The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,85

I rubbed my nose, laughing despite the pain.

“You need never pretend to be Sophia again. Tillie is much better, I think.” Jessie wrapped her arms around me, and I leaned my head on her shoulder.

“Do not tell Sophia that, or we shall both lose our wages,” I muttered.

“Aye. But since she banished you below stairs for a week, she deserves our ill words.”

I laughed, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand. Though the future was uncertain, there were still many good things in my life that hadn’t been taken away. Soon, I would return home and see Mama. I still had sunrises and birdsong and friends like Jessie. I had memories of Papa, sweet, beautiful things to reflect on when I was worried or sad. And now, I had memories of Mr. Hill.

“I wish I could have an opportunity to explain.” The words spilled out as I sat up, drying my eyes. “Sophia could have told him any number of lies about me. I cannot imagine what he must think of me. I do not want to imagine it.”

Jessie’s eyes rounded. “You can explain! Write him a letter, and I will deliver it.”

I bit my lip, my heart picking up speed. “Truly?”

“Yes!”

“I don’t have any writing supplies.”

Jessie grinned. “Leave that to me.”

Jessie left my letter at Mr. Hill’s door late the night before our departure. We were leaving early enough that it was unlikely he would see it until after I was already gone. He wouldn’t have time to wonder how it had gotten there, or wonder if I had still been at the house all along.

He wouldn’t have time to come looking for me.

The birds sang as Jessie and I waited outside the carriage for Sophia. The footmen had finished loading the coach with our belongings, and were beginning to find a place for Sophia’s as she walked out the front doors. She didn’t appear as disappointed as I had expected, but rather relieved to be leaving Winslow House behind. Perhaps the other ladies were too, now that they knew Mr. Hill was not as rich as they had hoped. Handsome, yes. Kind, yes. And so many other things worth more than money. I shushed my thoughts, trying not to wonder if he was awake or asleep—if he had found my letter or not.

The note hadn’t been an outpouring of my feelings, but rather a simple explanation for why I had been unable to tell him the truth, and that I had still planned to tell him that day at the stables. I apologized, and I thanked him, and wished him all the happiness he deserved. Although we had never been entirely proper, a maid couldn’t write a love letter to a gentleman. I didn’t know if he would keep my letter or throw it aside, but at least I knew he would read it. That eased something inside me.

When all the bags and trunks were secured, we entered the carriage. I stretched my legs, preparing for the long journey ahead. There was much to occupy my mind, so it wasn’t boredom I feared. Sophia would likely have plenty of prattle to pass the time.

As the carriage doors were closed behind us, the front doors of the house opened.

Mr. Hill walked down the steps.

My heart seized, and I flattened against the back cushion of my seat so I wouldn’t be seen through the window. Mrs. Ollerton followed closely behind him, reaching for the back of his jacket as if she might actually grasp onto it and stop him.

How had I forgotten? Mr. Hill always arose early.

“Hide yourself!” Sophia said, swatting her hand through the air above my head.

I ducked lower in my seat when the carriage began to move. Sophia waved out her window, and I remained unseen. He didn’t know that I had been there all week, and it would be better if he never found out. I closed my eyes against the pain in my chest, only sitting up once I knew we were too far for him to see through the window. I could still see his outline, standing beside Mrs. Ollerton on the drive at Winslow House. Even from the carriage, I could see the slump to his shoulders and the folded piece of foolscap in his hand. My letter. What else could it have been?

I watched him as we drove away, careful to keep my face hidden. My heart ached. My head throbbed. Everything hurt as Winslow House disappeared behind the hills,