The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,71
The note of teasing still carried in his voice, but it was different now, more uncertain. His eyes found mine in the dark, as if asking for permission.
If he kissed me now, it would be willingly given—far too willingly to ever earn him the title of thief. His lips were just a breath away. If I shifted on my hip, I would be close enough to kiss him. I fought against the pull in my chest, the desire that still burned there. He didn’t realize what he was asking for. He didn’t recognize the consequences. It might have been a game to him, but it was far more than that to me.
“I do not give up kisses easily,” I said in a quick voice, turning my face away.
He was silent for a long moment. “Nor truth, nor smiles,” he finally said, letting out a deep sigh that rustled unjustly against my hair again. His arm slipped away from my waist, and he stood, offering his hand as I followed. My legs prickled from being in the cramped space. He smiled down at me. “Although I did manage to earn both in due time.”
Did he think he would eventually convince me to kiss him? Annoyance and frustration surged. “You wouldn’t actually kiss me.” I said, my voice less confident than I intended. “You simply enjoy teasing me.” Surely he had only meant to taunt me with his suggestion, to catch sight of the blush on my cheeks which he found so entertaining. Our courtship was false. Our feelings were false. The more I told myself, however, the less I believed it.
He chuckled under his breath, tipping his head to one side. “I do enjoy teasing you. But I daresay I would enjoy kissing you more.”
He was unbelievable. Incorrigible. “Well, you will never know which you prefer, because you shall never experience the latter.” I rushed past him, feeling once again how I had when I had first arrived at Winslow House, unsure of his intentions and afraid that they didn’t match my own. I hurried toward the bust, eager to replace the necklace and return to my bedchamber in solitude.
I sensed Mr. Hill behind me, and I took a deep breath before turning around. “Let us replace the necklace before Mrs. Ollerton comes back.”
He nodded his agreement before moving a step closer. While his expression had been filled with teasing before, it was now serious as I slid my glove down and pulled the necklace out. Concentration marked his brow as he took the necklace from my outstretched hand, his fingers brushing mine. He replaced the pendant on the bust, centering it just as it had been before.
“We shall call this a successful mission.” His gaze found mine, and my heart gave another wayward leap.
“We haven’t made it back safely yet.”
“We will.” He smiled, and my shoulders relaxed. “We have made it this far. It would be unfair to be caught now.”
Unfair. The word stuck in my mind as we sneaked back into the hallway. Our paths parted where the hall divided between the direction to his bedchamber and mine.
“Goodnight, Miss Sedgwick.” He backed away with a smile, and my heart told me what I already knew. I had fallen in love with him.
“Goodnight.” My voice was just a choked whisper, one I wasn’t even certain he heard before I turned and walked away. I felt his gaze on my back as I went, but I refused to look behind me until a door separated us.
When I was finally safe, I leaned against the wall in my room, pressing a hand against my chest. I had been a fool to come so close to Mr. Hill. My original tactic had been the best, no matter how difficult it had been to avoid him. I could no longer continue spending time with him if I hoped to keep my secret. For his sake, I would allow the guests to believe he still favored me, but I would force myself to believe that I did not feel anything for him. Nothing real. He had already written to his uncle, and I knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t abandon the effort to free Papa if I asked him to try. He was too honorable and kind.
My heart ached as I renewed my determination to put a bit of distance between us. As difficult as it would be, the next three weeks would be much harder if I didn’t.