The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,56

at bay. Mr. Hill had intentionally chosen a seat on the opposite side of the room from me in an attempt to further confuse the group. The question of why Mr. Hill had requested a private meeting with me hovered in the air, unspoken, and leaving it so was proving quite amusing.

Perhaps Miss Downsfield would burst from her curiosity.

Miss Coppins sat at her right, casting her gaze at me periodically with a look of concern, as if she blamed me for Miss Downsfield’s current state.

It was cruel, really, that Mr. Hill had come here at all with his determination not to marry any of the ladies. By the desperation on their faces, it struck me just how unfair he had been—how unfair he still was being not to make his intentions clear. Whether he had meant to or not, he had stolen many hearts he didn’t intend to keep.

When we stood to head to the dining room, Miss Benham looped her arm through mine so abruptly I jumped at her touch.

“How do you do, Miss Sedgwick?” Her large brown eyes blinked up at me. “It has been far too long since we have spoken.”

I sensed the ulterior motives immediately that she must have had in now attempting to befriend me. Surely she suspected Mr. Hill would find her kindness endearing, as she hadn’t spoken to me since Mr. Hill had chosen to sit beside me in the drawing room my second day here.

“I am well.” I smiled as we made our way out the door.

“You look quite refreshed from your ride this morning.”

“Ah, yes.” She certainly did not take long to find her way to her desired subject. “I thank you for noticing.” I wouldn’t be the one to tell her that I had a second ride planned for the next morning.

Fortunately, the walk to the dining room was short, and I was able to separate myself from Miss Benham. The first course was served in relative peace and generic conversation, then the second was placed on the table. The restlessness in the air was becoming more evident by the minute.

My fork scraped across my plate a little too loudly, and I glanced up to meet Mr. Hill’s gaze. He smiled, just a slight upturn of his lips before turning his attention back to his roasted goose and potatoes. Mrs. Ollerton had been cheerfully relaying her plans for the next day for at least ten minutes while the rest of us ate in silence. With Mr. Hill as my ally, the envious, dark looks from the other ladies were much more tolerable. It was still difficult to rein in my laughter when I thought about their expressions when Mr. Hill and I had exited the drawing room earlier that day without an engagement to announce. The ladies had been equal parts relief and confusion, and Mr. Hill had yet to explain himself to them.

Silence fell with renewed heaviness, and I didn’t dare move as I listened to the repeated clearing of Mrs. Ollerton’s throat, a sign that her upcoming choice of words would not be pleasant.

“Mr. Hill,” she said around a stiff smile. “I have heard a rumor which I think ought to be clarified.”

I stared at my goblet, watching the shadows of the nearby candles flicker off the glass.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Hill’s posture straighten. “In my experience, rumors are never to be believed.” How could he manage to sound so calm? So charismatic? I was gripping my fork like a trident, pressing it into the meat on my plate as if I meant to kill it.

I dared a look at Mrs. Ollerton as her lips pursed into a forgiving smile. “Yes, I believe that does apply to most rumors…but I’m afraid the rumor I speak of came from a reliable source.” Her eyes flicked to Miss Downsfield before settling on Mr. Hill once again.

I would have never considered Miss Downsfield to be a reliable source for information, unless it was skewed toward achieving her own designs.

“I see.” Mr. Hill smiled. “What is this rumor? Does it concern me?”

The room was so silent I didn’t dare move my fork from its place, spearing the meat unforgivingly. It seemed I would soon be just as trapped.

“Well, yes.” Mrs. Ollerton shifted uncomfortably. “It is rumored that you spoke privately with Miss Sedgwick this afternoon.” Her eyelids fluttered, as if to beg him to refute her words. “I thought it would be prudent that you deny or