Dear, dear Hannah.
“Agreed, on all counts.” Oliver came swiftly to her side and slipped an arm about her waist. “Come and sit. This conversation is proving taxing and quite vexing,” her murmured in a low voice that soothed her frazzled nerves.
Grateful for his presence, she nodded. “Thank you.” Sophia let him lead her to a chair, and when she sat, he stood slightly behind her with a hand resting on her shoulder. That gentle contact, that reminder of his unwavering presence, that simple sign of possession, ushered in more calm than deep breaths ever could. Then she stared down her brothers as a wave of exhaustion swept through her. “If you take issue with him, voice those concerns, for I will refuse to hear them once this conversation concludes.”
Never had she been forceful with her family, but if there was ever a time to guide the direction of her own life, it was now.
“Perhaps I should say something before that happens.” Oliver’s voice was clear and steady. So easily could she imagine him orating in a room full of heads of state and peers high on the instep. “From the first moment I saw Lady Sophia, I knew our paths would not only cross but impact each other.” He met the gazes of her family members as he pushed his spectacles higher up on the bridge of his nose. “While I can appreciate the concern from this unexpected announcement, please know I asked for her hand because, quite simply, she needs me.”
For the first time, Gilbert spoke. “But she has us. You she’s only known inside a week.” He thumped the floor with the tip of his cane.
“This is all true, of course.” For a few seconds, Oliver paused. When the kitten escaped Hannah’s hold and meandered over to him, he smiled while it twined about his legs. “However, when I put that ring upon your sister’s finger, I knew a deep contentment I’d never experienced before. It gives me great pleasure to know I’m caring for Sophia in her hour of need and that I can step in and be the surrogate father Hannah requires.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I now have a family, Your Lordship, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them. Don’t discount that.” He glanced at her. “And perhaps I need her in my life, too.”
Apparently, her brothers weren’t appeased by the impassioned speech. Arthur slowly shook his head. “Regardless of how he makes you feel or how he feels about you, the man is a stranger.”
“But—”
Gilbert snorted as he rested his brandy glass on a nearby table. “Better than knowing someone for years only to discover they have betrayed you and have fallen out of love.”
Oh, dear Lord!
“Enough!” Sophia’s hands shook so she curled them into her skirting. “Enough, boys.” A wave of exhaustion slammed into her. “I will remind you that neither of you are my keepers and that I’m old enough to know my own mind. Actually, I have since I was Emily’s age.” It had always been like that. Willful, yes. Stubborn, of course. Inherently able to understand how to move her life forward in a way that would make her happy.
Absolutely.
When she was certain she once more had the attention of everyone in the room, Sophia sighed, lifted a hand, and touched Oliver’s that still rested on her shoulder, borrowed that warmth and strength. “From all that I’ve seen, Oliver is clever, kind, and resourceful. He’s been responsible and respectful toward me as well as Hannah, and he is not without an income.” Though she smiled up at him, the urge to cast up her accounts grew strong. “The ambassador is educated and well-traveled. Under his wing, Hannah’s future will be incredibly bright.”
Confusion skated across Arthur’s face. “But Sophia—”
“No.” She took a deep breath and let it ease out. The ache in her chest intensified, and it terrified her. Please don’t let me die tonight. “Let me finish. Additionally, as I said before, there is a connection—an attraction—between us, and this marriage will only be for a short time.” Her voice broke, and as hot tears sprang to her eyes, she rapidly blinked them back. “Please, you are my family and I love you all, but I am asking you to let me enjoy the days I have remaining to me in the manner to which I see fit.” When she pressed her lips together, she pored over her next words. “I want you to let Hannah spend time with him as well. And why shouldn’t I be as happy, feel wanted—even desired—as I can be until the end? If I find that with Oliver, where is the harm?”
Regent uttered a low woof of approval.
“And we will be married, so that is less scandal upon the family name,” she added in a soft voice.
At least Arthur had the decency to appear embarrassed. He glanced everywhere but at her before meeting her gaze. “I suppose if it were me facing the same circumstances that you are, I would feel the same.”
She nodded and relief shuddered down her spine.
“I, for one, think it’s a lovely idea.” Her mother stood. “Shame on you boys for arguing with her. Sophia doesn’t need that right now, and such added worry will only hasten her demise.” After she skirted around the table, she tugged Sophia to her feet. “I’m glad you won’t be alone in your last days. No doubt facing each night with no one to talk to is making the situation worse.”
“Yes.” Her chin quivered. Finally, someone understood. “The dark is terrifying at times. More so now than when I was a child.” She had always been fearful of the night, for it clouded the familiar and rendered it strange.
“Your father used to tell me the same thing occasionally. There is something comforting about knowing there is someone next to you in the shadows that will hold you and beat back your fears.” When her mother embraced her, a soft cry issued from Sophia’s throat, and she hugged her back. “I would say you could make use of the countess suite, for no one is using it, but Arthur will be married soon, and I shall need to relocate.”
“Don’t worry about any of that right now.” She pushed out of her mother’s embrace. “The manor is large enough that we’ll rub along well enough, and if we don’t, we can always return to London.”
For long moments, her mother peered into her eyes. Then she nodded. “I trust you know what you’re doing.”
“I do.” Didn’t she? Yet those walls remained firmly around her heart even if they were starting to crumble.
“Very well.” Then her mother looked at Oliver. “When will you wed my daughter, Ambassador?”
“That is something we need the earl’s assistance with.” He glanced at Arthur, who looked back with narrowed eyes. “But I must warn you, with or without your help, I still intend to wed Sophia. My position on that won’t change, and neither will the obstacles prevent me from achieving the goal. If we need to relocate to America in order to do it, we will.”
How brave he was in the face of her family’s opposition! Sophia glided to Oliver’s side. Daring much, she took his hand in hers and threaded their fingers together. Both Hannah and Emily smiled while Gilbert returned to his seat and Charles assumed an expression of deep boredom. “Since Oliver is an American, he will no doubt require a special audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury regarding this usual circumstance to wed.”
Understanding creased Arthur’s face. “Well, damn. It didn’t occur to me that there might be an issue in that quarter.”