Page 33 of Pursuing Mr. Mattingly

“I, Oliver Jonas Mattingly, take thee, Lady Sophia Winterbourne-Stratford-Forrester, to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health…” His voice broke on that word, and to his mortification, moisture rose in his eyes. God, please give me the strength to love her thoroughly in this limited time so she doesn’t feel alone before she leaves me to be with You. When Sophia squeezed his fingers, he cleared his throat. “…to love and to cherish, ’til death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto, I plight thee my troth.”

“Oh, Oliver.” A tear fell to her cheek, and he wanted nothing more but to kiss it away. “You dear, dear man.”

They were directed to release hands, and Sophia was told to then hold his right hand with her right one. The vicar addressed her with distinct emotion graveling his voice. “Lady Sophia, repeat after me.” As he said the words, the whole of Oliver’s being strained to hear them in her tones.

“I, Lady Sophia Winterbourne-Stratford-Forrester, take thee, Oliver Jonas Mattingly, to my wedded Husband.” The delicate tendons in her throat worked with a hard swallow. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, ’til death us do part…” Her words stumbled over themselves and another few tears fell to her cheeks. Oliver’s heart went out to her, for no doubt the reality of her limited days had come home to her, but when he squeezed her fingers, she met his and nodded, and smiled through her tears. “…according to God’s holy ordinance.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “And thereto I give thee my troth.” Her gaze rose to his. “You appeared when I needed you, Oliver, and for that, you will forever be my hero.”

Please let me live up to her imaginings.

A few sniffles issued from the dowager as well as the earl’s daughter, but Oliver ignored the high emotion swirling through the room.

They were instructed to again release their hands. Oliver gave a thin band of gold to the other man, who then laid it upon his open Book of Common Prayer along with a small leather pouch of coins that would pay for the vicar’s services. After Vicar Mitchell thanked him and said a short blessing over the ring, it was returned to him. Oliver then slipped it onto the fourth finger of her left hand, nestling the band beneath the ruby engagement ring he’d already given her. According to the earl, it wasn’t done, but he’d witnessed a few weddings while in America that had taken up the practice, and he liked it. Besides, it had given him great pleasure to purchase that plain band—his first gift to her.

Vicar Mitchell nodded. “Repeat after me, Mr. Mattingly.”

“With this Ring I thee wed, with my Body I thee worship, and with all my worldly Goods I thee endow.” His voice wavered slightly, for that had been his intention from the first. “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

“Let us all pray for this couple before the ceremony concludes.”

As Oliver kneeled in front of the vicar, he gently pulled Sophia down beside him. While the words of a prayer went on, he neglected to concentrate on them, so great was the urge to look at his new bride. Her face had paled, and tears sparkled on her cheeks, but she gave him a smile, and he reveled in that.

Thank you for making this sacrifice, she mouthed to him.

It is not a sacrifice. I am neither saving you nor myself, he mouthed back. Then, he put his lips to the shell of her ear and whispered in a barely audible voice, “I found myself enchanted with you and wished to make your last days as beautiful as you’ve made mine by merely existing.”

The tiny sound she made tugged at his heart. “Oh!”

Finally, the vicar’s prayer ended. When he stood and brought her up with him, Vicar Mitchell announced, “I now pronounce thee husband and wife. May God bless you and your days together.”

Polite applause broke out from the guests in the room. Hannah bounced out of her chair with a loud, “Huzzah!” The kitten, spooked by the sudden commotion, darted off to hide beneath a sofa.

Regent, however, lifted his head and bayed like only a beagle could.

Laughter broke out through the room.

Oliver grinned. He scarcely felt his feet on the floor as he took Sophia’s hand, brought it to his lips, and then kissed her middle knuckle. “Congratulations, my lady. I am so proud to call you my wife.”

“You do look ready to burst from it.” But she returned his grin. “It’s such a lovely day.”

The vicar smiled at them both. “If you’ll just step over to where my clerk is waiting, there is a paper you need to sign.”

“Of course.” Oliver pulled her hand through the crook of his arm. “Truly, you have made me the happiest of men today.” There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.

“Aw, Oliver, you deserve so much more than I can give you.” She brushed at the moisture on her cheeks. “I am so grateful to you.” Though tears still swam in her eyes, she pointed with her free hand to a small, pink enamel hair pin in her tresses. “My father gave this to me on the eve of my first wedding. It means that hope springs eternal, to never lose my dreams. That is what you represent as well.”

His chest tightened. A wad of emotions stuck in his throat. “We’ll go together into the future. You are not alone, sweeting.”

Before they reached the clerk’s location, Hannah ran over and hugged her mother. “I’m so happy you married Mr. Mattingly!” She glanced at him as her stomach rumbled. “Might we go into luncheon now? I’m famished.”

Oliver chuckled while Sophia nodded. “Go ahead. It appears the family is heading out to the lawn as we speak.”

After they’d signed the register and thanked the vicar for his services as well as invited him and his clerk to the meal, he took Sophia into his arms. “I’m afraid I don’t know quite what to do now. I’ve never had a wife, you see.” Though having her close sent acute awareness prickling through his body.

“I’m certain you can figure out what comes next.” Sophia held his head between her palms and touched her lips to his. “After all, you are a clever man.”

With a soft groan, he settled her more comfortably in his arms, and just when he would have spent the next few minutes kissing her senseless, Hannah bolted into the room. “Are you coming, Mr. Mattingly? I want to sit next to you.”

He laughed and pressed his forehead to Sophia’s. “Well, I suppose I shall come in quite a different way later.” It was a bittersweet moment, for he couldn’t forget theirs was not a marriage of a long lifetime. When his wife snorted and a blush stained her cheeks, he pulled away to glance at his new daughter. “I shall be delighted to indulge you, Hannah.”

Every step he made now would prove a new adventure, though he hoped they would all manage to weather the impending heartbreak with courage.

---