mr. Hill had noted that I enjoyed being out in the early mornings. He was even thoughtful enough to note that I would probably prefer the morning so as to not draw attention to myself around the other ladies by leaving for a ride with him in the afternoon. When I stepped outside, the late spring air was cold, and I was grateful once again for the warm lining in Sophia’s old spencer jacket.

Mr. Hill was already waiting by his gig, patting the neck of one of the horses and adjusting the reins. As if he had heard my approaching footsteps, he turned around, his chest swelling with a deep breath as his gaze took me in. Beneath the clouded sky, his features were clear and uninhibited by shadows from sunlight or candlelight. The color of his eyes was in its purest form, deep, multi-toned blue, and filled with warmth and questions. “Miss Sedgwick,” he bowed before seeming to notice Mrs. Ollerton a few paces behind me. He greeted her as well before stepping forward to offer me his hand.

“I will sit on the back,” Mrs. Ollerton said. “I should hate to come between you.” Her cheerful smile took on an edge of mischief, as if all her schemes were finally coming to fruition.

I took Mr. Hill’s hand, and his fingers tightened around mine as I stepped into the gig. Even through both our gloves, his touch sent a thrill through me. I calmed the leaping of my heart, settling onto the seat and