Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,105

for her heart to be healed from this cruelty and that Sophie might know how to aid in it. But what was there to be done? What could one say? For good or ill, Lily had believed Miss Thompson and Miss Nelson to be her friends, and such a betrayal was not easily overcome.

Footsteps had Sophie straightening and rising to her feet. The phantom warnings of a headache told her she may not need to feign illness or fatigue to retire early.

But when the intruder came into view, Sophie saw her Mr. Kingsley striding towards her with purposeful steps. Moonlight glinted off his face, and his gaze connected with her in an unflinching hold. Sophie’s chest tightened at the thought of what might have happened to harden his expression in such a manner, but before she could question him, Mr. Kingsley drew her into his arms and kissed her.

Sophie’s eyes widened, but the fervor of his embrace cast aside any surprise as she lost herself in his touch. More than the passion emanating from him, Sophie reveled in the fervent need driving it. His heart shined, conveying far better than words the depth of his feelings. The power of her love swept through her, filling her with a strength and joy she’d never felt before.

This was where she belonged.

*

A lovesick haze flooded his brain, eradicating all thought but that of his Sophie. Oliver hadn’t expected to kiss her at this moment, but the sight of her swathed in moonlight was more than he could withstand. More than that, his heart could not go another moment without showing her just how precious she was to him.

The feel of her in his arms was far more enticing than he’d anticipated. His Sophie fit there so readily. So tenderly. Stepping into his embrace and life with such perfection that he could not imagine another lady who could match her.

The kiss slowed, but Oliver could not release his hold on her. Sophie gazed at him, her bright eyes shining in the moonlight, and Oliver held back a smile at the dazed expression on her face. With a feather-light touch, he pressed another kiss to her lips.

“I could not wait another moment to do that,” he whispered.

Sophie huffed with laughter, the sound somewhere between shock and silliness. “That was quite a greeting.”

Oliver shook his head. “It was a promise.” With raised brows, she sent him a silent question in response, so he added, “To love you all the days of my life.”

Sophie stilled. “You love me?”

Oliver raised a hand from her waist to caress her cheek. “How could I not?”

The corners of her lips curled upwards, her brows drawing together as she stared at him in amazement.

“I wished to rush in and exact vengeance on Lily’s behalf, but you stayed my hand and helped me to see what she truly needed,” he said, his fingers tracing the edge of her lips. “And beyond your obvious intelligence and knowledge—which never fails to astound me—you are endlessly kind, not from an incessant need to please or cower, but because your heart is that good.”

Sophie watched him, her breath caught in her lungs, but she relaxed once more. “And what of yourself? You, who was bent on sacrificing your happiness for your family and that of the Caswells? Marrying for obligation? Is that not kindness?”

Oliver rolled his eyes. “Idiocy, more like.”

“It is not idiocy to care for others,” she whispered. “And that is one of the many reasons I love you.”

His brows shot upwards, and Oliver couldn’t stop a silly grin from stretching across his face. “You love me?”

Sophie leaned forward, her lips brushing his as she turned his words around on him. “How could I not?”

***

Forcing herself not to rush, Mina strode through the hall. Where had Oliver gotten himself to? Amidst their efforts to get Lily into the carriage before anyone noticed her distress, her son had disappeared. Stopping at the edge of the ballroom, she cast a glance around, but instinct told her she would find him in the garden with Miss Banfield.

Not wanting to draw undue attention, she moved purposefully but without haste as she wound her way to the place she’d seen him last. Having the time to gather her thoughts and knowing she would likely find the couple away from curious listeners, Mina pondered what she ought to say. For there was much to address.

Stepping out into the night air, Mina cloaked herself in darkness, embracing the evening chill. The Nelsons had