The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,55

take me riding? Do you realize how angry that will make Miss Downsfield?”

He frowned. “You said you would not pay any heed to her.”

I sighed. “Yes. Sorry.”

“But you have discovered one benefit to coming riding with me.”

“To make her envious? To torture her?”

“Perhaps a little. You may call it revenge for her spiteful words toward you today. You may also call it proof that you are my favorite.” His smile tipped more to one side, and my stomach gave its familiar flutter.

“Your favorite subject for teasing, perhaps?”

He laughed. “That is certainly true, but there is far more to my regard for you than that.”

I swallowed, my smile fading as his words sank into my chest. I almost let them reach my heart, but I stopped them before they could get too comfortable in a place where they didn’t belong. I had done enough of that already.

“Have you considered that this private conversation has likely already given Miss Downsfield a great deal of distress? She likely assumes you are proposing to me at this very moment.” I wrung my hands together.

Mr. Hill’s eyes widened. “Are you truly worried over Miss Downsfield’s feelings after her treatment of you just now?”

I shrugged one shoulder. “Miss Coppins has warned me on many occasions that distress can cause one’s heart to burst. I should hate to be the cause of an unfortunate event like that.”

Mr. Hill tipped his head back with a laugh and I joined him, watching the way his shoulders shook and his eyes sparked with amusement. His laughter subsided with a sigh, and he tipped his head to one side, shaking it slightly. “You are exceedingly thoughtful. And loving. I daresay you could love anything or anyone.”

I studied his expression for too long—causing it to turn inquisitive. I looked down at the toes of my boots. By the way his gaze burned on my face, I could tell he was guessing at my thoughts. He would never guess that I had been wondering if he was the same…if he too could love anything or anyone—even a lady’s maid.

“That is not true.” I searched for anything I could plausibly claim to despise. “I do not like spiders. Or snakes,” I added after a pause.

Mr. Hill chuckled. “Well, Miss Downsfield’s behavior today was rather snakelike; would you agree?”

After a moment of hesitation, I nodded, biting my lower lip guiltily. “Yes.”

Mr. Hill paced over to the pianoforte, running his fingers over the keys casually before looking up with a grin. “She may even hiss when she discovers our plans for a ride.”

A laugh escaped me before I coached my expression back to normal. “She might not discover that if I don’t agree to accompany you.”

He crossed his arms. “Would you really deny yourself the opportunity to witness Miss Downsfield hissing?”

The image of Miss Downsfield with her teeth bared letting out such a sound made another giggle escape me. “No.”

Mr. Hill’s smile grew. “Then we shall meet at the stables at eight o’clock.”

I opened my mouth to refute him, but his grin left no room for argument. I snapped my mouth closed, pressing my lips together. Drat it all, Mr. Hill had managed to charm his way to what he wanted yet again. Why he wanted me to ride with him was still a mystery. If he truly didn’t wish to marry, then why bother with me at all? My heart hammered, but I ignored it. He had explained his reasoning well enough, but for some reason, I still didn’t believe him.

I cast him a suspicious glance, but he didn’t seem to notice. His expression was all triumph, and it melted the stone walls around my heart before I put them up again, stronger, more resilient to a certain set of blue eyes and undeniable charm. No, I would not fall in love with Mr. Hill. Not now, not tomorrow, never. We were friends. He was the only person here besides Jessie who did not intend to hurt me in some way or another.

Yet, no matter his intentions, I still feared he would.

Chapter 16

In the drawing room before dinner, I felt very much like a piece of taxidermy on display. I was not dead…yet. But if Miss Downsfield had her way, I might be. By the way she held one of her wrists encircled tightly in her other hand, it seemed she was practicing for how it might feel to squeeze my neck in a similar manner.

I swallowed, pressing my lips together to keep my laughter