Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,117

on his chest. “It is unpleasant but not insurmountable. I believe Mama is jealous of all her daughters in some form or another. She was equally unpleasant when my sisters received gentlemen callers.” She paused, leaning her head to the side as she considered it. “Perhaps she is a little more so because of the history between our parents, but it is of no concern.”

Oliver looked at her hand as her fingers ran along the edges of his lapels. Bringing up his free hand, he laid it atop hers. “How am I to bear your absence?”

Her expression tightened, her lips trembling as she stared at his collar. “We will make do.”

Oliver dropped his head, thinking over all the many times he had contemplated this parting. “Will we?”

“Can we not try?”

The tremulous question had his head raising again to meet Sophie’s gaze, but her eyes were fixed on his chest. With a gentle finger, Oliver nudged her chin upwards, forcing her gaze to his. He’d pondered this moment, imagining what he would do, and one course of action returned to his thoughts again and again. Though he’d intended to wait a while longer, this moment felt all too right to ignore.

“I did not mean for us to surrender,” he murmured with a tender smile. “But I cannot stand the thought of us parting on such uncertain footing. At present, I cannot even write to you without raising eyebrows.”

Sinking to his knees, Oliver gazed at his Sophie, her sweet hand clasped in his. “I’ve wanted to speak to you about this so many times, but I feared you would think me impetuous. Our time together may be of short duration, but I feel as though I know your heart as well as my own.”

Turning her hand in his, he pressed a kiss to her palm. “Will you—?”

Sophie interrupted his words by launching herself into his arms, nearly taking them both to the ground. Her lips connected with his and Oliver reveled in her love. He’d never known his heart could be so full, and it thumped against his chest, beating in time with his dear Sophie’s.

“Am I to assume that is a ‘yes’?” he whispered.

But Sophie’s wide smile was the only answer she gave, and Oliver’s grew to match hers. Releasing her, he grabbed a blade of grass from the field and lifted her left hand, twisting the strip of green around her ring finger.

“You deserve a proper ring, but I haven’t had the opportunity—”

“It’s perfect,” she said, leaning into him as he tied the knot. Weaving their fingers together, Sophie shifted to his side so she could lean her head against his shoulder.

Resting his head against hers, Oliver pressed a kiss to her hair and whispered, “I couldn’t agree more.”

If not for the fact that his family was expecting, Oliver would’ve remained precisely where they were. But knowing that the ties binding them were more than those of a mere courtship gave him a sense of peace over the impending separation. Neither of their hearts or intentions were in any doubt.

Though they passed several moments enjoying the bliss of their engagement, there was only so much time they could spend there together before his parents sent out a search party. Helping his espoused to her feet, Oliver pressed one more kiss to her cheek before tucking her arm through his and meandering home; his family may be waiting, but that did not mean he had to hurry.

Leading Sophie through the front door, Oliver spared a moment to imagine the day when he would bring his wife home—to their home. Sophie gave him a beaming smile, and he wondered if she were picturing it as well, but they arrived in the parlor before he could ask and found not only his family but Miss Caswell and Mr. Dixon.

“Mr. Kingsley,” said Miss Caswell, as the whole group came to their feet in greeting. “I am so glad to have caught you. I was afraid we’d not see you before my family leaves for London.”

Taking Mr. Dixon by the arm, she glanced at the gentleman with a beaming smile.

“Am I to assume all has resolved itself to your satisfaction?” asked Oliver with a grin of his own. The question was quite redundant, for the young lady clung to Mr. Dixon’s arm, her eyes glittering with a joy he’d never seen before from her.

“We have not announced anything formally as of yet,” she said with a coy tone.

“Congratulations!” said Sophie, pulling free to embrace Miss