The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,47

voice when he mentioned his family, and he didn’t seem to care to dwell on them. The gardens were only a short distance from where we stopped. He stepped out the opposite side of the gig before circling around to hand Mrs. Ollerton down, then myself.

For some reason, I had envisioned Mr. Hill living alone. I had never thought of him having a family, and he had never mentioned them. Any questions that had been directed at him by any of the guests concerning his family, he had only responded to with vague answers.

I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to rely on something as stable as this house as a guaranteed part of my future, to know that I would always belong somewhere so beautiful. As a woman, even a lady of high breeding, I had been uncertain. My first Season in London had left me even more so. I had been taught to rely on the idea of marriage to a man who could provide for me, but when I had failed to make a match…that idea had become less likely. There was nothing reliable about uncertainty.

“You are quite fortunate,” I said in a quiet voice. I did not want to disrupt the peaceful sounds of nature that surrounded us. Even Mrs. Ollerton’s humming blended harmoniously with the birdsong. “I have never seen such a beautiful home.”

Mr. Hill cast me a sideways glance, his jaw still tight as he turned his gaze back to the house. “Nor have I.”

Mrs. Ollerton’s voice cut through my pondering, shrill and assertive. “I will be the sort of chaperone all young people desire.” She gave a mischievous smile. “I will keep my distance and allow you time to converse alone.”

Mr. Hill cast me a smile, one that made my heart jump to my throat. Would I ever grow accustomed to the sensation? My hands began to perspire inside my gloves. A private conversation was precisely what I needed in order to ask him about Mr. Baker, but I was afraid of what he would say. Would he really approach his uncle about such a sensitive subject on behalf of my ‘maid’?

“I thank you for your consideration, Mrs. Ollerton.” Mr. Hill bowed, making her laugh, before extending his arm to me.

I took his elbow, feeling suddenly shy. No man had ever attempted to court me before, and the exhilaration and guilt that mingled inside me were all too confusing. Before the end of the morning, I needed to make it clear that I had no intention of marrying at all. With luck, I would successfully direct his attention to one of the other ladies.

We began walking toward a small wooden gate that stood between two hedges. The gardens beyond it were nearly completely recovered from winter, plush with leaves and flowers.

“Now that Mrs. Ollerton is far behind us…” Mr. Hill said in a quiet voice. “I shall ask my first question.”

“Perhaps I should have asked her to remain closer.” I dipped my head, and Mr. Hill laughed.

“Would you like a tour of the house first? Perhaps it will put you at ease.” His genuine smile had already begun to melt away my worry.

“I would like that very much,” I managed, swallowing against my dry throat.

Chapter 14

He started with the gardens, leading me past the rose bushes, then the many fountains and a miniature waterfall in the water gardens. The narrow stone pathway was shaded by trees, and the air was flooded with the sweet scent of flowers and the earthy scent of rain. Even the petals of the roses carried both, where the droplets from the night before mingled with the spiraling petals.

Mr. Hill led me through the back door of the house, into the main rooms, and then to the portrait gallery on the first floor. While grand and spacious, the house was filled with signs of life. Filigree baskets as decoration, framed embroidery, and fresh flowers in vases. The time passed quickly with Mr. Hill telling me the history of each room, and which was the favorite of each member in his family. His voice was animated and filled with fondness, and I could have listened to him all day. From my first impression of him, I would have imagined him living in a dark, spacious home by himself, but now that I had come to know him better, I couldn’t picture him anywhere but here. His eyes gleamed with pride over his family and his home; he belonged so