Page 49 of Pursuing Mr. Mattingly

Sophia nodded. “If I asked myself that question five days ago, the answer would have been no.” She pressed her lips together as she pondered. “But now?” They had connected deeply on a soul level in the attic, and it had been both wonderful and frightening. “Yes, I believe I am in love with my husband. What he’s done for me, sacrificed for both me and Hannah…” A sigh escaped her. “It’s incredible.”

And she hadn’t had nearly enough time with him.

“I’m happy to hear that. Mr. Mattingly is an incredible person.” Her mother smiled. “When I’d told area gentry and a few members of the ton that the ambassador had married my daughter, so many of them had said you were fortunate indeed, for there was no man quite like Oliver. That he’s honorable and forthright and willing to help anyone he comes across.”

“All traits a woman searches for in a husband.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I don’t want to leave him, Mama. I don’t want to leave any of you.”

“I know.” Her mother sprang off the chair, closed the distance, and held Sophia’s head to her while she stroked a hand up and down her back. “But he’s right. You mustn’t spend the remainder of your time thinking on the moment when you truly will leave. There is much living yet to do, and you can still be a bright spot in all our lives until then. Enjoy being his wife.”

Sophia rapidly blinked away the tears lest they fall and spot the gown. “I intend to dance at least one set tonight if I can.”

“And so you should.” Her mother smiled down at her. “It’s a pity the rain has returned. The terrace would have been a nice distraction.”

“There are other places where couples can disappear to for a few minutes.” It was one of the reasons Sophia loved balls and society events. The other being the need to don pretty gowns and wear sparkling jewels. “Since my toilette is finished and I’m wearing what has to be one of the most gorgeous gowns I’ve ever seen, perhaps we should go down and greet guests.”

Her mother nodded. “We should.”

As Sophia rose to her feet, she sighed. “This can easily be the last ball I’ll attend, Mama, and I intend to enjoy it until the end.” Though her voice wavered on the last word, she lifted her chin and gave her mother a bright smile.

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, but before she could answer it, the panel swung open, and Oliver came into the room, and dressed as he was like a highwayman, she couldn’t help but admire him.

“Good heavens, Sophia.” He stared at her with awe in his expression. “I thought you beautiful before, but just now, you are incredible.”

“Oh!” Her cheeks heated. “How nice of you to say, and you are quite something too.”

“I’ll leave the two of you alone,” her mother said on her way to the doorway with a smile. “Don’t linger, else I’ll send Arthur up here after you.”

Oliver didn’t waste any time. He tugged her into his arms and dropped a gentle kiss to her lips. The wide brim of his cavalier hat bumped against her forehead. Then he held her a bit away in order to rake his gaze up and down her form, and his eyes darkened behind his black domino mask. It was quite comical, for he wore his spectacles over the mask, which completely gave away his identity. “The persona of a princess was a good choice. You are suited to royalty.”

A laugh escaped her. “I don’t know about that.” She plucked a bit of lint from the shoulder of his dark cape. “However, you are every bit a highwayman. In fact, this style of clothing is wonderful on you.” The black silk waistcoat provided a pleasant contrast to his white lawn shirt with the loose, flowing sleeves. He’d even worn the red sash at his waist. “I especially like the boots.” Somehow, with them—and good heavens, where had he procured the rapier slung low about his hips?—it seemed as if he’d stepped out of a story book merely to dance a waltz with her before he disappeared into the mists of time at midnight.

“Perhaps I’ll spirit you away to a dark corner and try to steal a kiss from you before the night is over.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or something else if we’re afforded good enough privacy.”

“You are incorrigible, Ambassador.” But she adored that about him.

“Or is it that I merely like my wife so incredibly much that I simply need to be everywhere she is?” He swept her into the first few steps of a waltz before escorting toward the door. “Truly, though, I’m glad for this chance to show the area notables that I’ve won you and that I’m proud to have you on my arm.”

Her heart trembled while tingles sailed down her spine. “What am I going to do with you?” She grabbed her lace-edged masquerade mask on the way from her room.

“I believe I’ve already given you a few ideas,” he whispered and then he nuzzled her neck as they made their way along the corridor. “If you still don’t know, reserve a dance for me, and I’ll be the happiest of men.”

“Of course.” She clung to his hand. The evening would prove bittersweet, for no matter how much fun there would be had, eventually, the hands of time would advance her closer to the day where she would need to leave him.

As soon as they gained the lower floor, Hannah bounded over to them. The skirts of her pink and sage gown billowed out behind her, but the most shocking thing about her were double wings like a moth attached to her shoulders and made with wire and tulle.

“Do you like my costume, Mama?” The girl twirled so they could both have the full effect of the gown. “I’m a fairy tonight instead of what I would have been.”

“It’s a lovely change.” Sophia touched a finger to one of the wings. “Where did these come from?”

“Uncle Gilbert and Oliver constructed them.” She shot a grin at him. He returned the gesture as if he were a child himself. “Aren’t they wonderful?”

“They are, and I’m quite impressed.” Sophia waved at Arthur, who came out of the ballroom. “Let’s go see how many people are already here. Then we shall peruse the refreshments room to see what sort of edibles we’ll look forward to.” When Oliver chuckled beside her, she nudged him with her elbow. “None of that, else it will be all I think about tonight.”

“As if that is a bad thing,” he whispered while they strolled toward the ballroom. The sound of laughter and conversation grew louder the closer they came. “Can I help it that I’m completely enamored?”

He was certainly good for her ego as well as her heart. Everything was so easy with him, as if he enhanced life around him.

“Come, you silly man. Let me introduce you to a few of my friends.” If she were to die early, at least she would enjoy every second she had remaining, just as her father had done.

And she would hope those she left behind would choose to remember her fondly instead of drowning in grief.

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