Page 40 of Pursuing Mr. Mattingly

“I see. Sounds straightforward enough.” He glanced over his shoulder at Sophia, who surreptitiously wiped at the moisture from beneath one of her eyes. “To that end, I might prove a challenge for you.”

“We shall see, Mr. Mat… er, Oliver.” Her grin was blinding. “I’m quite good.”

Two teams were formed. Sophia ended up on the one opposite him, with the earl and Julianna. His team consisted of Hannah, Gilbert, and Emily. Ettesmere’s son declined to participate. Instead, he opted to sit next to Julianna’s elderly father, for a handful of chairs brought out to the lawn for the occasion.

When the earl produced two shuttlecocks, he asked, “Is everyone ready?” He then handed one to Oliver. “On the count of three, toss the shuttlecock up, and then we’ll continue on until we have a survivor from each team.”

Oliver looked about the gathering. It was exceedingly odd to have people to spend time with, and his chest swelled with gratitude.

“Three, two… one!”

The two white feathered shuttlecocks were in play, and everyone took turns hitting the objects and making them stay aloft.

Minutes went by in pleasant exercise before Gilbert missed a hit due to stumbling from his limp. Oliver followed a couple of hits later, as did Sophia, and then Arthur let one of the shuttlecocks drop. That meant Julianna and Hannah were the team winners and went up against each other. The grin on Hannah’s face and her infectious laughter that echoed through the area buoyed his spirits.

Calls of encouragement went up for both players. At his side, Sophia hopped up and down much like her daughter did when in high spirits.

“You can do it, Hannah!” Twin spots of color decorated her cheeks. Had the exercise overtaxed her? Should he suggest she lie down?

Julianna squealed as she darted to hit the shuttlecock before it touched the ground. Apparently, the fat beagle took that as a sign of distress from his mistress, for he barked and ran toward her. Before either of them could do anything about his intrusion, Regent jumped, snatched the shuttlecock from the air, and then ran off with it clutched in his jaws.

“I guess that means the match was a tie?” Oliver chuckled at the look of outrage on Hannah’s face. “There can always be a new game.”

“Oh, that dog!” She threw down her racket and proceeded to give chase to the beagle.

Laughter circled through the company.

Sophia laid a hand on his arm. “She is such a spitfire.” A giggle escaped her. “You will have a challenge ahead of you.” Her amusement faltered. “I will miss participating in life as well as seeing how the two of you are getting on.”

“None of that sort of talk right now.” Oliver took the racket from her hand. He dropped them both on the lawn while the other players discussed the possibility of another game. “This time is for enjoyment and happiness, remember.”

“It’s difficult.” The words sounded as if forced through a tight throat. “Soon, there will be… nothing.”

“Come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To stroll the property, unless you are over tired from your exertions already.” Worry knotted the muscles in his belly. He needed to take better care of her.

“I’m fine, but perhaps we can stay in the vicinity? I’d rather not miss the family antics.” The longing in her eyes tugged at his heart.

“I understand.” Shoving aside his disappointment at a chance of being alone with her, Oliver led her to one of the chairs, and once she’d settled, he sat beside her. “Were you much like Hannah at her age?”

“Sometimes.” Sophia took his hand and held it. “Having two brothers didn’t help, I suppose. When we were in London, I had no choice but to act the proper young lady. Mama saw to that, and Papa expected it. I was nothing more than a pretty doll.” She shrugged. “But here in the country, while we were at Ettesmere Park, there were no rules to follow. That glorious freedom, I remember it fondly. There was such a feeling of being deliciously drunk on it.”

“I can just imagine.” He brushed the pad of his gloved thumb over the back of her hand. “When the boys went out on adventures, it was only fair that you followed.”

“Of course.” When she shivered, that tremble transferred to him. “Such things we played at! We went swimming in the ponds, fished in the creeks, climbed trees, rode bareback, spent days doing nothing except lying in the meadows and watching the clouds.” The tendons in her throat worked with a hard swallow. “None of us had any idea at that point what life would hold for us, or how death and grief would mar our existences.”

“And neither should it. Childhood should be exempt from all that.” He continued with his gentle strokes. “It’s why I want to ensure the rest of Hannah’s childhood is as carefree as it can be. Already, I feel her soul is older than her years, and I don’t want her to lose the magic she’s capable of by being lost to mourning and responsibilities that shouldn’t be hers just yet.”

“I’m so glad you are here.” A tear escaped to her cheek. She glided her thumb along the side of his hand, leaving heated awareness behind. “Hannah will have an amazing life with you.”

He didn’t want her to cry or think of her abbreviated future, but it was inevitable she would. Mostly, Oliver wished he could take her in his arms and hold her regardless of the company. “That is my hope. I will, of course, remain in London most of the year, but I do wish for her to travel with me. There is no better education than seeing the world firsthand and recognizing one’s privilege.”

“I want her to make a difference, to use her position to help instead of spoil.” Over and her, she caressed that tiny spot on his hand. Truly, he would go mad touching her but not able to show his affection.

“Agreed.” As those gathered on the lawn got up another bout, he sighed. “Hannah’s generation will see great changes in England, I believe, as well as around the world. Imagine what advances and inventions will be made in twenty years.”

“It will be glorious. I hope you’ll live every day to the fullest. In remembrance of me.”

From two chairs down, a choking sort of sound issued from the young lordling. “For Jove’s sake, Ambassador, kiss the woman, or at the very least, hold her in your arms. You are only just married, and due to circumstances, stuck here.” Exasperation rang in his tones. “Hang the conventions and proprieties. See needs you right now, and women shouldn’t have to bear the weight of the world alone.”

When he peered into Sophia’s face, saw that blatant emotion in her eyes, his reserve crumbled. “Perhaps you have the right of it, Charles.” With a gentle tug on her hand, he encouraged his wife to sit upon his lap with her legs hanging over the side of his, modestly covered by her skirting. “In a moment, I’m going to suggest calling for tea right here on the lawn. The day is too lovely to waste by passing it inside.”

“Perhaps later we could form a walking party and explore the maze?” She rested one hand on his chest while the other she furrowed in the hair at his nape.

“Your wish is my command.” With a nod of thanks to the younger man, Oliver slipped his arms about Sophia and held her close. Not even the look of shock from the earl could mar the perfection of the moment. “If it makes you happy, that’s what we’ll do.”

And wasn’t that the reason he’d married her to begin with?

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