“Jasper taught me how to shoot when he watched over us at the cottage,” Lady Sarah admitted. “But do not get angry at him since I asked him to. I was tired of running from Isaac. I wanted to fight back, if I was given the chance.”
Winston glanced over at Mattie, his expression softening. “You are both safe, and that is all that matters.”
Mattie smiled at him. “Thank you for saving me,” she said, feeling immense gratitude for the man beside her.
He returned her smile, his eyes full of warmth. “I will always save you, Mattie, now and forever.”
She felt a blush creep up her neck as they stared at one another, the intensity of their connection making her heart race. This man was her future. She was sure of that.
Lady Sarah’s voice brought her back to the present. “I am worried how Matthew will react to the news that his father is dead.”
Winston met his aunt’s gaze with concern. “Would you like for me to be present when you tell him?”
“I would like that very much,” Lady Sarah replied, her words filled with relief. “Isaac was a monster, but he still was Matthew’s father.”
“My family will be there for you during this difficult time,” Winston remarked with determination in his voice.
Lady Sarah nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “I am pleased to get to know each one of you, especially Elodie,” she said. “Does she truly eavesdrop on every conversation?”
“Just about,” Winston respondedwith a chuckle.
“Lionel has told me about each one of you, and I can see why he is so proud of his children,” Lady Sarah remarked.
Winston shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I doubt he is very proud of me.”
Mattie could hear the pain in his words and she was about to respond, but Lady Sarah spoke first. “Why would you say that?”
With a shrug, Winston responded, “I am just a barrister.”
Lady Sarah’s brow lifted, her expression one of disbelief. “Just a barrister?” she asked. “You have quite the reputation in London, and I hear that you are a landowner as well.”
“Yes, but it is merely a sheep farm,” Winston said.
Leaning forward in her seat, Lady Sarah held Winston’s gaze, her eyes earnest. “For being such a clever man, you have failed to see what is right in front of you. Your father and mother are immensely proud of you, and the person that you have become. I can hear it in their voices and see it in their eyes.”
Mattie turned her head, watching as Winston’s eyes grow moist. She knew how he had fought for their approval, not realizing he had had it all along.
“Thank you, Aunt Sarah,” Winston said softly before turning his attention towards Mattie. “If you don’t mind, I think it is time that we finish that talk.”
“Now?” Mattie asked.
Winston reached up and pounded on the top of the coach. In response, the coach came to a stop on the side of the road. He reached for the door handle and opened it. Once he stepped out, he offered his hand to assist her out. “Mattie?”
Mattie slipped her hand into his and exited the coach, her heart pounding in anticipation. Winston took her hand and placed it into the crook of his arm, leading her towards the direction of her cottage.
“Now, where were we?” Winston asked, his voice tender and full of promise.
Chapter Twenty
As Winston led Mattie towards her family’s cottage, he tried to recall the speech he had rehearsed in his head countless times. He knew that Mattie cared for him; she had said as much. But his feelings went far deeper. He loved her with everything he was and everything he would be.
Despite his best efforts to recall his speech, he found himself at a loss for words, something he was not accustomed to. Mattie glanced over at him and smiled, making him remember what he was fighting for.
He stopped and gently turned Mattie to face him. “I know this might not be the ideal time to say such things, but I cannot remain silent any longer,” he said, his voice steady with determination. “I need to tell you how I feel about you.”
“I am listening,” Mattie responded, her eyes encouraging him to continue.
Winston took a deep breath before saying, “When we were growing up, I despised you. You were always underfoot, and I used to hide from you. The more I got to know you, the more I was sure that you would always be my nemesis.”
