The Last Eligible Bachelor: A Regency Romance (Seasons of Change Book 3) by Newbold Ashtyn

Author:Newbold, Ashtyn [Newbold, Ashtyn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Three Leaf Publishing
Published: 2020-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

He started with the gardens, leading me past the rose bushes, then the many fountains and a miniature waterfall in the water gardens. The narrow stone pathway was shaded by trees, and the air was flooded with the sweet scent of flowers and the earthy scent of rain. Even the petals of the roses carried both, where the droplets from the night before mingled with the spiraling petals.

Mr. Hill led me through the back door of the house, into the main rooms, and then to the portrait gallery on the first floor. While grand and spacious, the house was filled with signs of life. Filigree baskets as decoration, framed embroidery, and fresh flowers in vases. The time passed quickly with Mr. Hill telling me the history of each room, and which was the favorite of each member in his family. His voice was animated and filled with fondness, and I could have listened to him all day. From my first impression of him, I would have imagined him living in a dark, spacious home by himself, but now that I had come to know him better, I couldn’t picture him anywhere but here. His eyes gleamed with pride over his family and his home; he belonged so perfectly, as if he had been born of the paintings on the wall. Mrs. Ollerton kept her comments infrequent but seemed just as excited to be touring the house as I was.

When we stepped onto the back lawn, Mrs. Ollerton fell back several paces, giving us the privacy she had promised. My heart hammered in my chest. Soon Mr. Hill would ask me his questions, and I would have to answer.

“What was it you would like to ask me?” My voice was quick. It would be better to get the matter over and done with.

Mr. Hill’s eyebrows rose. “I had nearly forgotten. I thank you for being courteous enough to remind me.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, and he laughed. There was no possible way he had actually forgotten.

“There was the first matter which we didn’t have a moment to discuss yesterday as we were helping your maid to safety,” he said. “Why were you avoiding me enough to slip down a slope of mud to evade my attention, when just the day before you seemed so eager to receive it? I must admit the contradiction has both puzzled me and frustrated me to no end.” Though his voice dripped with his frustration, his mouth was still lifted in a smile.

To my relief, he had combined his two questions into one. There was no better way to get my answers over with than that. I kicked the overgrown grass softly as I walked, letting the tips of Sophia’s half boots peek out from beneath the skirts. “Well…I told you before that I was forced to come here.”

“Indeed.”

“Before I say anything more, I must first apologize for my behavior. I understand how it has left you utterly confused and frustrated. I—well, I have never found myself in this position before.

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