The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,49

my limbs left me weak, and a smile slipped past my defenses. I dipped my chin in an attempt to hide it.

“Was that a smile?”

I shook my head, attempting to correct the expression. The effort was futile the moment I saw the look of pure victory on Mr. Hill’s face. My smile spread, pulling on my cheeks. It felt as wide as the expansive lawn of Hill Manor, and I couldn’t stop it. His gaze swept over my face, his eyes growing softer somehow, more careful as he watched my newfound expression. “I never thought I would convince you to give up an honest answer and a smile all in one day. What else might you be reluctant to give up? I should like to test my good luck.”

I shook my head. “That is all for one day, Mr. Hill.”

“I suppose this new joy on your face is born from your belief that I don’t have hopes of marrying you?”

My heart leaped, not at his words, but at the look of intense curiosity in his eyes. “No. It was born from the fact that Mrs. Ollerton is bound to be quite humbled.”

He tipped his head back with a laugh. I savored the sound, trying to memorize it before it disappeared. I had heard his flirtatious chuckles, but never a laugh as hearty and full as this one. It was contagious, and I had to bite my cheek to keep my own laughter at bay. Had I been trying so hard to avoid him for nothing? If he had no intention of actually selecting a wife from the guests at Winslow House, then I had been making a fool of myself, mistakenly thinking he had intentions toward me other than friendship. He had likely only gravitated toward me because I did not fawn over him like the other ladies. The realization caused every muscle in my body to relax, and I could finally enjoy his company without worry and fear. It felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, and I could finally breathe.

When Mr. Hill’s laughter subsided, he threw me a look of curiosity. “Now I must ask what you were up to that you didn’t wish for me to discover yesterday morning.”

“It was nothing.”

He raised both eyebrows, unrelenting. “What mischief were you about?”

I let out a sigh. “No mischief.”

“Will you really refuse to tell me?”

“Oh, very well, if you must know, I was visiting a family with whom I was recently acquainted.” I looked down at the grass as we passed a large tree, watching the bright spots of sunlight succumb to the shade. “I felt the need to help them in any way I could. I learned that they were looking after the daughter of a family in much greater need, and that her father had recently died.”

“The Roberts family?”

I gave a slow nod. “Do you know them?”

“I had heard of the death of Mr. Shaw as well, and I was on my way to visit them when I saw you.” Mr. Hill’s brow furrowed. “What were you able to offer them?”

“Nothing I offered could comfort the family like I wished it could.” My throat tightened at the memory of the little girl and her sad eyes. “But I gave them the money I had and my condolences. I wish there was more that could be done.”

Mr. Hill stopped under the tree, turning to face me. “Why would you wish to hide such a kind deed?” The flash of admiration that now burned in his eyes was the reason I had hidden it from him.

I shrugged one shoulder. “I believe kindness done in secret is worth far more. Kindness is not meant for anyone but the recipient of it. What I did was a small deed, and it was not meant to elevate anyone’s opinion of me, nor was it meant to elevate my pride, or anyone’s pride in me.”

Mr. Hill stared at me for a long moment, as if searching for something deep within my eyes. His gaze seemed to scrape at my soul, and I felt completely exposed by it. “Is that why you didn’t make a basket, that day when we all walked into town? All the other ladies made one but you.”

I dipped my chin. I hadn’t known he had noticed. “I didn’t wish for you to think I was generous in any way.”

He scoffed, rubbing one side of his face. “Would it surprise you to hear that I admired you