The Last Eligible Bachelor - Ashtyn Newbold Page 0,88

to me. I could not forget you even if it was my dearest wish, and I assure you, there have been days over the last month that I have wished to forget you and all the pain that comes with not having you, but I cannot. My heart is yours and always will be.

It took a great deal of effort, but I finally managed to discover your real name from Miss Sedgwick. In the case of Miss Sedgwick, as rare as it is, I find that I like the imitation much better than the reality. It doesn’t matter that your name is actually Tillie Sherbrooke. It suits you much better than Sophia ever did. I do not care about your station, nor the consequences to my own if I were to tie myself to you. I have come to realize that happiness is not found in respect from others, but in respecting oneself. I have put aside my pride, my dear Tillie, and I never wish for it back. I only wish for you, and I must respect that wish, no matter who in my family or in society does not. You are my happiness. You are my heart. I love you.

I would have come to you sooner, but there was a matter of business which I had to attend to. It is my privilege to tell you that your father is now free, and will be returning to you at Sedgwick Manor at the same moment I do. Your father is a good man, just as you said. Of course, a large part of my regard for him comes with the fact that he granted my request to marry you, should you agree.

Others may say that the matter of your station means you do not deserve to marry a man of my station, but the truth is quite to the contrary. I cannot give you all that you deserve, but I have tried. In the month we have been apart, I have worked tirelessly on my new property, and if it suits you, I think we could be quite happy there. The land is expansive, and I have offered the Roberts family a place as one of my tenants, where I believe they will be far more prosperous.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I thought of the little girl who had lost her father, and the family who had taken her in. Mr. Hill had not forgotten them either. I wiped my eyes so I could see the rest of the letter.

My path did not lead me where I thought it would, and I have been foolish far more times to count, but all the disappointment that led me to where I am today was worth every moment. I might have never found you, and that is a thought I don’t care to dwell on.

If my estimation is correct, this letter will have reached you just a day or two before I do. If by the time I arrive you haven’t received it, I will repeat all the things I have said here. I will say it again and again if it means you will finally grow tired of my persistence and agree to be my wife.

With all my love,

Mr. Frederick Hill

When I finished reading, I nearly forgot Mama was still standing in front of me, her face heavy with concern. A smile overtook my face, and I read the letter again, unable to believe that Mr. Hill had really written those sweet words for me. My tears dripped off the tip of my nose, and I dried them with my sleeve. I felt as if I were floating, all the heaviness that had been weighing on my heart for the last month turned to feathers, wings that lifted me higher than the trees. I looped my arm through Mama’s, keeping the letter and ribbon tucked safely in my apron.

I had never explained to Mama the reason for my tears the day I returned from Winslow House, and she had never asked, patiently waiting for me to tell her when I felt ready. So on our walk back to the house, I told her everything, including what Mr. Hill had written in his letter.

“I esteem him highly already.” Her smile could not have been wider than my own. “It seems both our hearts will be returning to us tomorrow.”

A flutter coursed through my stomach, and I tried to imagine what it would be like to see Mr. Hill’s face