Profound and utter silence met her announcement.
Then, it was as if everyone became animated at once. Her brothers sprang to their feet with protests on their lips. Hannah bounced out of her chair with a smile and sparkling eyes. Charles and Emily exchanged looks of shock, while her mother leveled a speculative gaze on her. Regent stood and barked, whether in agreement or dissuasion or just plain excitement, she hadn’t a clue.
“What do you mean you intend to marry the ambassador?” It was Arthur who found his voice before the rest. “The man only just arrived here a handful of days ago, and now you think yourself in love?”
“I never said we were in love.” The muscles in Sophia’s stomach pulled. “I merely said we would marry.”
Hannah jumped up and down in place. “I saw them kissing yesterday in the maze!”
Oh, dear.“Dearest, that doesn’t mean—”
“You kissed him?” This was from her niece, Emily, who regarded her with wide eyes. “Was it terribly romantic?”
Sophia couldn’t help a tiny grin. “It was, actually.”
“You should see her ring,” Hannah said with a grin. “It’s shaped like a heart!”
“How I envy you and Julianna. Kissing is such a delicious way to pass the time,” Emily murmured with a blush on her cheeks. “Would that I—”
“Not now, Emily,” Arthur interrupted. “And you are quite too young for all that.” He shook his head, disbelief in his eyes as he focused again on her. “I cannot believe you’d do something like this, Sophia. What the devil has prompted this decision? The marrying, not the kissing thing.” He set his brandy glass on a nearby rose-inlaid table. “It seems the height of irresponsible.”
That struck her as slight funny. “Doing this is exactly the definition of being responsible. When one is facing death, irresponsible is no longer at play.” She planted her hands on her hips, and when he didn’t appear convinced, she rushed onward. “How do you explain your own engagement? You knew Julianna for only a few weeks before you offered for her. And now you’ll wed her soon. Why is my situation any different?”
A red flush crept over her brother’s collar. “Because we are in love.” He glanced at his fiancée, who blushed but grinned. “It makes all the difference.”
“I agree. However, I am not afforded that sort of time. Love isn’t as instant as attraction or convenience.” Her voice wobbled; her chin quivered. “I supported you when you wished to court Julianna. Now I expect the same consideration from you.”
For the first time, Julianna spoke. A trace of tears pooled in her eyes as she encouraged the beagle to lay again at her feet. “Your sister is right, Arthur. She championed our match. We owe her our support. What does it matter how long they’ve known each other if the ambassador makes her happy?”
“Thank you.” Sophia looked at Oliver, who wore his concern like a garment. Her heart trembled, for that sort of hero was what she needed most in this moment. “Right now, it is enough there is some sort of heat between us. That is more than some couples share.” Belatedly, she remembered her daughter was still in the room, and her cheeks warmed. “Hannah, dearest, will you please leave the room for a moment? This discussion shouldn’t occur in front of you.”
“I won’t.” Her daughter shook her head, and of course, her stubborn streak decided to make a showing. “Your marriage directly concerns me and my future, so if Uncle Arthur wishes for a debate, I shall give him one.” She took the white kitten into her arms and petted it while glaring at her uncle.
Groans issued about the room, for everyone knew just how much a spitfire Hannah could be when riled. Sophia pressed her lips together to prevent laughing as she glanced at her brother and then her mother, who shrugged. Poor Oliver. He would have his hands full in the raising of her. And I will miss it all.
“The girl has a point,” her mother said with a nod. “Though the announcement did come as a surprise, I’m glad you’re taking steps to see to her care.”
“Thank you.” Having her mother’s tentative support didn’t alleviate the anxiety sitting heavily on her chest. “I know you’re concerned, Arthur, but please know I have thought much about it, even before the ambassador asked me. I had the thought of pursuing him before he did me.” She shrugged. “Marrying Oliver is the best decision I can make, for it settles Hannah’s future and makes the time remaining to me a bit less frightening. And I did wish to marry once more. Surely you can understand that.”
Perhaps those things were all that mattered.
“I’m only worried for your well-being.”
“As am I,” she admitted in a soft voice. “And I don’t mind telling you, what little remains of my future is terrifying. I believe Oliver can make it less so. Having a man to talk to and hold me when I’m at my lowest is what I need the most right now.”
“Ah, Sophia. I cannot imagine what you are feeling, and I sometimes forget.” Arthur’s expression softened. He locked eyes with Julianna, and then sighed. “Why do you feel the ambassador is the best match? When Mother threw that ball not long ago, surely there were other men that you connected with? Titled men, who could care for you until the end?”
Why did titled men assume women wanted, well, titled men? “I’m certain there were, yet none of them connected with me, and most of them looked at me with pity in their eyes when they discovered my circumstances. I refuse to allow that. However, when Oliver arrived at Ettesmere Park, there was a certain… spark about him, an immediate… something that is rather unexplainable.” But it had been the same thing she’d experienced when meeting her previous husbands. Instincts never lied. “He views life in an interesting way, and that speaks to my soul.” When she turned her attention to him and he grinned, flutters went through her lower belly. How much did she want to spirit him off to an unused room and do wicked things to him? “I believe he understands what I’m feeling and what I need just now.”
Some of that included baring various parts of their bodies and exploring with their mouths…
“Oh, Mama, that’s beautiful,” her daughter gushed, completely interrupting her naughty thoughts, and when Oliver smiled at the girl, a blush stained her youthful cheeks.
“Poppycock. Perhaps the stuff of fairy stories.” Arthur scoffed. “Surely that’s irresponsible—”
“No.” Sophia held up a hand and shook her head. In this, she would remain immovable. “It’s more irresponsible to do nothing and leave Hannah’s future up to fate. She is my first responsibility. And Oliver has her welfare uppermost in his mind. That speaks volumes.” Her chest tightened. She pressed a hand to her heart. Surely this wouldn’t be the shock that ushered in the end before she could do anything fun with the ambassador. “Yes, I know she has all of you, but you have your own lives and will soon be busy with them. And perhaps we all need the hope that fairy stories impart. God knows I could use a dose of that magic.”
“You would make an excellent princess, Mama,” Hannah said as she dropped a kiss on the kitten’s head. “You are already beautiful.”