Lady Sophia,
Please join your daughter and me in the wildflower field located just off the lane that leads to Ettesmere Park at half past two this afternoon. You deserve a peaceful outing in the sunshine while we have it. Beyond that, Hannah and I will have a surprise for you that will further help to usher in relaxation.
Yours respectfully,
Mr. Mattingly
How very interesting! What did the man have planned, and why had Hannah gone along with him? As she put the note back into the envelope, she drifted to the window and glanced out. Her brothers had left the area. Perhaps it was time to focus quite selfishly on herself and live the remainder of her life for her own happiness and that of her daughter’s. She hadn’t the luxury of delay or dancing about the issue of a possible romance.
It would either happen or it wouldn’t, and since there was a heated attraction already between her and the ambassador, logic dictated she should chase it. It’s time to trust fate. After all, hadn’t she done just that with her first two husbands? Sophia grinned as she left the morning room. Love needn’t be involved, not at this abbreviated pass, but there did need to be a bond of trust there if she wished to consider him as a third husband.
Now, what to wear that might entice another kiss from the ambassador? Only then would she know whether to beguile him into a marriage of convenience.
For Hannah’s sake.
*
At the appointedtime, Sophia strolled down the lane toward the wildflower meadow mentioned in the note. There, beneath the shade of a large oak tree, was Hannah, who sat upon an old quilt that had been spread out over the meadow grass and flowers. Mr. Mattingly approached the area from the direction of the public road. He carried a willow basket in one hand, and when he spied her, he waved with his other.
Silly flutters moved through her belly. This man wasn’t of the same bent as her previous husbands. They’d been military men who lived life on a rigorous schedule and followed orderly existences. The ambassador on the other hand apparently went where the wind—and the whim—took him. He did whatever he pleased and seemed to wish only to make the people around him comfortable and at ease.
“Hullo, Mama.” Hannah beamed as Sophia reached the quilt. “Isn’t it a lovely day?”
For the first time in a long while, her daughter didn’t have sadness or worry in her eyes. Was that due to the arrival of Mr. Mattingly or was she truly pushing past the grief she’d been inundated with in her young life?
“Indeed, it is. I cannot remember when the sky was so blue nor bereft of clouds.” When Hannah patted the quilt beside her, Sophia gratefully sat and arranged her stamped muslin skirts over her folded legs. The dress was a fast favorite, for it featured lines of green ivy vines alternating with lines of pink and mauve tulips. Soft lace lined the scooped bodice as well as the short sleeves. She’d left the house without bonnet or gloves, but life was exceedingly short to observe the conventions now. Then she glanced at Mr. Mattingly, and her breath caught. Truly, he was a handsome man in a fresh-faced, innocent sort of way. “Good afternoon, Ambassador.”
“Hello, Lady Sophia.” He set the basket down near Hannah and a mysterious glance passed between them. Then he gave her his full attention. “For now, we’ll enjoy a brief rest in the shade. Perhaps once we stroll back toward the manor, you can tell me about some of your favorite places on the property. Hannah has told me all of hers.”
The smooth baritone of his voice coupled with the enticing scent of his shaving soap, as well as the impeccable way he dressed that always seemed a tad more casual than an English gentleman, all worked to strengthen that invisible pull between them.
“We could do that, certainly.” She eyed the basket that she swore had moved slightly. “Is that a picnic lunch?”
Hannah snorted. “No, Mama. Mr. Mattingly has given us gifts.”
“Oh?” A shiver went down her spine. What was he about? “You might as well show me what’s in the basket.”
The ambassador grinned, and her brief foreboding faded. It was silly to feel as if she might lose herself in a man’s smile. “I hope you like them. Last night as I was talking with some of the stable boys, I discovered one of the tenants had a litter of them. I knew right away this was the perfect thing for both you and Hannah. May they bring joy to you as well as comfort.” So saying, he unlatched the lock from the top of the basket, moved off the lid, and as soon as he did, two little kitten heads popped up from the interior.
“How lovely!” As much as she appreciated the gift—for the kittens were adorable—thread of anger and sadness twisted down her spine, but she did her level best to not let her daughter see that. Instead, she lifted out one of the orange brindled felines with beautiful golden eyes and immediately put it into her lap. When it began to purr, she smiled. “This is appreciated. Thank you.”
Hannah took the other kitten from the basket. This one was all white except for its ears and paws, which were orange striped. “Are they so cute?” She hugged the cat and then dropped a kiss on the top of its head. “Mr. Mattingly asked if I’d like to go have a look, and when I did, I had to have them, for the others were already spoken for.” When she turned those big eyes on Sophia and looked soulfully at her, there was no chance to turn down the gift. “May we keep them?”
“I suppose we ought, for it would be rude not to.” Absently, she stroked the kitten’s head. “But you must be mindful of them. They will be your responsibility.”
“I will, Mama.” The kitten Hannah held sprang from her lap and darted off the quilt to investigate the grass. “Oh, he’s getting away!” Then the girl scrambled to her feet and chased after the errant feline, leaving Sophia alone with the ambassador.
“Mr. Mattingly, I—”
“Oliver,” he interrupted with amusement dancing in his gray eyes.
“What?”
“My name is Oliver. It would make me happy if you would make use of it.”
“Oh.” The name sent delicious tingles down her spine. She nodded. “Very well. Oliver, I must tell you that I’m a bit annoyed with you right now.”
“Whyever for?” Genuine confusion lined his face. “They are kittens, not a threat to England.”