The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,77

the wren again. “If you don’t find the bird first, then one of the others will, and you heard the consequences of that. It would ruin your plan to not give any of them false hope.”

“I already know which bird Mrs. Ollerton speaks of,” he said with a nonchalant flick of his hand. “The blackbird is the only one I have known to say the words, lurkey, lurkey. I heard it outside my window this morning.”

I stared at him with disbelief. “When do you plan to tell her?”

“As soon as I am finished thoroughly enjoying this peaceful morning with you. Next time we are together we are sure to have Mrs. Ollerton following closely behind.”

“Well, she is still somewhere nearby.” I glanced behind me, surprised to find the area empty. I hadn’t realized how far into the woods we had walked.

“Not near enough, I suspect,” he said with a chuckle.

Near enough for what? My heart hammered, and I shushed it. He leaned one shoulder against a nearby tree before pushing away, crossing the ground that separated us. He stopped when he reached my side, following my gaze to the tree above us. “I have often wondered what madness caused Mrs. Ollerton to concoct an idea like this matchmaking party.” His voice had taken on a serious tone, one that was more inquisitive than flirtatious. I let my shoulders relax, though my heart still pounded.

“To a dishonorable man, this situation would be very dangerous,” Mr. Hill continued. “To have five ladies fighting for a moment with him, which he would be ever-willing to give.”

“But you are not a dishonorable man,” I said, surprised by the steadiness of my voice. Glancing up at his face made me realize just how close he was standing. In the quiet of the morning, the cacophony of the birdsong seemed to disappear, and all I could hear were Mr. Hill’s steady inhales and exhales, and the beat of my own pulse as it passed my ears. He met my gaze, and the dim morning light left his features soft and blurred, not as easy to distinguish. His eyes appeared more grey, and his lips smiled softly.

“What would you consider a dishonorable man to be?” he asked. “What do you suppose a dishonorable man might do at this very moment?” The teasing in his voice was unmistakable, but there was also a hint of genuine curiosity.

I took a step back, then another, until my back made contact with that large tree trunk I had passed. Mr. Hill did not allow me the space I had created, walking with two large strides until he stood in front of me, even closer than before. “I, well—I suppose a dishonorable man would likely lie to Mrs. Ollerton about finding her bird. He might continue speaking too loud so that the lady in his company cannot have her chance at finding it herself.” I gave him a pointed look. I kept my voice even and calm, though my heart raced. I wasn’t afraid of Mr. Hill—but only afraid of the things he made me feel. No man had ever had this much of an effect on me, and it was unfamiliar and breathtaking. Breathtaking.

I remembered to breathe, taking two handfuls of the fabric of my skirts to steady myself.

Mr. Hill’s smile grew, and he glanced upward at the trees. The air grew still for a short moment, but all I could hear was the wren and the other bird, the one that did not sound anything like the blackbird.

“It doesn’t matter how loudly I speak,” Mr. Hill’s voice cut in. “I already told you which bird Mrs. Ollerton is searching for.” His voice seemed to be intentionally loud.

I scowled at him, pressing a finger to my lips as I gazed up at the trees. “Hush! I want to hear it.”

When I met his eyes again, my heart gave an alarming leap. His smile had grown again, but it was more uncertain. And in the moment I had been looking away, his gaze had lowered to my lips.

“A dishonorable man might take this as the opportunity he had been waiting for.” His gaze danced between my eyes and my lips, lingering just a moment longer on the latter. The birds had stopped singing. The wind had stopped. The leaves no longer rustled. The entire world held its breath as Mr. Hill leaned closer with his smiling lips. My breath refused to come too, stranded somewhere between my throat and my lungs. I