Page 64 of Pursuing Mr. Mattingly

The earl snickered. “Again, I apologize for the punch. I’m rather overprotective of my family.”

“Truly, I understand, and I feel the same way regarding mine.” He glanced at Hannah, who beamed. “Now, if you will all excuse me, I need to make inroads into securing my future.”

Hannah put a hand on his arm. “May I come with you? It’s my future too.”

He glanced at the earl, who frowned. “I rather think this is something I should accomplish on my own.” For his wife might need convincing. “But please believe me when I tell you I’ll do everything in my power to convince your mother she needs me.”

“Mr. Mattingly is correct, Hannah.” The earl drew her away from Oliver and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I believe your grandmother wishes for you to have a bath and to take to your bed early so you’ll prove rested for the festivities tomorrow.”

“Please?” She looked up at the earl with round eyes. “I cannot lose another father, Uncle Arthur.”

Oh, God.

The earl put his free hand over his heart. “In this I won’t budge.” He glanced at Oliver and the worry in his eyes matched his own. “Good luck. I assume if all goes well, we will see the both of you at the ceremony.”

Oliver nodded. “From your lips to God’s ears.”

Hannah frowned. “You will convince Mama she should stay married, won’t you Oliver?”

“I shall do my best.” Then, with a wave to her, he quit the area in favor of returning to the room he’d shared with Sophia until she’d moved out two days ago. There was no trace of her there. Not immediately concerned, he moved on to various rooms around the manor house. She proved elusive. He even visited the attics, but his wife wasn’t there either.

Worry pulled knots in his belly, but as he passed a window that looked out onto the back lawn and the maze, he knew where she would be—the heart of the maze. Oliver grinned. It was fitting since that was where she apparently went when she wished for security and for thinking.

He vowed to himself as he made his way outside the manor, he wouldn’t leave that maze until he’d secured her promise to remain with him for the duration.

When he reached the heart, the respite from heat and the sun was welcome, but that wasn’t the reason he forgot how to breathe, for Sophia sat upon the picnic quilt with her back to the roses in the center. She wore the wonderful pink gown that she had for their wedding ceremony, and with her hair piled atop her head and the enamel rose pin deep in the tresses, she remained every bit the dream of his heart as she was that day. At least twenty clipped roses of varying colors littered the quilt around her—no doubt to represent hope.

His heart skipped a beat, and he finally drew in a shaky breath. “My God, Sophia, you are a vision.” And he’d missed her so damned much.

“I knew you would come here and find me.” When she smiled, he groaned, for in the shadows and with that come hither twinkle in her eyes, all he could think about was kissing her.

But that wouldn’t solve anything.

“How so?” Where had the woman gone who had tears in her eyes and determination in her expression when she’d told him to go two days ago?

She shifted and rearranged her skirting over her folded legs. “You are the hero I needed when we first met, and you are my husband now—still that hero. And I still have need of you.” A tiny waver echoed in her voice, and it tugged at his chest. “You don’t quit something until it’s done to your satisfaction.”

“No, I don’t. This is true.” Oliver came forward until the toes of his boots aligned with the edge of the quilt. “I must say that this change in attitude has left me reeling.” But perhaps it would make his work easier. “We need to talk.” He couldn’t live in this nether world where he didn’t know where he fit.

“I know.” She nodded. “Everything has been so…”

“Strange?” he provided.

“Yes.” Sophia held out a hand to him. “But then, normal is so boring.”

“Indeed.” The second he took her hand, need shivered along his spine.

I’m not giving up on us.

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